“How can I treat my hip joint pain?”
I have hip joint pain. How can I treat my hip joint pain?
3 Answers
ChiropractorChiropractor
Hip joint pain is one of the most common complaints among adults, especially those who are physically active, over 40, or have jobs that involve repetitive motion or prolonged sitting. Whether a dull ache deep in the groin, sharp pain near the outer hip, or discomfort radiating into the buttocks or thigh, this kind of pain can severely limit your mobility and quality of life.
Fortunately, effective and non-invasive treatments like chiropractic care, acupuncture, and dry needling can provide lasting relief. Understanding the source of your hip pain is crucial to determining the right course of action, especially when it comes to distinguishing hip joint issues from sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction.
What Is Hip Joint Pain?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the head of the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum of the pelvis. This allows for a wide range of motion, making it one of the most flexible yet stable joints in the body.
Hip joint pain typically refers to pain that arises from within this joint structure. It may be caused by:
-Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid)
-Labral tears
-Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
-Hip bursitis
-Tendinopathies
-Muscle imbalances
-Repetitive stress or postural problems
However, not all pain in the "hip area" originates in the actual hip joint. That's why accurate assessment is essential.
Differentiating Hip Joint Pain from Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain
It's common for people to say they have hip pain when the discomfort is actually coming from another region—especially the sacroiliac joint, which connects the base of the spine (sacrum) to the pelvis.
Characteristics of True Hip Joint (Acetabular) Pain:
-Felt deep in the groin or front of the hip
-Worsens with activities like walking, climbing stairs, or standing from a seated position
-May cause stiffness, reduced range of motion, or clicking
Characteristics of SI Joint Pain:
-Typically felt in the buttock, lower back, or just off to one side of the spine
-May radiate down into the thigh but not usually past the knee
-Feels worse when sitting for too long, transitioning between positions, or standing unevenly
A qualified provider, such as a chiropractor, can help you pinpoint the source of your pain through orthopedic testing and a thorough evaluation. Once the source is identified, treatment can be tailored to your specific needs.
Chiropractic Care for Hip Joint Pain
Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective option for many people dealing with hip joint or SI joint pain. Chiropractors are trained to evaluate the entire musculoskeletal system, identify dysfunctions, and use hands-on techniques to restore alignment, reduce inflammation, and improve movement.
How Chiropractic Helps:
- Joint Adjustments: Gentle manipulation of the spine, SI joint, or even the hip joint itself can improve biomechanics and decrease irritation to surrounding tissues.
- Postural Correction: Many hip issues are caused or worsened by poor posture or pelvic imbalances. Chiropractors can address leg length discrepancies, pelvic tilt, and gait abnormalities.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: Techniques such as myofascial release can reduce tightness in muscles like the piriformis, gluteus medius, or iliopsoas.
- Exercise Prescription: Chiropractors often provide therapeutic exercises that strengthen weak muscles and stretch tight ones, supporting long-term relief.
- Chiropractic care is especially successful when hip pain is mechanical, caused by joint misalignment, overuse, or muscular imbalances rather than a structural defect like a fracture or advanced arthritis.
Acupuncture for Hip Joint Pain
Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and balance energy flow (qi).
In modern terms, acupuncture has been shown to:
-Trigger the release of endorphins and other natural pain-relievers
-Reduce inflammation
-Improve blood circulation to affected tissues
-Modulate the nervous system's pain response
-Conditions that Respond Well to Acupuncture:
-Osteoarthritis of the hip
-Tendinitis or bursitis
-Muscle strains and spasms
-SI joint dysfunction
-Referred pain from the lumbar spine
Patients often report reduced pain and greater ease of movement within a few sessions. When combined with chiropractic adjustments or dry needling, acupuncture can enhance the effectiveness of treatment and speed up recovery.
Dry Needling for Hip Joint Pain
While it may look similar to acupuncture, dry needling is a Western medical technique focused on trigger point therapy. A provider inserts sterile needles directly into tight or knotted muscle fibers, causing them to release, relax, and function normally.
