If you've been struggling with tight hip flexors and stretching alone hasn't brought relief, there may be a deeper issue at play. Inflammation in the digestive tract can affect the activation of core muscles, leading to compensatory tightness in the hips. In this article, we'll explore the connection between inflammation and muscle activation, as well as how to identify and address imbalances related to inflammation.

By understanding the body's prioritization of organs over muscles, we can see how inflammation in the digestive or reproductive systems can cause pain and tightness in the hips. We'll also delve into the importance of testing and muscle activation and how identifying inflammation-related imbalances can help address hip pain and other related issues.

Understanding Hip Flexor Issues

If you are experiencing tight hip flexors, stretching alone may not be enough to alleviate the problem. Inflammation in the digestive tract can affect the activation of core muscles, leading to compensatory tightness in the hip flexors.

When a client complains of hip pain, the first step I check for is inflammation in the digestive or reproductive system. Inflammation in these areas can cause pain signals to be sent to the muscles in the core, resulting in muscle turn-off. This can lead to compensatory tightness in the hip flexors as they try to compensate for the lack of blood flow to the core muscles. 

One common issue is that one hip may be tighter than the other. This can be due to inflammation in the liver, gallbladder, small intestines, or reproductive system. For example, a cyst on the right side can cause compensatory tightness in the right hip flexor.

Over time, this imbalance can cause problems not only in the hips but also in the knees, ankles, and shoulders. Inflammation in the organs is often the root cause of back pain, which is a common reason for doctor visits.

To address hip flexor issues, it is important to test for muscle activation in the hamstrings, glutes, and transverse abdominals (TVA). The TVA acts like a natural belt and tightens up during twisting or bending movements. Inflammation in the digestive or reproductive system can cause problems with the TVA and other deep core muscles.

If you are experiencing hip pain, try creating a pain tree to identify any injuries or imbalances on one side of your body. It is also important to check for inflammation in the digestive or reproductive system and to test for muscle activation in the hamstrings, glutes, and TVA.Connection Between Inflammation and Core Muscle Activation

If you experience hip pain and have tried stretching your hip flexors to no avail, there may be a deeper issue at play. Inflammation in the digestive tract can lead to issues with core muscle activation. The nerve channels that connect the digestive tract and other organs and glands in the body to the spinal cord also connect to the core muscles. So, when there is inflammation in the digestive tract, it can affect the core muscles' ability to activate correctly.

This can lead to compensatory muscle activation, with the hip flexors being the most common muscles to compensate. If you have inflammation in your reproductive system, it can also affect the pelvic floor muscles' ability to activate correctly. Over time, this imbalance can cause problems throughout the kinetic chain, from the hips to the ankles and even the shoulders.

When a client comes to me with hip pain, the first thing I do is see if there is any inflammation in their digestive tract or reproductive system. I also test their hamstrings, glutes, and transverse abdominals to see if these muscles are activating correctly. If the hip flexors compensate, it's a sign that the pain may be coming from an imbalance caused by organ inflammation.

The Impact of Digestive Tract Inflammation on Muscles

If you are experiencing tight hip flexors even after stretching them, there may be a deeper issue at play. Many people are unaware that inflammation in the digestive tract can cause problems with core muscle activation. The digestive tract and every other organ and gland in your body communicate through something called the nerve channel, which runs through your spinal cord and intestines. When there is inflammation in the digestive tract, it communicates to the nerve channel and affects the core muscles, causing them to turn off.

This can lead to compensation from other muscles, particularly the hip flexors. If you have inflammation in your reproductive system, this can also cause issues with pelvic floor muscles activating correctly. This can result in one hip being tighter than the other.

Body's Priority: Organs Over Muscles

The body prioritizes the organs and glands over the muscles. Anytime an organ or gland is inflamed, the body will push more blood flow towards it to fix the inflammation. This is why the brain and body believe that organs and glands are more important than muscles. As a result, if there's inflammation in the reproductive system or the digestive tract, the muscles that connect to the same nerve channels will have to compensate, usually resulting in tight hip flexors.

One hip may be tighter than the other due to organ inflammation. For example, if a client complains of hip pain on the right side, it could be due to issues with the liver, gallbladder, or small intestines. This imbalance can cause compensating muscles, such as the hip flexors, to become tight. If you have pain on your right side, it could be due to issues with the liver, gallbladder, or small intestines. On the other hand, pain on the left side could be due to problems with the colon. If there's inflammation in the digestive tract or the pelvic floor, the transverse abdominals (TVA) muscle, which is like a natural belt, will not activate correctly, causing problems with the internal obliques from activating, resulting in hip flexors compensating.

To determine the root cause of hip pain, it's important to test the hamstrings, glutes, and TVA muscles to see if they activate correctly. If the hip flexors compensate, it's a sign that the pain is most likely coming from an imbalance from organ inflammation. A pain tree can also be used to identify any injuries that were never fully rehabbed and may be causing compensation.

In conclusion, organ inflammation can cause tight hip flexors, resulting in hip pain. It's important to test the muscles and identify any root causes of inflammation to address the issue. Remember, the body prioritizes organs and glands over muscles, so it's essential to take care of your overall health to prevent muscle compensation.

Hip Pain and Its Relation to Specific Organs

One common issue is inflammation in the digestive tract, which can be caused by conditions such as candida, bloating, gas, or food allergies. This inflammation can communicate with the nerve channels and cause pain signals to be sent to the core muscles, leading to tightness and compensation in the hip flexors.

Similarly, inflammation in the reproductive system, such as cysts in women, can also cause compensation and tightness in the hip flexors. 

To address hip pain caused by organ inflammation, it's important to address the root cause of the inflammation. This may involve dietary changes, supplements, or other treatments to reduce inflammation and improve organ function. By addressing these underlying issues, you can alleviate hip pain and improve overall health and wellness.

You can listen to the full podcast episode on "How Digestive Problems Cause Back and Hip Pain" here.

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