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Do you wake up with a stiff, aching hip that slows you down? If you’ve been asking yourself, “Why does my hip hurt?”, you’re not alone. Hip pain can affect people of all ages and make everyday activities frustrating. The hip joint is often compared to the transmission of your body – connecting your upper and lower halves and transferring power from your core to your legs. When this crucial link isn’t working properly, it can lead to serious discomfort and limit your mobility. The good news is that hip pain isn’t something you “just have to live with.” By understanding the causes of hip pain and getting the right treatment, you can get back to moving comfortably again.
In this post, we’ll break down common causes of hip pain and why it often persists. We’ll also explore what current research says about effective treatments, and how Unpain Clinic’s advanced therapies (like shockwave therapy, EMTT, and neuromodulation) can help address the root cause of your pain. Our goal is to give you clarity on why your hip hurts and what you can do about it – so you can get on the fastest path to feeling better.
Hip pain can come from a wide range of conditions, from everyday strains to chronic diseases. Some of the most common culprits include osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis of the hip joint), bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs on the outer hip), tendonitis or muscle strains (irritation of the tendons/muscles around the hip), and even nerve pain like sciatica that radiates into the hip and leg. Hip pain may start suddenly after an injury, or it may creep in gradually over time (often called non-traumatic hip pain). In fact, studies estimate that about 7–10% of older adults have hip osteoarthritis, and a common tendon injury around the hip (greater trochanteric pain syndrome) affects roughly 17% of people in their 50s–70s. Clearly, hip pain is a widespread issue – but it’s not inevitable with age, and it usually has an underlying cause that can be addressed.
Many people assume their hip hurts simply because of “aging” or general wear-and-tear. While aging can contribute, the reality is that hip pain often stems from dysfunction elsewhere in the body. In other words, the pain in your hip is usually a symptom of an imbalance or problem in how you move. Sedentary lifestyles are a major factor – spending hours sitting can weaken your gluteal muscles and tighten your hip flexors, forcing the hip joint to absorb stress it wasn’t designed for. Over time this leads to poor posture and extra wear on the joint. Previous injuries can play a hidden role too. Even something like an old ankle sprain, appendectomy, or C-section can subtly change your movement patterns and cause other muscles to compensate. These compensations, carried on for years, put uneven pressure on the hips and can eventually lead to pain, cartilage damage, or arthritis. In short, hip pain is often a warning sign that something in your overall movement chain is off balance, rather than the hip joint simply “going bad” on its own.
Another reason hip pain can persist is that traditional quick fixes sometimes mask the pain without fixing the cause. If you only treat the symptoms – for example, by taking painkillers or getting a cortisone shot – you might get temporary relief without correcting the muscle imbalances or joint dysfunction underneath. This is why people often find their hip pain keeps coming back, or even leads to problems in the other hip or low back. True healing requires finding out why the hip hurts (the weak muscles, the tight areas, the old scar tissue, etc.) and addressing those issues directly. In the next sections, we’ll see what research says about effectively managing hip pain and how the Unpain Clinic approaches treatment by focusing on these root causes.
Medical research has been shedding light on the best ways to manage hip pain – and the findings support a comprehensive, root-cause approach. Here are a few key insights from scientific studies and reviews:
Exercise and Physical Therapy: Exercise therapy is widely recommended as a first-line treatment for many hip conditions. In fact, a 2024 systematic review of patients with lateral hip pain (greater trochanteric pain syndrome) found that structured exercise significantly reduced pain and improved function in the long term. Patients who did targeted hip exercises had better global improvement than those who only got cortisone injections. Based on the evidence, experts strongly recommend exercise therapy as an initial treatment for chronic hip tendon pain and bursitis. The take-home message: strengthening the right muscles and improving hip mechanics can make a real difference in reducing pain.
