Low Back & Hip Pain in Athletes
What’s Actually Going On (and Why It Keeps Coming Back)
Low back and hip pain in active people usually isn’t just one thing.
It’s a mix of joints that aren’t moving well, tissues that got overloaded, and muscles that are either doing too much or not enough. When joints don’t glide the way they should, your body compensates. Hips grab, the low back tightens, and now lifting, running, and even getting out of the car can flare things up.
At Empower Sports Chiropractic, we start with a focused movement and mobility assessment to find the exact limiters: what’s stiff, what’s weak, what’s overprotective. Then we match the right treatment to the problem.
Hands‑On Treatment That Works With Your Body
Our approach blends precise joint work, targeted soft‑tissue care, and rehab that actually translates to sport.
For low backs specifically, we prefer flexion distraction (an up‑down table technique) over spinal decompression. Flexion distraction restores motion without the issues we see from decompression.
Around the hips, we often pair adjustments with Active Release Technique (ART), a precise pin‑and‑stretch approach to free up the muscle, tendon, ligament, or even the capsule that’s blocking end‑range motion.
If there’s a stubborn soft‑tissue piece, we’ll add:
- Graston (IASTM): light, instrument‑assisted work for local, chronic tendon spots (elbow, knee, plantar fascia, etc.). We pair it with movement because tissue changes under load before, during, and after treatment.
- Dry Needling (trigger‑point focus): tiny needles to calm overactive muscles or wake up underactive ones. It also helps tone down the nervous system, which is why it pairs so well with adjustments.
- Cupping (mostly dynamic): “old blood out, new blood in.” We’ll glide the cup to scan, then set it briefly over reactive spots while you move through range. The goal is to get fresh blood (nutrients) into the tissue.
When We Add Performance Tools
For deeper, chronic hip or tendon problems, we may add Softwave (Shockwave).
It’s one of the deepest‑penetrating, non‑invasive tools out there (up to about 5–5.5 inches), so we can reach structures around the hip you can’t easily get with other options. The goal is to increase blood flow and metabolic activity and recruit the body’s healing factors. We primarily use it for chronic issues.
Our clinic is rehab‑heavy. You’ll get targeted corrective exercise and programming, not a generic band sheet. The plan is progressive and sport‑specific, so your improvements stick in the real world.
When appropriate, we’ll also use blood flow restriction (BFR) to drive adaptation without flaring symptoms, and we can layer in options like KT/Rock taping as needed.
Once pain settles and motion improves, we’ll shift toward performance, making sure you can lift, run, or play without that “here it comes again” feeling. Expect progressive, dynamic movements that fit your sport and schedule.
Why Active People Choose Empower for Low Back & Hip Pain in Athletes
Elite Sports Experience
Our D1-level experience shapes how we evaluate, treat, and progress athletes of all levels.
Integrated Care Under One Roof
Chiropractic, physical therapy, and massage therapy, all coordinated to match your needs.
Evidence First Before Imaging
We don’t order routine imaging. If it’s clinically relevant, we’ll refer you to a trusted local center.
Ready to Get Back to Training?
Low back and hip pain shouldn’t control your workouts, your season, or your week.
With precise hands‑on care, the right tools (from flexion distraction to ART, dry needling, cupping, shockwave), and real rehab, we’ll help you move the way you’re built to move, but with more confidence.