This approach is especially helpful for:
-Piriformis syndrome
-Gluteal trigger points
-Iliopsoas tightness
-Quadratus lumborum (QL) dysfunction
-Referred pain patterns that mimic hip or SI joint pain
Dry needling can:
-Reduce muscle spasms and tension
-Restore normal movement patterns
-Increase flexibility
-Provide rapid pain relief when other methods fall short
It's often integrated into a comprehensive plan alongside chiropractic care and rehab exercises for optimal results.
What to Expect from Treatment
Your first step should be a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed practitioner. Whether you see a chiropractor, acupuncturist, or physical therapist, make sure they perform a detailed history, physical exam, and functional movement assessment.
A well-rounded treatment plan may include:
-Spinal and pelvic adjustments
-Manual therapy for soft tissue release
-Acupuncture or dry needling
-Stretching and strengthening exercises
-Ergonomic and lifestyle advice
Most people see meaningful improvements within a few weeks, especially when they follow through with recommended home care and consistent visits.
When to Seek Help
-You should seek professional care for hip joint pain if:
-Pain lasts more than a few days or keeps returning
-You feel stiffness, locking, or clicking in the joint
-Pain is interfering with your daily activities or sleep
-There is radiation into the thigh or groin
-You've experienced a fall or trauma
It's also worth seeking help before the pain becomes severe. Chronic joint pain often leads to compensation in other parts of the body—causing knee, back, or ankle problems that can be harder to fix down the road.
You Don't Have to Live With Hip Joint Pain
Hip joint pain can disrupt your life—but it doesn't have to define it. Whether your pain stems from the acetabular joint, SI joint, or surrounding muscles and tendons, there are proven, non-invasive treatments that can help you feel better and move more freely.
Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and dry needling offer safe, drug-free solutions that address the root causes of pain—not just the symptoms. They work well alone or as part of a comprehensive care plan, and are most effective when started early.
If you're struggling with hip joint pain, don't wait. Find a qualified chiropractor or provider who offers these treatments and start your path toward healing and recovery.
Fortunately, effective and non-invasive treatments like chiropractic care, acupuncture, and dry needling can provide lasting relief. Understanding the source of your hip pain is crucial to determining the right course of action, especially when it comes to distinguishing hip joint issues from sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction.
What Is Hip Joint Pain?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the head of the femur (thigh bone) and the acetabulum of the pelvis. This allows for a wide range of motion, making it one of the most flexible yet stable joints in the body.
Hip joint pain typically refers to pain that arises from within this joint structure. It may be caused by:
-Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid)
-Labral tears
-Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
-Hip bursitis
-Tendinopathies
-Muscle imbalances
-Repetitive stress or postural problems
However, not all pain in the "hip area" originates in the actual hip joint. That's why accurate assessment is essential.
Differentiating Hip Joint Pain from Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain
It's common for people to say they have hip pain when the discomfort is actually coming from another region—especially the sacroiliac joint, which connects the base of the spine (sacrum) to the pelvis.
Characteristics of True Hip Joint (Acetabular) Pain:
-Felt deep in the groin or front of the hip
-Worsens with activities like walking, climbing stairs, or standing from a seated position
-May cause stiffness, reduced range of motion, or clicking
Characteristics of SI Joint Pain:
-Typically felt in the buttock, lower back, or just off to one side of the spine
-May radiate down into the thigh but not usually past the knee
-Feels worse when sitting for too long, transitioning between positions, or standing unevenly
A qualified provider, such as a chiropractor, can help you pinpoint the source of your pain through orthopedic testing and a thorough evaluation. Once the source is identified, treatment can be tailored to your specific needs.
Chiropractic Care for Hip Joint Pain
Chiropractic treatment is a safe and effective option for many people dealing with hip joint or SI joint pain. Chiropractors are trained to evaluate the entire musculoskeletal system, identify dysfunctions, and use hands-on techniques to restore alignment, reduce inflammation, and improve movement.
How Chiropractic Helps:
- Joint Adjustments: Gentle manipulation of the spine, SI joint, or even the hip joint itself can improve biomechanics and decrease irritation to surrounding tissues.
