Hip pain can come from the tendons, the joint or the lower back. Here's what the research says and what a first visit at Wild looks like.
Your hip aches on the walk to the car. It's worse after a long day at the desk. Or it starts halfway through a run and hangs around for days.
Hip pain is common. It's also confusing, because the spot that hurts isn't always the spot that's causing it.
Here's what we know about the usual sources, what the research says helps, and what to expect if you come and see us.
People point to different spots when they say their hip hurts.
Where it hurts is the first clue. It isn't the whole answer.
Pain on the outside of the hip is often linked to the gluteal tendons. These attach the buttock muscles to the top of the thigh bone. They can get irritated when load changes quickly, like a jump in walking or running, or a lot of time lying on one side.
A large Australian trial looked at people with this kind of pain. Those who had education about load plus a targeted exercise program did better than people who took a wait-and-see approach. (Mellor et al., BMJ, 2018)
The takeaway is simple. Understanding what loads the tendon, and building it up in a planned way, matters.
Pain in the groin or front of the hip can come from the hip joint.
In younger, active people, one cause is called femoroacetabular impingement syndrome. It's about the shape of the ball and socket and how they meet during movement. An international group of hip clinicians agreed it should only be called that when symptoms, examination findings and imaging all line up. A scan on its own isn't enough. (Griffin et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2016)
In older adults, hip osteoarthritis is more common. A Cochrane review found that exercise therapy reduced pain and improved physical function for people with hip osteoarthritis, at least in the short term. (Fransen et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014)
Pain in the buttock or back of the hip can come from the lower back. The hip and the lower spine sit close together and share a lot of the same muscles and nerves.
Clinicians have described this overlap for decades. Hip and spine problems can happen together, and each can make the other harder to pin down. (Offierski and MacNab, Spine, 1983)
That's why a good assessment looks at your lower back and pelvis as well as the hip.
Most hip pain is about load and capacity. Load is what you ask your body to do. Capacity is what it can handle right now.
Pain often shows up when load jumps and capacity hasn't caught up. Think a new running program, a move to a standing desk, a long drive, or a stressful stretch at work.
Resting can settle the pain. But if nothing changes in how your body handles load, it often returns when you get back to normal life.
Some hip pain needs medical review before anything else. See your GP or call 000 if you have:
Your first visit takes about 45 minutes. That includes check-in, paperwork and 30 minutes with your chiropractor.
We ask about your history, your work, your training and what makes the pain better or worse. Then we examine how your hip, pelvis, lower back and nervous system are working together. If imaging would help, we'll talk about it.
We don't rush the findings. At your second visit we explain what we found and talk through your options. Care starts from there, if it's right for you.
Chiropractic is a process, not an event. Results vary between people, and we'll be clear with you about what we can and can't help with. If we think someone else should see you, like your GP or a physio, we'll tell you.
If your hip has been bothering you, book a first visit or call us on (08) 6280 1210. We're at 160 Onslow Road, Shenton Park.
This article is general information only and isn't medical advice. Please see a registered health practitioner about your own situation.
Wild Chiropractic is a nervous system-led chiropractic practice in Shenton Park, Perth.
