Why Does a Chiropractor Check More Than the Area That Hurts?
You book an appointment because your lower back has been bothering you. You explain where it hurts, expecting the chiropractor to focus entirely on that area.
Instead, they ask about your hips, check how you move, assess your leg movement and perhaps look at how you bend or walk.
It can seem like an unusual amount of attention is being given to areas that do not hurt.
So why does this happen?
A chiropractor may examine areas beyond your immediate symptoms because muscles, joints and movement patterns work together. Looking at the surrounding areas can provide additional information that helps explain your symptoms and guide appropriate care.
This does not mean every painful area is caused by something elsewhere in the body. It simply means that understanding the broader movement picture can sometimes be useful.
Your body does not move in separate pieces
Think about something as simple as bending down to pick up a shopping bag.
Your lower back is involved, but so are your hips, knees, ankles and the muscles supporting your trunk.
If one area has limited movement, another area may contribute more to complete the task.
The same principle applies to many everyday activities, including:
reaching overhead
turning your head
climbing stairs
walking
lifting objects
getting in and out of a car
sitting down and standing up
These movements involve multiple joints and muscle groups working together.
That is why assessing only the location of pain may not always provide enough information.
Three reasons a chiropractor may check beyond your painful area:
1. The area that hurts may not tell the whole story
Pain is important, but its location does not always identify the structure responsible for it.
For example, someone experiencing discomfort around the outside of their hip may also have movement restrictions or symptoms involving their lower back.
This does not automatically mean the back is causing the hip pain.
However, examining both areas may help provide a clearer understanding of the person’s overall presentation.
Similarly, shoulder discomfort may need to be considered alongside neck movement, upper back mobility and shoulder function.
The goal is to investigate relevant possibilities rather than assume that the painful area tells the entire story.
2. Nearby joints influence how you move
Joints rarely work independently during everyday activities.
Consider your ankle.
When walking, your ankle needs to move appropriately as your foot contacts the ground and your body moves forward.
If ankle movement is limited, you may change the way you move through your foot, knee or hip.
This does not mean an ankle restriction automatically causes knee or hip pain.
It means that examining relevant neighbouring joints can help identify movement differences that may be worth considering.
3. Your muscles work together to support movement
Muscles do not operate in isolation.
When you lift something, several muscle groups contribute to controlling the movement and managing the load.
For example, lifting a heavy object involves more than your lower back. Your hips, legs, abdominal muscles and upper body all contribute.
An assessment may therefore include looking at relevant muscle strength, coordination and movement control.
This helps provide information about how comfortably and effectively you perform particular activities.
Does pain in one area always come from somewhere else?
No.
This is an important distinction.
Although other parts of the body can influence movement and symptoms, the painful area itself may still be the main source of the problem.
For example, someone with shoulder pain may have a shoulder condition that requires direct assessment and management.
Similarly, knee pain may relate to structures within the knee rather than a problem in the hip or lower back.
A broader assessment should not become an excuse to make unsupported claims about one body part causing another person’s pain.
The findings need to be interpreted in the context of your symptoms, medical history and examination.
What if the chiropractor finds something that does not hurt?
You may discover that one side of your body moves differently from the other or that a particular joint has less movement than expected.
That does not automatically mean it needs treatment.
People naturally have differences in flexibility, strength and movement.
An examination finding is only useful when considered alongside your symptoms, functional needs and overall health.
If your chiropractor identifies something relevant, they should explain why it matters and discuss whether any action is appropriate.
You should never feel that every difference found during an examination automatically requires treatment.
Why does a broader assessment matter before treatment?
Before recommending care, your chiropractor needs to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic management is appropriate.
A broader examination can help with:
identifying relevant movement limitations
understanding how symptoms relate to everyday activities
recognising signs that require further investigation
considering suitable management options
establishing meaningful goals
deciding whether referral to another healthcare professional is appropriate
Treatment recommendations should be based on your individual presentation.
You should also have the opportunity to ask questions, understand the proposed approach and provide informed consent before treatment begins.
FAQ
Why does my chiropractor check my hips when I have lower back pain?
Your hips and lower back work together during activities such as bending, walking and lifting. Assessing hip movement may provide useful information about how you perform these activities and whether any movement limitations are relevant to your symptoms.
Can a problem in one part of the body cause pain somewhere else?
Sometimes. Pain can be referred from other structures, and movement or loading in one area can influence another. However, this depends on the individual condition, and pain in one area does not automatically mean another area is responsible.
Does a chiropractor need to examine my whole body?
Not necessarily. The examination should be relevant to your symptoms, medical history and clinical presentation. A chiropractor may assess areas beyond the painful location when those areas could provide useful information.
Does finding restricted movement mean something is wrong?
No. Differences in movement and flexibility are common. An examination finding needs to be considered alongside your symptoms and functional needs before deciding whether it requires attention.
Should I expect treatment on the first chiropractic appointment?
This depends on your individual circumstances and the clinic’s appointment structure. An initial appointment generally involves discussing your health history and completing an appropriate assessment. If treatment is considered suitable, your chiropractor should explain the options and obtain your consent.
What if my chiropractor thinks my pain needs another type of assessment?
If your symptoms or examination findings suggest another healthcare professional is better placed to investigate or manage your condition, referral may be recommended. This is an important part of appropriate patient care.
If you are experiencing ongoing back, neck or joint discomfort, understanding how your body moves can be an important part of an appropriate assessment. Wellbeing Chiropractic has clinics across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Book an appointment to discuss your symptoms, health history and movement, and explore care options suited to your individual circumstances.
