They say sitting is the new smoking. That is, the risk sedentary lifestyles pose to health and mobility is as significant as a cigarette habit. Beyond the catchy tagline lies a serious problem, though. According to World Health Organisation data, more than three-quarters of all adolescents and one in four adults do not meet the guidelines for aerobic exercise. We know that prolonged periods of sitting affects thoracic mobility, and that longer sitting times are linked to an increased prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. But what does this look like in practicality, and how does chiropractic care factor in?
In a new case report published in the Asia Pacific Chiropractic Journal, a 30-year-old male presented for chiropractic care with primary complaints of hip pain and immobility. It was immediately clear that, in addition to a reportedly low level of physical activity, he had significant observable postural and structural spinal deviations. He was new to chiropractic, and commenced a course of care during which he was managed using the Advanced BioStructural Correction™ (ABC) technique.
ABC is a form of chiropractic care that pays special attention to structural spinal elements, and tends to adjust from the front to the back to correct the subluxation by moving in a direction where the spine doesn’t have the musculature to do so itself. Upon initial assessment, it was clear that the patient’s hip pain and markedly reduced hip motion were compounded by structural spinal deviations. Photographic and radiographic postural analyses documented abnormal spinal curvature, pelvic tilt, and hip joint limitations. Within this chiropractic context, pain wasn’t seen as the primary issue but rather as a result of deeper structural dysfunction.
The initial examination included photographic postural analysis, spinal curvature measurement, hip joint range of motion evaluation, and quality of life assessment (via patient-reported outcome measures). Targeted structural correction was undertaken to influence these metrics.
The patient’s care involved spinal adjustments, corrective structural work, and follow-up postural-rehab protocols, all modified to address hip immobility and spinal curvature. The objective: to restore spinal alignment and improve hip function, in turn resolving the patient’s pain and immobility.
Outcomes begin changing straight away
Within six weeks, a consistent improvement in pain and mobility was noted. This, in turn, began improving his quality of life. Measurable improvements in spinal curvature were noted in radiographs, but improvements in his quality of life weren’t only limited to back and hip pain. His postural balance improved, along with movement, flexibility, sleep, overall physicality, and ability to undertake activities of daily life.
It should be noted that, at the beginning of care, he could not participate in certain corrective positions due to the level of pain he was in. This also resolved over time. While consistent improvements were noted by the 6-week review, his symptoms had fully resolved by the one-year review, at which point he reported he was now able to walk to work.
It is a stand-alone case report, and thus there are limitations to what we can claim. With that said, this is a clear example of how chiropractic was able to become a wrap-around care modality that offered not only subluxation-based care to correct serious structural and functional abnormalities, but advice that can help support a patient in re-engaging with proactive health strategies like sleep, ergonomics and support in returning to exercise.
In this case, we don’t the difference this might make over the course of the lifespan. We can only guess. But by restoring proper movement, rest and exercise, we can only guess its likely to be significant.
Reference
Camm, J., Postlethwaite, R., & McIvor, C. (2025). Improvement in spinal curvature and quality of life in a 30-year-old male with hip pain and immobility: A case report. Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal, 6(2). Retrieved from https://www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-2/#CammHipPain
