Hip pain is a common issue that can affect people of all ages and activity levels. But did you know that where you feel the pain can give clues about what’s causing it? Understanding the source of your discomfort is key to getting the right treatment and getting back to pain-free movement.
In this blog, we’ll explore the different causes of hip pain, why it’s important to get properly assessed, and how physiotherapy can help.
Different Types of Hip Pain and What They Mean
Pain in the hip doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong with the hip joint itself! The location and type of pain can give insight into what might be going on.
1️⃣ Pain in the Groin
If your hip pain is primarily in the groin, it’s more likely to be a hip joint issue. This could be due to:
✔️ Osteoarthritis – wear and tear of the hip joint
✔️ Labral tears – damage to the cartilage inside the hip joint
✔️ Hip impingement (FAI – femoroacetabular impingement) – when the bones of the hip joint don’t fit together properly
2️⃣ Pain in the Groin that Travels Down the Thigh
If your pain starts in the groin and moves down the front or side of your thigh, this might indicate:
🔸 Hip joint issues that are referring pain further down the leg
🔸 Hip flexor tendinopathy – irritation of the tendons around the hip
🔸 Nerve-related pain (radicular pain) coming from the lumbar spine
3️⃣ Pain on the Side of the Hip (Greater Trochanter Area)
Pain on the outside of the hip, near the bony part of your femur (greater trochanter), is often caused by:
⚡ Trochanteric bursitis – inflammation of the bursa
⚡ Gluteal tendinopathy – irritation or degeneration of the tendons in your glute muscles
⚡ IT band syndrome – when the iliotibial band becomes tight and irritated
4️⃣ Pain in the Buttock
Pain in the buttock area may not be a hip problem at all! It could be:
🔹 Piriformis syndrome – when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve
🔹 Referred pain from the lower back (lumbar spine issues)
🔹 Sciatica – irritation of the sciatic nerve, often due to a disc issue in the spine
Why You Should See a Physiotherapist for Hip Pain
If you’ve been dealing with hip pain and it’s not getting better, it’s important to get assessed by a physiotherapist. Why? Because different causes of hip pain require different treatments!
A thorough assessment will help identify the true source of your pain so that you can get a treatment plan tailored to you.
✅ What does a physiotherapy assessment include?
🔍 A detailed history of your symptoms
🦵 Movement and strength tests
🦴 Joint mobility assessment
⚡ Nerve testing (if nerve pain is suspected)
Once we know what’s causing your pain, we can create a bespoke treatment plan that may include:
💪 Targeted exercises to improve strength and mobility
🤲 Manual therapy and joint mobilisation to improve movement
👐 Soft tissue techniques to relieve muscle tension
🩹 Pain management strategies – including acupuncture if needed
Don’t Let Hip Pain Hold You Back!
If your hip pain is stopping you from doing the things you love—whether that’s walking, exercising, or even just getting through the day pain-free—it’s time to take action. The sooner you get assessed, the sooner you can start feeling better!
🔹 Book an appointment to find out what’s causing your pain and get started on the right treatment plan.
❤️ Always here for you
Jen 🌸
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