The hip carries your whole body weight with every step — and when it hurts, everything gets complicated: walking, stairs, sleep, driving. But the causes of hip pain differ greatly and are treated differently; “where exactly it hurts” is the first diagnostic key.
What can hip pain mean?
Pain felt deep in the groin usually comes from the hip joint itself: osteoarthritis, femoroacetabular impingement, labral lesions. Pain on the OUTER side of the hip, worse at night — trochanteric bursitis and gluteal tendinopathy. Pain in the buttock often comes from the lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint — the hip is frequently blamed unfairly.
Symptoms worth noting
Groin pain with leg rotation or getting into a car (joint-related), lateral pain when sleeping on that side (bursitis/tendinopathy), morning stiffness, a subtle limp, and a shrinking comfortable walking distance.
Common causes
Joint wear (osteoarthritis), overload from walking or prolonged standing, weak glutes, leg-length differences, pivoting sports and compensation patterns after knee or spine problems.
Can it be treated without surgery?
Most causes — yes: mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinopathies and overload syndromes respond to conservative programmes. Advanced osteoarthritis leads to hip replacement — where rehab before and after still decides the quality of the result.
How we treat hip pain at Medicine Park
We assess the hip, pelvis, lumbar spine and gait pattern, identify the real source, then build the plan: manual therapy, targeted gluteal and stabiliser strengthening, gait correction, dry needling and activity dosing. If imaging or an orthopaedic consult is needed, we tell you directly. All in English.
How long does recovery take?
Bursitis and tendinopathies: 4–8 weeks. Osteoarthritis: a 2–3 month base programme with maintenance. Post-operative: staged, by criteria.
When to seek help
If hip pain is changing your walk, waking you at night or shortening your distances, book an assessment. Your first assessment at Medicine Park is free.
