Localized Hip Pain

Before we go any further, it is important to understand what you mean by "hip pain."

Believe it or not, one of the first things to establish is the actual location patients are referring to when they say they have hip pain.

When doctors talk about the hip, they refer to the ball-and-socket joint where the top of your leg meets your pelvis.

Many patients, however, point to the area just below the waist and off to one side of the lower back. Although most people call this "hip pain," they are often pointing to the area over the sacroiliac (SI) joint.

At the base of the spine is a large triangular wedge called the sacrum. The sacrum attaches to the pelvis on both sides through the sacroiliac (SI) joints, which are located about halfway between the middle of your lower back and the side of your pelvis.

Pain over or near the sacroiliac (SI) joint is one of the most common types of "hip pain" we see in our office. It is usually associated with bending, twisting, lifting, and activities such as golf, pickleball, tennis, or moving furniture.

If your pain is radiating into your groin, buttock, thigh, or leg rather than staying mainly over the area you identify as your hip, please click here to learn about radiating hip pain.

Understanding exactly where your pain is located is the first step toward determining what is causing it and recommending the most appropriate treatment.

Ongoing pain over the sacroiliac region most commonly comes from biomechanical irritation of the sacroiliac (SI) joint, ligaments, and supporting structures.

In many patients, more than one structure becomes irritated at the same time, making it important to identify the actual underlying cause rather than simply treating the protective muscle spasm. This makes an accurate diagnosis the first step toward effective treatment.

Episodes of uncomplicated pain that resolve without treatment in a few days are usually suggestive of a simple muscle strain without any significant underlying biomechanical problem.

If your pain and muscle guarding continue beyond a couple of days, or there is pain with movement, there is usually an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. The muscles surrounding the hip remain tight because they are trying to protect the irritated area, so this is not simply a weak area that needs strengthening or a tight muscle that needs stretching. Unfortunately, these stereotypical recommendations often only lead to further irritation.

Yes. The good news is that most localized hip pain responds very well to chiropractic care once the source of the problem has been accurately diagnosed. Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of helping thousands of patients with pain over this region, with most pain free and back to pre-injury activity in as little as 1–4 visits.

If your pain has not improved after a few days, keeps returning, or is interfering with your sleep, walking, exercise, work, or normal daily activities, it is time to have it evaluated.

Different underlying factors often produce remarkably similar symptoms but do not all require the same treatment. An evaluation is designed to determine exactly what is causing your pain so the right treatment can be recommended from the beginning.