Functional short leg is a fairly common condition that typically occurs due to inflexibility or muscle weakness at the pelvis, ankle, and foot complex. Runners sometimes experience the condition when running over certain surfaces that are unstable or not level. It can also occur due to inappropriate footwear.
This condition can cause pain in the lower spine, hips, buttock, and leg. If left untreated, it can lead to balance issues, neck and shoulder problems, and incorrect weight distribution. Chiropractic care has been proven to effectively treat functional leg syndrome.
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Patients with a functional short leg have an apparent short leg although structurally both legs are the same length when measured. The most common method for measuring leg length is from the medial malleolus (inside ankle bone) to the ASIS (front of the pelvis). When the legs are measured in the case of a functional short leg, they are equal in length.
Mothers who always carry a child on one hip or individuals who always sleep on the same side can experience functional short leg syndrome. In fact, any movement, posture, or activity that causes increased stresses on the joints, nerves, and muscles involved can create an imbalance.
Where with functional short leg syndrome one leg is apparently shorter than the other but not structurally so, an anatomical short leg is structurally shorter. This can happen due to growth problems, structural issues, and curvature of the spine.
The differences between the two conditions are significant, particularly when it comes to treatment. Both conditions can be treated by chiropractic for pain. Functional short leg syndrome can greatly benefit from chiropractic care as it helps to realign the body.
Functional short leg syndrome symptoms can remain confined to the leg, lower back, and hip region, or it can affect the entire body. When walking it can affect the way your feet hit the ground, causing pain in the foot and ankle.
However, it can even affect how you chew your food and how your teeth come together. When a person has short leg syndrome, they will often adjust their body in order to compensate, but that is when the real problems start. Symptoms of functional short leg syndrome include:
The human body is a marvelous, mysterious machine. When part of the machine is not working properly, the body will naturally attempt to fix it. If it cannot fix the problem, it finds a work around to compensate for the problem. This can lead to misalignment of the spine and imbalance in the body.
When you go to a chiropractor for functional short leg, he or she will do a thorough exam on you including diagnostic tests like MRI and x-ray. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, the chiropractor will begin what is usually a multi-faceted approach that incorporates spinal alignment, a heel lift, lifestyle change recommendations, and exercises that you can do at home.
The chiropractic adjustments will return the spine to its natural position and bring the body back into balance. Patients will usually experience a dramatic decrease in pain or the pain will go away completely. They will also enjoy increased mobility and flexibility as well and an overall sense of wellness.
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The information herein on "Functional Short Leg And Chiropractic Care | El Paso, TX." is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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