Shockwave Therapy: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. Research suggests shockwave therapy can be very helpful for chronic hip pain conditions – especially those involving tendons or bursae. A recent meta-analysis of clinical trials reported that just three weekly shockwave sessions provided significant short-term pain relief (at 2–4 months follow-up) for patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome, compared to other standard treatments. Focused shockwave therapy was particularly effective for reducing pain in these hip tendon injuries. While more high-quality studies are needed, the authors concluded that ESWT is a promising alternative or complement to steroid injections and exercise in stubborn hip pain cases. In practical terms, this means shockwave therapy isn’t just hype – it has peer-reviewed evidence showing it can break the pain cycle and improve function in chronic hip conditions.
EMTT (Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy): Another emerging therapy for hip pain is Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT), which uses pulsed magnetic fields (similar to PEMF therapy) to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. A 2022 systematic review of studies on osteoarthritis found that pulsed electromagnetic field therapy can effectively provide short-term relief of pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients, with improved joint function as well. The treatment is non-invasive and highly safe, with minimal side effects. However, the research also noted that studies varied in design and quality, so we should be cautious in interpreting results. Still, these findings are encouraging – pulsed electromagnetic therapy (like EMTT) may offer a useful, drug-free way to calm irritated tissues and support the body’s natural healing in hip disorders.
Neuromodulation Techniques: “Neuromodulation” refers to therapies that alter nerve activity to relieve pain – often through mild electrical stimulation. Clinical evidence in pain management shows that certain forms of non-invasive neuromodulation (such as microcurrent stimulation) can help by calming overactive pain nerves and re-balancing the nervous system’s response to pain. For example, research reviews have found that microcurrent therapy, applied to key nerves, is being used increasingly often for chronic pain patients with good success. In the hip, neuromodulation might involve techniques like electrical stimulation of nerves or muscles to reduce pain signals and improve muscle firing patterns. While this is a developing field, it offers yet another avenue to address hip pain, especially nerve-related pain or muscle inhibition issues, in a way that standard exercises or medications might not.
Manual Therapy and Holistic Rehab: High-quality guidelines for hip osteoarthritis emphasize that a combination of manual therapy (hands-on techniques) and exercise yields the best outcomes for pain and mobility. Skilled manual therapy – such as joint mobilization, soft tissue release, or stretching techniques – can improve your hip’s range of motion and reduce tension in surrounding muscles. One study found that patients who received manual therapy for hip osteoarthritis had better improvements in pain and function than those who did exercise alone. However, the real power comes when these approaches are combined. A physical therapist or chiropractor can use manual techniques to “free up” the joint and then prescribe specific exercises to strengthen weak muscles, giving you both immediate relief and long-term stability. Research consistently shows that addressing hip pain from multiple angles (muscles, joint, nerves, and movement patterns) leads to superior results compared to any single modality.
In summary, modern evidence favors a comprehensive approach to hip pain. Simply resting or relying on pain pills is rarely a lasting solution. By staying active with the right exercises, using advanced therapies like shockwave or EMTT when appropriate, and working with clinicians who treat the root causes, you can significantly reduce hip pain and often avoid more invasive measures. Next, let’s see how these evidence-based strategies are put into practice at Unpain Clinic.
At Unpain Clinic, our philosophy is: don’t just ask “Where does it hurt?” – find out “Why does it hurt?”. Our team takes a whole-body, science-backed approach to treating hip pain. We combine cutting-edge technologies with hands-on care to address the underlying causes of your pain, not just the symptoms. Here are some of the advanced treatment options for hip pain available at Unpain Clinic, and how each can help get you back on your feet:
One of the most effective tools in our arsenal is Shockwave Therapy. Shockwave therapy involves sending high-energy sound waves into painful or injured areas to stimulate healing. Unlike a temporary painkiller, shockwaves trigger biological changes in your tissues – they break down scar tissue, increase local blood flow, and even promote new collagen growth to repair damage. This therapy essentially jump-starts your body’s natural healing processes in the hip.
