You may think about your legs in terms of being long or short, based on your body’s structure and height, but have you ever considered if they are the same length as one another? Most people have not, as legs are generally close to the same length. But even an imperceptible difference in leg length can have an impact on the body, from muscle tension to a decrease in overall quality of life. Without correction, a condition called short leg syndrome can even develop. This is why you may hear your Billings chiropractor ask about leg length and evaluate it during a visit.
Why Leg Length Matters
One of the key underpinnings of our health is spinal alignment. When the spine is not aligned, it causes nerve interference and can lead to a variety of dysfunctions throughout the body, impacting overall function and health. While these misalignments can be shown in different ways, a discrepancy in leg length is a sure sign of spinal misalignment.
Our bodies seek to be balanced whenever possible, and this major imbalance can cause chaos. If the lower spine is unbalanced and causing this discrepancy, it will impact your whole spine up to your neck, which may try to move the opposite way to compensate. General discomfort is common when this happens, which can extend into other problems.
Health Risks of Uneven Legs
More than simple discomfort, having legs that are not the same length can lead to a range of problems, including short leg syndrome. Pain can extend to the knees, ankles, hips, and lower back, as well as the surrounding tissue. It is also likely to cause more misalignments that ultimately lead to other health issues, like chronic headaches and decreased immune function. The earlier that the discrepancy is addressed, the easier it will be to correct.
In rare cases, one leg can be anatomically shorter, which could be addressed with orthotics and other functional tools.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
When you visit Dr. Thomas Keogh at Bare Chiropractic, one of the first things he will look for is whether your legs appear to be even. This can be a huge clue to your spine’s health and will help direct the rest of your care plan. With this information, which is known as a leg length inequality assessment, we will be able to identify neurological disturbances and guide adjustments.
Once the underlying issues have been identified, it can guide your care. The first goal will be to even out the legs, which will indicate proper alignment of the spine. From there, any underlying conditions can be identified and addressed. This may include regular adjustments and lifestyle changes, like improving posture, which can prevent the recurrence of issues. It is even possible that some degenerative diseases related to your spine can be reversed by this care.
If you are suffering from pain or believe you have a leg length discrepancy, contact Dr. Thomas Keogh at Bare Chiropractic in Billings today for an initial evaluation to begin finding relief.
Sources
Knutson, Gary A, and Edward F Owens . “Leg Length Alignment Asymmetry In A Non-Clinical Population And Its Correlation To A Decrease In General Health As Measured By The SF-12: A Pilot Study.” Https://Www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com, Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, 1 Nov. 2004, www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/2017/09/08/leg-length-alignment-asymmetry-in-a-non-clinical-population-and-its-correlation-to-a-decrease-in-general-health-as-measured-by-the-sf-12-a-pilot-study/.
Murray, K.J., et al. “Association of Mild Leg Length Discrepancy and Degenerative Changes in the Hip Joint and Lumbar Spine.” Advances in Pediatrics., U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28427725.
Phang, J K, et al. “Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Advances in Pediatrics., U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2018, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29609927.
