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Hip pain

Osteopathy for
Hip Pain in Bury St Edmunds

Hip pain can make walking, stairs, sitting, sleeping and exercise uncomfortable. Osteopathy looks at the hip, lower back and pelvis together to understand what may be contributing and what can be done to improve comfort and function.
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Joshua Toon M.Ost  | Registered Osteopath 

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About hip pain

Hip pain can affect people of all ages and can be felt in different places; from the groin and front of the hip to the outside of the hip or buttock. It may build gradually, follow a change in activity or sport, or become more noticeable with everyday things like walking, sitting or getting up from a chair.

Pain around the hip does not always come from the hip joint itself. The lower back can sometimes refer symptoms into the buttock, hip or groin, while muscles and tendons around the hip can also be involved.

Hip osteoarthritis

Hip osteoarthritis can cause groin pain, stiffness and reduced movement, particularly with walking, stairs or getting up from lower positions. The main focus is usually on keeping you moving, building strength and helping you stay as active as possible.

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, or GTPS, is pain around the outside of the hip and commonly involves the gluteal tendons. It can be aggravated by lying on that side, walking, stairs or a sudden change in activity, and often responds well to sensible load management and progressive strengthening.

Muscle and tendon-related pain

The hip flexors, adductors, gluteal muscles and other soft tissues can become painful after changes in activity, sport or loading. Looking at the pattern of pain and how the hip responds to movement and load can help guide what is most useful.

Pain referred from the lower back

The lower back can sometimes refer pain into the buttock, outer hip or groin. If the symptoms suggest this may be relevant, I will look at the hip and lower back together rather than assuming the hip itself is the only source.

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Assessment and treatment

Your appointment will focus on how the hip is affecting you in everyday life; for example whether walking, stairs, sitting, getting up from a chair, lying on one side or exercising seem to bring the symptoms on.

I will look at how the hip moves, how strong and comfortable it feels in different positions and, where useful, whether the lower back or pelvis may be contributing. If anything suggests that osteopathic care is not the right first step, I will explain that and talk through what would be more appropriate.
Treatment depends on what we find and what you are comfortable with. Where appropriate, it may include:
  • Soft-tissue techniques
  • Joint mobilisation and articulation
  • Manipulation where appropriate
  • Exercise and progressive strengthening
  • Advice around activity, training and load management
For many hip problems, improving strength and tolerance is an important part of getting back to normal activity. Hands-on treatment may be used alongside exercise and practical advice where it is useful.

There is no set number of appointments that everyone needs. We will review how symptoms are changing and whether treatment continues to feel useful as we go.

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When to seek medical advice first

Seek urgent medical advice rather than booking an osteopathy appointment if you have:
  • Hip pain after a fall or injury with an inability to bear weight
  • A hot, red or swollen joint with fever or feeling systemically unwell
  • Severe, sudden groin or hip pain after significant trauma
  • Progressive weakness, numbness or other significant neurological symptoms in the leg
  • Persistent severe pain alongside unexplained systemic symptoms or other features that concern you

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Frequently asked questions about hip pain

Osteopathy may be appropriate for a range of common hip problems. The first step is to understand where the pain is coming from, what movements or activities aggravate it and whether the lower back or surrounding muscles and tendons may also be contributing.
Hip-related symptoms are not always felt directly over the joint. Pain may be felt in the groin, outside of the hip, buttock or upper thigh, and the lower back can sometimes produce a similar pattern. The location of pain is therefore only one part of the assessment.
Yes. The lower back can refer pain into the buttock, outer hip or groin. If the pattern suggests this may be relevant, I will assess both areas rather than treating the hip in isolation.
Osteopathy may form part of the management of hip osteoarthritis where appropriate. The aim is not to change the arthritic process itself, but to help with comfort, movement and function while supporting strength and activity.
In many cases, activity can be modified rather than stopped completely. The amount and type of exercise depends on how irritable the hip is and what you are trying to get back to, with loading built up gradually around what you can tolerate.
A significant fall or injury with an inability to bear weight, a hot and swollen joint, severe sudden pain after trauma, rapidly worsening weakness or numbness, or severe pain with unexplained illness all need medical assessment rather than routine osteopathic care.

Ready to get started?

Book an appointment

If hip pain is getting in the way of walking, sleep, exercise or everyday movement, you can book an initial consultation to discuss what is happening and whether osteopathic care is appropriate for you.
Book an appointment