For example, if you have chronic hip bursitis or tendon degeneration, those tissues likely have scarred, poor blood circulation and reduced healing capacity. Shockwave can remove deep adhesions and encourage fresh blood supply to the area, allowing the tissue to regenerate properly. Research has confirmed its benefits: shockwave treatments have been shown to provide significant pain relief and functional improvement in stubborn lateral hip pain cases within a few months. Focused shockwave (which we use at Unpain) can penetrate up to 5 inches deep into the hip region, targeting the exact spot of injury with precision. Our own clinical experience mirrors the studies – we’ve seen incredible results using shockwave therapy for hip dysfunctions like greater trochanteric bursitis, effectively relieving pain and inflammation even when other treatments failed.
During a shockwave session, a clinician moves a handheld device over the hip area, delivering pulses that you might feel as tiny tapping sensations. There’s no surgery, no needles, and minimal downtime. Over a series of sessions (often 3–5), patients commonly report improved mobility and reduction in that nagging deep hip pain. Shockwave therapy is a game-changer for many with chronic hip issues – by repairing tissues and resetting muscle function, it helps fix the root cause, not just numb the pain.
Another advanced option we offer is EMTT (Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy), which is a form of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. EMTT might sound high-tech, but it’s actually a comfortable, non-invasive treatment – you simply lie down while a device emits pulsing magnetic waves into the affected area. These electromagnetic pulses penetrate into your hip joint and surrounding muscles to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and enhance cellular repair. Think of it as a deep tissue soother that works at the cellular level (without any sensation or pain during treatment).
EMTT is especially useful for arthritic joints and chronic soft-tissue injuries. By modulating the electrical signals in your cells, it can calm overactive pain nerves and promote the release of growth factors needed for healing. Scientific reviews have found that pulsed electromagnetic field therapy leads to short-term improvements in pain and stiffness for osteoarthritis patients – patients feel less pain and can move a bit easier after a course of treatment. At Unpain Clinic, we often combine EMTT with shockwave therapy in a session. The two therapies complement each other: shockwave breaks up scar tissue and triggers regeneration, while EMTT immediately follows up by reducing inflammation and swelling in the area. This one-two punch can accelerate recovery without drugs or injections. EMTT has no known side effects (it’s FDA-approved for musculoskeletal pain), and many patients find it relaxing – you might just feel a gentle warmth or nothing at all during treatment. If your hip pain involves a lot of inflammation (like an arthritic flare or bursitis), EMTT can be an ideal modality to cool things down and set the stage for healing.
When pain has been present for a long time, the nervous system itself can get “hypersensitive.” This is where Neuromodulation therapy comes in. Neuromodulation involves using very low-level electrical currents or other stimuli to rebalance the nervous system’s activity and diminish pain signals. At Unpain Clinic, we utilize state-of-the-art devices that deliver comfortable microcurrent stimulation through the skin to target nerves affecting the hip and lower back region. This is completely non-invasive – no needles – and you typically feel only a mild tingling or nothing at all.
How can this help your hip? Chronic hip pain can cause certain nerves to fire in overdrive, perpetuating pain even after tissues have healed. Neuromodulation essentially “resets” these nerves to a calmer state. It also encourages the release of natural pain-relieving neurotransmitters. Studies on microcurrent neuromodulation have shown it to be increasingly successful in treating various chronic pain conditions, with many pain clinics adopting it as a standard tool. For hip pain, neuromodulation might be used to reduce nerve irritation from a pinched nerve in the back or to improve muscle firing patterns (for example, getting a better contraction of the glutes by stimulating the nerve pathways). Patients often report that after neuromodulation sessions, they can stretch or move their hip with less pain and get more benefit from their exercises. It’s a gentle yet powerful way to address the neurological aspect of pain – because pain isn’t just about joints and muscles, but also how your brain and nerves are processing signals.
No hip treatment plan would be complete without hands-on therapy and exercise rehabilitation. Our physiotherapists and chiropractors are highly skilled in manual techniques that can relieve your pain and correct biomechanical issues. For example, if your hip joint is stiff or slightly misaligned, gentle joint mobilizations or traction can improve its movement. If you have tight muscles or trigger points (knots), soft tissue massage and stretching can release those. Often, patients with hip pain also have related dysfunction in the pelvis, lower back, or knees – our clinicians will assess and treat those areas too, because the body works as a connected unit. By improving the mobility in your spine and pelvis, we can take excess strain off the hip. By releasing tight thigh muscles or hip flexors, we reduce abnormal pulling on the hip joint.
