Hip Pain: Uncovering the cause and finding relief with Osteopathy
Hip pain is a common complaint that can significantly impact your quality of life, making everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even sitting uncomfortable. The hip is a complex ball-and-socket joint designed for both mobility and stability, but this also makes it susceptible to various problems.
Osteopathy offers a whole-body approach to hip pain. Rather than just focusing on the site of pain, we look at the body as an integrated system to identify and address the underlying causes, helping you achieve lasting relief.
Key Facts About Hip Pain
A Common Complaint: Hip pain is a leading reason people seek musculoskeletal care, affecting people of all ages, from young athletes to older adults.
Not Always the Hip: Pain felt in the hip region can sometimes be referred from other areas, most commonly the lower back (lumbar spine) or the sacroiliac joints.
Impact of Lifestyle: Prolonged sitting, sedentary behaviour, and certain types of physical activity can contribute to the development or worsening of hip pain.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Understanding the source of your pain is the first step toward effective treatment. Common causes include:
Osteoarthritis: The most common form of arthritis, involving wear-and-tear of the protective cartilage lining the joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae (small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles near joints). Trochanteric bursitis, on the outside of the hip, is a frequent cause of lateral hip pain.
Muscle Strains and Tendinopathies: Overuse or injury can strain the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip, such as the gluteal muscles or the hip flexors.
Referred Pain: Pain that is perceived in the hip but originates from a problem elsewhere. This is often due to issues in the lower back, such as a lumbar disc problem or joint dysfunction, which can irritate nerves that supply the hip area.
Labral Tear: An injury to the cartilage (labrum) that rims the socket of the hip joint, which can cause a catching sensation, stiffness, and pain.
Biomechanical Imbalances: Issues with gait (how you walk), leg length discrepancies, or poor foot mechanics can place abnormal stress on the hip joint over time.
How Can Osteopathy Help with Hip Pain?
Osteopathic treatment for hip pain begins with a thorough assessment to determine the precise origin of the problem. We consider how your spine, pelvis, knees, and even feet are influencing your hip function.
During your initial consultation, we will:
Take a detailed history to understand the nature of your pain, your activity levels, and any relevant medical history.
Perform a physical examination assessing your posture, gait, and range of motion in the hip and related joints.
Conduct orthopaedic and mobility tests to identify areas of restriction, muscle weakness, or joint dysfunction.
This comprehensive approach allows us to create a tailored treatment plan.
What Does Osteopathic Treatment Involve?
Using gentle, hands-on techniques, we aim to:
Improve Joint Mobility: Gentle articulation and mobilisation techniques can help restore normal movement to the hip joint itself, as well as to the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints if they are contributing to the problem.
Reduce Muscle Tension and Inflammation: Soft tissue massage, myofascial release, and stretching are used to alleviate tightness in the muscles surrounding the hip, improving flexibility and reducing pain.
Address Biomechanical Factors: We work to correct imbalances in the body that may be contributing to your hip pain. This may involve treating areas far from the hip to ensure the entire musculoskeletal system is working harmoniously.
Provide Personalised Advice: You will receive guidance on specific exercises for strengthening and stability, ergonomic adjustments, and activity modification to support your recovery and prevent recurrence.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Help
While most hip pain is musculoskeletal and can be managed conservatively, certain symptoms require prompt medical attention. Please consult your GP or seek urgent care if your hip pain is accompanied by any of the following:
A history of a significant fall or trauma.
An inability to bear weight on the affected leg.
A joint that appears deformed, swollen, or hot to the touch.
Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or redness around the hip.
Sudden, severe pain or numbness/weakness in the leg or foot.
Take the Next Step Towards a Pain-Free Life
Hip pain doesn't have to limit your activities. Osteopathy provides a safe, effective, and non-invasive approach to treating the root cause of your discomfort, not just the symptoms.
Click here to schedule an appointment with Niraj. Let us help you regain your mobility and get back to doing the things you love.
References
*Wilson, J. J., & Furukawa, M. (2014). Evaluation of the patient with hip pain. American Family Physician, 89(1), 27-34. [Link: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0101/p27.html]*
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2020). Osteoarthritis. [Link: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis]
*Ganderton, C., Semciw, A., Cook, J., & Pizzari, T. (2017). The management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: A systematic literature review. Journal of Orthopaedics, 14(1), 15-28. [Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347906/]*
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a registered health practitioner, such as your General Practitioner (GP) or osteopath, for diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. The information provided is based on the best available evidence at the time of publication but should not be relied upon as a sole source of information. Individual results from osteopathic treatment may vary based on the individual’s specific condition and response to care.