• Spinal misalignment can cause problems all over the body.spine x-ray image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com
  
  Most people think that spinal misalignment will just cause pain in the neck or back, but it can actually cause problems all over the body. The spinal cord is merely an extension of the brain, which sends neural information to every cell in the body. If there is any disturbance in the communication between the brain and another part of the body, it can result in a problem in that part of the body.
  
  

Sciatica

• Sciatica is not a disorder; it is a specific type of pain. When you have pain that runs along your sciatic nerve--which can be anywhere from your back down to your leg--it is called sciatica. Spinal misalignment can pinch the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the hip, lower back, buttocks and upper thigh. Depending on the severity and specific misalignment, it may or may not get better on its own.
  
  

Piriformis Syndrome

• The piriform is the muscle that rotates your hip. If you have tightness in your back from a misalignment, it can make it difficult for the piriform to do its job and cause inflammation. This can also be linked to sciatica. Ice, massage or an anti-inflammatory can help reduce the swelling and relieve some of the pain.
  
  

Hip Bursitis

• If you have a misaligned spine, you can develop inflammation of the hip bursa, a tiny sac that is supposed to contain fluid. There are bursa all over the body. They serve as cushions between bones and the muscle tissues around them by reducing friction. If the hip bursa becomes inflamed, it can become very painful. The pain can be in the hip or groin area. The pain is usually worst at night or after prolonged sitting. It does not usually require surgery and can generally be relieved by anti-inflammatory medication or avoiding the things that make symptoms worse.