Condition
Hip Pain
Hip pain can affect anyone, from active younger people dealing with sports injuries to older adults experiencing wear and tear. It can range from mild discomfort during certain activities to pain that affects walking, sleeping, and daily life.
The hip is a deep ball-and-socket joint that takes a lot of load when standing, walking, and exercising. It is closely connected to the lower back, pelvis, and knee, so pain felt in the hip does not always come from the hip itself. It can be referred from the lower back or surrounding soft tissues, which is why a proper assessment matters.
Common causes include:
- Hip osteoarthritis, more common with age and usually causing stiffness and groin or outer hip pain
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), often causing groin pain in younger active people
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome, pain on the outer hip linked to the gluteal tendons
- Labral tears, often felt as a deep groin ache or clicking
- Hip flexor strain
- Referred pain from the lower back or sacroiliac joint
- Muscle imbalances around the hip
- Snapping hip syndrome, a clicking or snapping sensation during movement
Condition
How We Can Help
At Angel Spine Clinic, hip pain is assessed and treated through both in isolation but often as part of the lower back and pelvic girdle. We look at the hip joint alongside the lower back, pelvis, and surrounding muscles, as these all work together.
Treatment may include:
- Mobilisation of the hip joint to ease stiffness and improve movement
- Treatment of the lower back or pelvis where these are contributing to symptoms
- Soft tissue work on the gluteal muscles, hip flexors, and surrounding muscles
- Rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the hip and glutes
- Movement assessment to identify habits placing extra load on the hip
- Advice on activity and load management during recovery
Your Questions, Answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my hip click when I move?
Clicking or snapping around the hip is often harmless and can come from a tendon moving over a bony part of the joint. It only becomes a concern if it is accompanied by pain, locking, or swelling, in which case it is worth getting assessed
What does a typical hip treatment session involve?
A session usually combines hands-on techniques, such as mobilisation of the hip and surrounding joints and soft tissue work on tight muscles, with guidance on exercises to do between appointments. The exact mix depends on what is found during your assessment.
How long will it take for my hip pain to improve?
This depends on the cause and how long you have had it. Some people notice improvement within a few sessions, while longer-standing issues may take a more gradual approach involving exercise and lifestyle changes alongside treatment.
Is it normal for hip pain to also affect my knee?
Yes. The hip and knee work closely together, and problems at the hip can change the way load is distributed through the leg, sometimes leading to knee discomfort as well. Addressing the hip is often part of resolving knee symptoms too.
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What We Treat
Common Conditions
We treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions — from everyday discomfort to complex, long-standing pain.
