Condition
Hip pain: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to hip pain — where it comes from, when to seek help, and how it is managed.
Quick answer
Hip pain can arise from the joint itself, the tendons around it, or the surrounding muscles, with tendon problems and osteoarthritis being common causes. Most hip pain improves with targeted exercise, load management and manual therapy.
Key facts
- Pain on the outer hip is often tendon-related (gluteal tendinopathy).
- Pain in the groin more often points to the hip joint itself.
- Strengthening the hip and pelvis muscles is central to recovery.
What causes hip pain?
Hip pain is most often caused by tendon problems around the hip, osteoarthritis, or referred pain from the lower back.
- Gluteal tendinopathy or bursitis (outer hip)
- Hip osteoarthritis (often groin pain and stiffness)
- Referred pain from the lower back
- Muscle strains, including in athletes
What are the symptoms of hip pain?
Symptoms vary by cause but commonly include groin or outer-hip pain, stiffness, and pain with walking, stairs or lying on the side.
- Pain in the groin, outer hip or buttock
- Stiffness, especially after rest
- Pain with walking, stairs or prolonged sitting
- Pain lying on the affected side at night
How is hip pain treated?
Most hip pain is treated with targeted strengthening, load management and manual therapy, matched to the cause.
For tendon problems, progressive loading is key; for osteoarthritis, exercise and activity pacing are first-line. Referral is considered for severe or non-improving joint pain.
At Postura Wellness, care for hip pain is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Seek prompt care for hip pain after a fall or that prevents weight-bearing, or hip pain with fever, which needs urgent assessment.
Get a clear plan for your hip pain
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Muscle and Bone Diseases — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Joint Disorders — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Orthopedic services — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Aging changes in the bones, muscles and joints — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia