HIP PAIN

Services / Hip Pain

CONDITIONS WE TREAT

Hip pain affects people of all ages and activity levels. A thorough whole-body assessment often reveals contributing factors that have not previously been identified or addressed.

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WHAT IS IT?

Understanding hip pain

The hip is one of the largest and most load-bearing joints in the body, carrying up to six times a person's body weight during everyday activities such as walking.

It connects the thigh bone to the pelvis and provides a wide range of motion while supporting the entire upper body. Hip dysfunction can have a significant impact on daily life and activity, and because of the complexity of the joint and its surrounding structures, there is a wide range of potential presentations that may contribute to hip pain.

One of the most important principles in assessing hip pain is understanding that the hip does not function in isolation. The lower back, pelvis, knee, and foot all influence how load is distributed through the hip, and dysfunction in any of these areas can contribute to or maintain hip symptoms. Equally, hip dysfunction frequently contributes to lower back, knee, and foot pain. A whole-body assessment is essential to identify what is actually driving the presentation rather than simply treating the area that hurts.

Hip pain is also highly age-dependent in its presentation. In younger people and athletes, hip pain is more often related to muscle and tendon overuse, labral irritation, or biomechanical loading patterns. In older adults, degenerative changes and osteoarthritis are more common contributors. Both presentations fall within our scope, and treatment is always tailored to the individual rather than the diagnosis.

WHO IT HELPS

You might recognise this

People experiencing pain, stiffness, clicking, or restricted movement in or around the hip that is affecting their ability to walk, exercise, sit comfortably, or perform daily activities. Hip pain that has been present for a long time or that keeps returning despite previous treatment often has contributing factors in the lower back, pelvis, or lower limb that have not been fully addressed.

Common presentations we assess and may assist with include:

Hip joint pain and stiffness
Osteoarthritis of the hip
Gluteal tendinopathy and lateral hip pain
Greater trochanteric bursitis
Hip flexor tightness and strain
Labral injuries and cartilage damage
Femoral acetabular impingement (FAI)
Developmental dysplasia of the hip
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction contributing to hip symptoms
Referred pain from the lumbar spine or knee
Muscle injuries around the hip and pelvis
Hip pain in runners, cyclists, and other active people
Hip pain during and after pregnancy
Post-surgical hip rehabilitation support

HOW WE TREAT IT

Our approach

Hip assessment always includes the lower back, pelvis, knee, and foot. Restriction or dysfunction anywhere in this chain can drive or maintain hip pain, and treatment addresses all contributing areas.

Your osteopath will conduct a thorough assessment of your hip and the full lower limb and spinal chain before treatment begins. They will listen carefully to your story, including your general health, activity levels, what caused or aggravated the problem, and what movements make the pain worse.

How your osteopath works with you to manage your condition will depend on the diagnosis, the severity of your pain, and the length of time you have been in pain.

Treatment may include a range of hands-on techniques to help relieve pain, increase movement, and improve strength. You will also be given exercises you can do at home to support your progress between appointments. Shockwave therapy is available for appropriate tendon and soft tissue presentations, including gluteal tendinopathy and greater trochanteric bursitis, and can be incorporated into your treatment plan where indicated.

Soft Tissue Therapy

HVLA

MET

Articulation

Exercise Rehabilitation

Shockwave Therapy

Dry Needling

Load Management

Biomechanical Assessment

WHAT TO EXPECT

Your first appointment

Your osteopath will take a full history including the onset, location, and pattern of your hip pain, your activity levels, and any associated lower back or lower limb symptoms.

A thorough physical assessment will follow, covering your hip, lower back, pelvis, and lower limb as an integrated system. You will leave with a clear explanation of what is contributing to your pain and a realistic plan for management. Where imaging or specialist referral is indicated, your osteopath will discuss this with you and assist with the referral process.

Because your hips are complex and very important for supporting and connecting the body, talk to your osteopath about specific activities and exercises you can do to prevent or help manage your hip pain long term.

ALSO RELEVANT

Hip Pain

Acute & Chronic Injuries

Postural Concerns

Sciatica

Shockwave Therapy

What the evidence says...

Research into non-pharmacological management of hip pain supports the approaches we use at Whole Health. A literature review by McGovern et al (2019) suggested that rehabilitation focused on patient education, activity modification, and an individualised physical therapy plan may decrease pain and improve function in people with non-arthritic hip pain. For hip osteoarthritis specifically, the evidence suggests that the techniques osteopaths use may help improve pain and movement. Clinical exercises have been associated with reduced pain and improved hip mobility in older adults with mild hip osteoarthritis (Laita et al 2019). Manual therapy applied to the hip and lower back may also relieve pain in this group, and dry needling of the hip has been associated with reduced pain and stiffness in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (Witt et al 2006). As with all musculoskeletal presentations, outcomes vary between individuals and results are not guaranteed. Your osteopath will discuss what the evidence suggests for your specific presentation and give you realistic expectations from the outset. References: McGovern R et al. (2019). Non-operative management of individuals with non-arthritic hip pain. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 14(1), 135-147. Laita LC et al. (2019). Effects of non-pharmacological conservative treatment on pain, range of motion and physical function in patients with mild to moderate hip osteoarthritis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 42. Witt CM et al. (2006). Acupuncture in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 54(11). National Centre for Osteopathic Research. (2018). Exercise therapy in the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis.