Question
I recently had some chiropractic work done(my hip and other stuff were out of alignment). I sat in to my bed today and am worried that my hip might have shifted...Is there a way to test this at home by someone pushing on my legs? or any other home test? Any info is appreciated.
Thanks!!  

Answer
Mike, I'll try to help you with this, but please understand that 1) people use the word "hip" and then point to anything between their belly button and their knee, when it truly means the ball-and-socket joint where the femur meets the ilium of the pelvis, and 2) self-diagnosis and treatment is not a substitute for professional clinical care.  If you're talking about your hip, one simple way would be to sit on a chair, and lift one knee up, i.e. raise a foot from the floor about three inches. Have someone try and press it down.  If you can lock your muscles hard on the good side, and cannot do it on the affected side, it may be a sign that something is not working correctly.  Forget about "alignment." It's all about "function."  Beyond this simple test, I cannot convey to you the orthopedics, mechanics, kinesiology, and clinical rationale to test your hips. You also should ask your DC to show you this test.

Dr. G