Conditions We Treat
HIP PAIN
Hip pain can stop you in your tracks. Whether it catches you getting out of a car, limits your running or aches through the night, it affects daily life in ways that are hard to ignore. We see hip pain across all age groups at our Sandton practice, from active runners and gym-goers to office workers and older adults.
The hip joint itself can be the source of pain, with causes including joint stiffness, osteoarthritis, labral irritation and bursitis (particularly greater trochanteric pain syndrome, which causes pain on the outside of the hip). But not all hip pain actually comes from the hip. The lumbar spine frequently refers pain into the hip, buttock and groin, and tight or weak muscles around the pelvis can create pain patterns that mimic joint problems. Getting the right diagnosis matters because the treatment approach differs depending on the source.
A Cochrane review found that exercise therapy reduces pain and improves physical function in hip osteoarthritis. Manual therapy, including joint mobilisation and soft tissue work, plays an important role in restoring movement and reducing pain across a range of hip conditions. Education, activity modification and progressive exercise are recommended for conditions like greater trochanteric pain syndrome. When the lumbar spine is contributing, treating the back alongside the hip leads to better outcomes.
We take the time to work out exactly where your hip pain is coming from. That means assessing the hip joint, the lumbar spine and the surrounding muscles and tendons. Treatment includes chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and a tailored exercise programme focused on building strength and stability where it is needed most.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HIP PAIN
- Pain in the groin, front of the hip or deep in the buttock
- Sharp pain when getting up from a chair or out of a car
- Aching on the outside of the hip, especially when lying on that side
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting for long periods
- Pain during or after walking, running or climbing stairs
- A clicking or catching sensation in the hip joint
- Reduced range of motion when putting on shoes or socks
- Pain that radiates from the lower back into the hip or leg
- Limping or favouring one side when walking
- Difficulty sitting cross-legged or with legs apart
Hip pain that lingers often points to an underlying issue that will not resolve without proper assessment and treatment. Whether the problem is in the joint itself, the surrounding muscles or referred from the lower back, identifying the source early gives you the best chance of a full recovery.
We see patients from Sandton, Morningside, Rivonia, Sunninghill, Lonehill and across the Johannesburg area.
Book an appointment at our Sandton practice and let us help you get moving comfortably again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Chiropractors assess and treat a range of hip conditions including joint stiffness, bursitis, osteoarthritis and hip-related groin pain. Treatment combines joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and targeted strengthening exercises.
Hip pain can come from the hip joint itself (osteoarthritis, labral irritation, bursitis) or be referred from the lumbar spine. Tight or weak muscles around the pelvis, particularly the gluteals, are also common contributors.
Yes, this is very common. The lumbar spine frequently refers pain into the hip, buttock and groin. These cases are often misdiagnosed as hip joint problems when the spine is actually the primary source. A thorough assessment of both the hip and lower back is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome causes pain on the outside of the hip. It was previously called hip bursitis. It responds well to a combination of education, activity modification and gluteal strengthening exercises.
Yes. Research, including a Cochrane review, supports exercise therapy for reducing pain and improving function in hip osteoarthritis. Targeted gluteal strengthening is particularly beneficial for many hip conditions.
References
- Fransen M, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014;(4):CD007912.
- Ganderton C, et al. Gluteal loading versus sham exercises to improve pain and dysfunction in postmenopausal women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Women's Health. 2018;27(6):815-829.