After preparing your body with manual therapy, we then guide you through targeted exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your hips. This typically includes activating the gluteal muscles (your buttocks), which are crucial stabilizers for the hip joint. Weak glutes are a common issue that leads to hip overload. We’ll also work on your core strength and thigh muscles to ensure balance. Simple exercises like clamshells, bridges or hip thrusts, and resistance band side-steps are often part of the routine to build a stable, resilient hip. Don’t worry – we tailor the exercises to your fitness level and pain tolerance, and we coach you on proper form. The goal is to restore normal movement patterns. Remember, as one of our podcast episodes highlights, healing a hip isn’t just about the hip itself – it’s about retraining your whole body to move correctly again. Strengthening the right muscles (while avoiding over-reliance on the wrong ones) ensures that once you’re pain-free, you stay that way.
Importantly, we educate you throughout the process. You’ll learn which movements or postures may have contributed to your hip pain (for instance, excessive sitting or poor squat form) and how to modify them. We’ll teach you stretches for tight areas – a common one is a gentle hip flexor stretch to counteract all those hours of sitting. Other useful at-home exercises might include hamstring stretches, piriformis stretches (figure-4 stretch), and foam rolling the outer thigh to loosen the iliotibial band. By integrating these into your daily routine, you maintain the progress from your treatments and prevent future flare-ups.
Finally, our clinicians will monitor your improvement closely. If something isn’t working, we adjust the plan. Our whole-body approach means we might also look above and below the hip – sometimes relieving lower back tension or correcting foot mechanics can dramatically ease hip stress. This comprehensive, individualized care is what sets Unpain Clinic apart. We’re not satisfied with just getting you some relief; we aim to fix the underlying dysfunction so you can return to an active, pain-free life.
To illustrate how these treatments come together, let’s look at a real-world example. Meet Curtis – a patient featured in one of our Unpain Clinic success stories. Curtis had been struggling with hip flexor pain and lower back pain for years. He tried many conventional treatments, from rest and pain medications to standard physiotherapy exercises, but nothing provided lasting relief. The pain in his hip was sharp and would flare up whenever he walked long distances or tried to exercise, and it began affecting his sleep and mood. Frustrated by the cycle of “pain, temporary relief, then pain again,” Curtis came to Unpain Clinic looking for answers.
During his initial assessment, our team performed a head-to-toe evaluation and discovered a few key issues: his core and glute muscles were weak, his pelvis was slightly tilted due to an old injury, and he had scar tissue from an appendectomy years ago that was limiting his hip mobility. These underlying problems were all contributing to his hip flexor being overworked and inflamed. In short, the source of Curtis’s hip pain wasn’t just in the hip – it was a combination of muscular imbalance and scar tissue from past surgery causing compensation.
With these insights, we created a personalized treatment plan. First, we used focused shockwave therapy around his hip flexor tendon and scar tissue. The shockwaves helped break up the adhesions and significantly reduced the tension in the area. After a couple of sessions, Curtis noticed the pinching pain at the front of his hip was much less intense. We then introduced EMTT sessions to further calm inflammation in his hip joint and lumbar spine. Curtis described these magnetic therapy sessions as surprisingly relaxing – he would often nearly fall asleep during treatment! Over a few weeks, as the pain subsided, our physiotherapist worked on manual adjustments and stretches to correct his pelvic alignment and increase his hip range of motion. Curtis particularly found that the hip joint mobilizations “unlocked” a stiffness he didn’t realize he had.
The final phase was functional exercise rehab. We coached Curtis through glute-strengthening moves like bridges and clamshells, plus core stability exercises. At first, even a basic bridge was challenging for him because his glutes were underactive. But with practice and progression (adding resistance bands, etc.), he gained strength steadily. After 6–8 weeks, Curtis experienced a transformation: he could now do a full hip thrust exercise with proper form – something that was impossible before due to pain. His lower back pain also faded as his core engagement improved.