- Postural Correction: Many hip issues are caused or worsened by poor posture or pelvic imbalances. Chiropractors can address leg length discrepancies, pelvic tilt, and gait abnormalities.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: Techniques such as myofascial release can reduce tightness in muscles like the piriformis, gluteus medius, or iliopsoas.
- Exercise Prescription: Chiropractors often provide therapeutic exercises that strengthen weak muscles and stretch tight ones, supporting long-term relief.
- Chiropractic care is especially successful when hip pain is mechanical, caused by joint misalignment, overuse, or muscular imbalances rather than a structural defect like a fracture or advanced arthritis.
Acupuncture for Hip Joint Pain
Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that involves inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing, relieve pain, and balance energy flow (qi).
In modern terms, acupuncture has been shown to:
-Trigger the release of endorphins and other natural pain-relievers
-Reduce inflammation
-Improve blood circulation to affected tissues
-Modulate the nervous system's pain response
-Conditions that Respond Well to Acupuncture:
-Osteoarthritis of the hip
-Tendinitis or bursitis
-Muscle strains and spasms
-SI joint dysfunction
-Referred pain from the lumbar spine
Patients often report reduced pain and greater ease of movement within a few sessions. When combined with chiropractic adjustments or dry needling, acupuncture can enhance the effectiveness of treatment and speed up recovery.
Dry Needling for Hip Joint Pain
While it may look similar to acupuncture, dry needling is a Western medical technique focused on trigger point therapy. A provider inserts sterile needles directly into tight or knotted muscle fibers, causing them to release, relax, and function normally.
This approach is especially helpful for:
-Piriformis syndrome
-Gluteal trigger points
-Iliopsoas tightness
-Quadratus lumborum (QL) dysfunction
-Referred pain patterns that mimic hip or SI joint pain
Dry needling can:
-Reduce muscle spasms and tension
-Restore normal movement patterns
-Increase flexibility
-Provide rapid pain relief when other methods fall short
It's often integrated into a comprehensive plan alongside chiropractic care and rehab exercises for optimal results.
What to Expect from Treatment
Your first step should be a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed practitioner. Whether you see a chiropractor, acupuncturist, or physical therapist, make sure they perform a detailed history, physical exam, and functional movement assessment.
A well-rounded treatment plan may include:
-Spinal and pelvic adjustments
-Manual therapy for soft tissue release
-Acupuncture or dry needling
-Stretching and strengthening exercises
-Ergonomic and lifestyle advice
Most people see meaningful improvements within a few weeks, especially when they follow through with recommended home care and consistent visits.
When to Seek Help
-You should seek professional care for hip joint pain if:
-Pain lasts more than a few days or keeps returning
-You feel stiffness, locking, or clicking in the joint
-Pain is interfering with your daily activities or sleep
-There is radiation into the thigh or groin
-You've experienced a fall or trauma
It's also worth seeking help before the pain becomes severe. Chronic joint pain often leads to compensation in other parts of the body—causing knee, back, or ankle problems that can be harder to fix down the road.
You Don't Have to Live With Hip Joint Pain
Hip joint pain can disrupt your life—but it doesn't have to define it. Whether your pain stems from the acetabular joint, SI joint, or surrounding muscles and tendons, there are proven, non-invasive treatments that can help you feel better and move more freely.
Chiropractic care, acupuncture, and dry needling offer safe, drug-free solutions that address the root causes of pain—not just the symptoms. They work well alone or as part of a comprehensive care plan, and are most effective when started early.
If you're struggling with hip joint pain, don't wait. Find a qualified chiropractor or provider who offers these treatments and start your path toward healing and recovery.
Work on hip mobility! Most of the time the hip pain comes from glutes and piriformis being overly tight so you start overusing the hip muscles.
First, you should find out what is causing the pain. Start by seeing a physician such as a Chiropractor or an orthopedic doctor. A thorough examination should be performed including imaging such as x-rays or an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. After diagnosis is made, a proper treatment regime can be prescribed.
