Hip pain can be a deep ache in the groin, a sore spot on the outer hip that flares when you lie on it, or a nagging buttock pain on long drives. The right hip pain treatment depends on which of these you have, because each comes from a different structure.
At Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR), chiropractors and physical therapists work from one shared plan, with an on-site gym for the strengthening most hip problems need. We see hip patients in Danbury and Brewster, NY.
What is causing your hip pain?
Deep groin pain: arthritis or a labral problem
Pain deep in the groin or the front of the thigh usually starts in the hip joint. In middle-aged and older adults, the most common cause is hip arthritis, with stiffness after sitting and trouble putting on socks (see arthritis pain relief). Younger, active adults may have a labral tear or a hip shape that pinches during deep bending, often with clicking or catching.
Outer hip pain: tendons and hip bursitis
Outer hip pain that worsens when lying on that side or climbing stairs usually involves the gluteal tendons at the bony point of the hip. A cushioning sac sits nearby, so it is often called hip bursitis, though the tendons are usually the main source. It is most common in women in midlife.
Buttock pain from the lower back
Buttock pain that spreads down the back of the thigh, especially with numbness or tingling, often comes from the lower back or the sacroiliac joint rather than the hip.
Strains and overuse
Sprinting and quick changes of direction can strain the hip flexors, hamstrings or groin muscles. Deep hip pain that worsens with every run needs a prompt check, because it can be a stress fracture.
Symptoms worth tracking
- Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning
- A limp, or pain that builds the longer you walk
- Pain at night when lying on one side
- Clicking, catching or pinching with deep bending
When to get urgent care for hip pain
Most hip pain is safe to book in the usual way. Call 911 or go to the ER instead if:
- You fell and cannot put weight on the leg, or it looks shorter or turned outward, which can mean a fracture
- The hip is very painful to move and you have a fever or chills, which can mean a joint infection
- Severe hip or groin pain came on suddenly without an injury
- Hip or buttock pain comes with numbness in the groin, new bladder or bowel control problems, or sudden leg weakness
How PMR approaches hip pain treatment
Your clinician asks where the pain sits and what sets it off, then watches you walk, squat and balance on one leg, measures hip rotation and strength, and screens your lower back and pelvis. If an X-ray would change the plan, PMR can take one. When an MRI or a surgeon’s opinion is needed, we refer you.
Your plan may include:
- Strength-based rehab: hip pain physical therapy that moves from gentle hip and core exercises to loaded gym work, with hands-on care and a home program
- Chiropractic care: joint and soft-tissue techniques when the lower back or pelvis is feeding the pain
- Shockwave therapy: for outer hip tendon pain that has lasted months, offered in Danbury and Brewster
- Physiatry: a review by our physiatry and pain-management team when pain is severe, recurring or complex, so your hip pain treatment stays coordinated
Safe self-care for a sore hip
- Sleep on your back or the side that doesn’t hurt, with a pillow between your knees
- Avoid crossing your legs or sinking into low, soft chairs
- Walk in shorter, more frequent bouts if long walks flare your pain
- Skip hard stretches across the outer hip, which can press on sore tendons
Frequently asked questions
Is my hip pain coming from my back?
It can be. Buttock or back-of-thigh pain, especially with numbness or tingling, or pain that changes when you bend or sit, often starts in the lower back or sacroiliac joint. Groin pain more often comes from the hip joint itself. Your exam includes a back screen, so the plan targets the true source.
Can a chiropractor help with hip pain?
Chiropractic care can help when the lower back, pelvis or nearby muscles contribute to hip pain. At PMR, chiropractors work alongside physical therapists, so adjustments and soft-tissue work are paired with strengthening rather than used alone. If the problem sits mainly inside the joint, the plan leans more on exercise.
Will I need a hip replacement?
Not necessarily. Many people with hip arthritis stay active for years with exercise, weight management and activity changes. Surgery is a decision you make with an orthopedic surgeon, usually when pain limits daily life despite steady conservative care. If you do have one, PMR also provides physical therapy afterward.
How long does hip pain treatment take?
That depends on what is causing it. A mild strain may settle in a few weeks, while outer hip tendon pain often needs several months of steady strengthening. Arthritis is managed over the long term, with flare-ups handled as they come. Your clinician reassesses you regularly, and how quickly people improve varies.
Book a hip evaluation
To start hip pain treatment, call the office that suits you or request an appointment online. Not sure the hip is the problem? Our list of conditions we treat may help.
- PMR of Danbury, CT: (203) 744-8013
- PMR of Brewster, NY: (845) 279-1135