Curtis’s journey was not an overnight miracle; it was a gradual rebuilding. However, by addressing the why behind his hip pain, he achieved results that lasted. He happily reported that he could go on long hikes with his family again without paying for it later. Even activities like lifting his toddler, which used to aggravate his hip, became painless because now he was using the correct muscles to do it. In a follow-up podcast interview, Curtis shared how this root-cause approach “gave me my life back” – he no longer feared his hip giving out or needing surgery down the road. This kind of patient success story is what motivates us at Unpain Clinic. By treating the whole person and not just an MRI report or a single symptom, we aim to empower patients like Curtis to truly heal and regain confidence in their bodies.
While professional treatments are vital, there’s a lot you can do at home to support your recovery and prevent future hip pain. Here are some simple, safe at-home tips and exercises to keep your hips healthy:
Keep Moving (But Avoid Prolonged Sitting): One of the worst things for hips is staying sedentary for too long. If you have a desk job, try to stand up and stretch every 30-60 minutes. A short walk or doing a few gentle squats can help counteract the stiffness from sitting. Staying generally active (walking, cycling, or swimming) maintains blood flow to your hip joints and can fend off stiffness. Studies suggest even moderate activity each week can improve hip joint health and reduce pain in the long run. Tip: If your hip gets sore after sitting, use a standing desk or sit on a firm chair with a rolled towel under your sit bones to keep your hips aligned.
Stretch Key Muscle Groups: Gentle stretching can relieve tension around the hips. Focus on stretches for the hip flexors, hamstrings, glutes, and inner thighs. For example, try a hip flexor stretch: kneel on one knee (pillow under knee), tilt your pelvis forward, and lean your weight gently forward until you feel a stretch in front of the hip – hold 30 seconds each side. A piriformis stretch (figure-4 stretch) can ease deep buttock tension: lie on your back and cross one ankle over the opposite knee, then pull that thigh toward you until you feel a stretch in your buttock. Hold 30 seconds. Our physiotherapy team also recommends the classic butterfly stretch for inner thighs (sitting with soles of feet together) and a lying knee-to-chest stretch for the glutes/lower back. Do these stretches daily, but avoid bouncing – use slow, sustained holds and breathe deeply.
Hip Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening the muscles that support your hip is one of the best ways to prevent pain. You don’t need a gym; many effective hip exercises use just body weight or resistance bands. A few patient favorites:
Clamshells: Lie on your side with knees bent and ankles together. Keeping your ankles touching, lift the top knee as high as comfortable (like a clamshell opening). You should feel your glute (side of your buttock) working. Do 10–15 reps per side. This targets the gluteus medius, an important stabilizer.
Glute Bridges: Lie on your back with knees bent, feet on floor. Squeeze your buttocks and lift your hips toward the ceiling until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Hold 2 seconds, then lower. Repeat 10–15 times. To progress, you can try single-leg bridges or add a resistance band around your thighs.
Hip Abduction Walks (Band Walks): Place a loop band around your ankles or just above the knees. Stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Step out to the side against the band’s resistance, one step at a time, keeping tension on the band. Do 10 steps in one direction, then back. This strengthens the outer hip and glutes.
Squats (Chair Squats): Practice sitting down into a chair and standing back up without using your hands. Focus on pushing through your heels and keeping knees over ankles. Squats build overall hip and leg strength. Start with 8–10 controlled reps.
Remember to engage your core during these exercises and avoid any that cause sharp pain. Muscle soreness is okay, joint pain is not. Consistency is key – doing a little bit each day is better than one big workout on the weekend. Over time, these exercises can increase the support around your hip joint, so it doesn’t get irritated so easily during daily activities.
Use Heat for Tightness, Ice for Flares: For managing symptoms at home, heat and ice are simple yet effective tools. If your hip feels stiff and tight (for example, first thing in the morning or after a long day), applying a heating pad or warm towel for 15 minutes can loosen the muscles and improve circulation. This is great before doing your stretches. On the other hand, if you’re experiencing a pain flare-up or noticeable swelling (say you overdid an activity and your bursitis is acting up), icing the area for 10–15 minutes can reduce inflammation and numb the ache. Always wrap ice in a cloth and check your skin to avoid frostbite. Some patients alternate heat and ice (contrast therapy) to get the benefits of both.
Mind Your Posture and Body Mechanics: Little changes in how you move or sit can prevent a lot of hip stress. Avoid consistently crossing one leg over the other when sitting, as this can put asymmetrical strain on your hips. When lifting objects (even something like picking up groceries or a child), try to squat down using your legs instead of bending at the waist – this protects both your back and hips. Sleeping position matters too: many people with hip pain find relief by sleeping with a pillow between their knees if they’re side-sleepers, which keeps the hips aligned. If you’re a back-sleeper, a pillow under the knees can take pressure off the lower back and hips.
By incorporating these home strategies with the treatments from your healthcare providers, you create the ideal environment for healing. Always listen to your body – “no pain, no gain” does not apply when rehabbing an injury. Discomfort or mild soreness is normal when you start new exercises, but sharp pain is a signal to stop and consult a professional. And as always, consistency and patience are important. Small daily efforts – a short walk here, a stretch there, an exercise session a few times a week – will compound into significant improvements in your hip health over time.
Common causes of hip pain include:
Osteoarthritis: wear-and-tear damage to the hip’s cartilage, leading to joint pain and stiffness (especially in older adults).
Bursitis: inflammation of the bursae (fluid sacs) on the side of the hip, often causing outer hip pain that’s tender to touch.
Tendinitis and Muscle Strains: overuse or injury to tendons (like hip flexor tendinitis or hamstring strains) can cause front or back hip pain.
Labral Tears or Impingement: damage to the cartilage rim inside the hip joint (common in athletes) can cause groin pain and clicking sensations.
Referred Pain: sometimes hip pain is actually referred from another area – for example, a pinched nerve in the lower back (sciatica) can create pain that radiates down the buttock and legunpainclinic.com. This nerve pain often comes with tingling or numbness.
Others: less common causes include rheumatoid arthritis, stress fractures in the femur (in athletes or osteoporotic bones), or avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to the hip bone).
It’s important to note that hip and lower back problems can overlap. If your pain travels down your leg, involves numbness, or extends into your lower back, a thorough exam is needed to pinpoint the source. Often, paying attention to exactly where the pain is and what triggers it (walking, sitting, night time, etc.) will help your provider narrow down the cause. At Unpain Clinic, we consider all these possibilities and use assessment tools (like orthopedic tests or diagnostic imaging if needed) to identify what’s really causing your hip pain.
Pain that starts in the hip or buttock and radiates down the leg is often related to nerve irritation. The classic cause is sciatica, which refers to compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve (usually from a disc issue or arthritis in the lower spine). Sciatica typically causes a sharp or burning pain that travels from the buttock down the back or side of the thigh, sometimes all the way to the foot, and may be accompanied by numbness or tingling. However, not all radiating leg pain is true sciatica. Tight or injured muscles in the hip (like the piriformis or gluteal muscles) can also send achy pain down the leg due to trigger points – this pain is often more diffuse and doesn’t cause tingling.
Another possible cause is nerve impingement in the hip region. For example, if swelling from bursitis or a bone spur pinches a smaller nerve, you might feel zinging pain in the outer thigh. Hip joint arthritis can sometimes refer pain to the groin and front of the thigh.
Because there are multiple causes, it’s best to have a professional evaluate radiating leg pain. They will perform tests to see if it’s nerve-related and determine the level (back vs. hip). The good news is that many causes of radiating pain are treatable with conservative measures. For instance, improving hip and back flexibility can relieve nerve pressure, and therapies like shockwave or neuromodulation can reduce irritation around the nerve. Key point: if you experience radiating pain with weakness in the leg or progressive numbness, seek medical attention promptly, as this could indicate a more urgent nerve compression.
Preventing hip pain involves maintaining good hip health and overall fitness. Here are some strategies recommended by our clinicians:
Stay Active: Regular physical activity keeps the muscles around your hips strong and flexible. Aim for a balanced exercise routine that includes low-impact cardio (e.g., walking, cycling, swimming) and strength training for your legs and core. Even 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week can make a difference. Movement lubricates the hip joint and helps control body weight (extra weight adds stress to the hips).
Stretch and Strengthen: Make hip stretches and strengthening exercises part of your weekly routine – even if you’re not in pain. Stretching hip flexors, hamstrings, and glutes can prevent tightness. Strengthening the glutes, core, and hip abductors (outer thigh) provides stability. Think of exercises like squats, lunges, or yoga flows that open the hips.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Carrying excess body weight increases the load on your hip joints with every step. Over time, this can contribute to cartilage wear (osteoarthritis). By keeping your weight in a healthy range, you reduce that chronic strain. If weight loss is needed, combine diet changes with exercise – even a 5-10% reduction in body weight can significantly cut down hip pressure.
Mind Your Movement Mechanics: Use proper form during activities. When lifting heavy objects, use your legs (squat down) rather than bending at the waist. Avoid repetitive motions that irritate your hips (or take frequent breaks and use padding/equipment to reduce stress – e.g., kneel on a cushion when gardening). If you’re a runner or athlete, incorporate cross-training to avoid overworking the same hip structures, and ensure you have good footwear and possibly a gait analysis to spot any biomechanical issues.
Home Safety and Injury Prevention: Especially for older adults – prevent falls or sudden injuries that can damage the hip. Use night lights at home, secure loose rugs, and be cautious on slippery surfaces. Gentle balance exercises (like standing on one leg) can improve your stability and reduce fall risk. Also, if you have osteoporosis, follow your doctor’s guidance on supplements/medications to maintain bone density, as weak bones are more prone to hip fractures.
Sometimes hip pain isn’t entirely avoidable (we can’t change our genetics or past injuries), but following these practices greatly stacks the odds in your favor. And if you do notice early twinges of hip discomfort, address them sooner rather than later – a timely physiotherapy check-up or adjusting your workouts can stop a minor issue from becoming a major one.
It can be confusing whom to consult for hip pain. In general, chiropractors and physiotherapists are both excellent starting points for evaluating musculoskeletal hip pain. Both are trained to assess joint function, muscle imbalances, and movement patterns:
A physiotherapist (physical therapist) will focus on exercise rehabilitation, manual therapy, and modalities to reduce pain. They are skilled in creating exercise programs to strengthen weak areas and improve flexibility.
A chiropractor will focus on the alignment and mobility of your joints, including the spine and pelvis which relate to hip function. They can perform adjustments or manipulations if needed, and often incorporate soft tissue work and exercise advice as well.
For hip pain without a traumatic injury, you don’t usually need to see an orthopedic surgeon right away. In fact, conservative care from a physio or chiro is recommended as the first step. They will refer you to an orthopedic or sports medicine doctor if they suspect something that needs further medical intervention (like a severe labral tear, fracture, or if imaging/injections are required). If you have severe pain that came on after a major injury (like a fall) or symptoms like inability to bear weight, leg numbness, fever, or sudden swelling, you should see a medical doctor promptly to rule out fractures or infections.
Both physiotherapists and chiropractors at Unpain Clinic are experienced in hip pain treatment, and they often work together. The key is seeing someone who will thoroughly assess why your hip hurts. Many patients at our clinic actually get a blend of therapies: you might have a session with a physio for exercise therapy and a session with a chiro for joint mobilization, as part of a coordinated plan. Rest assured, if you choose Unpain Clinic for your hip pain, our team approach means you’ll get the benefit of multiple expertise. The bottom line is yes – absolutely see a qualified healthcare provider for hip pain, and don’t tough it out alone. Early professional guidance can speed up your recovery and ensure you’re doing the right things for your specific condition.
If your hip pain is due to severe joint damage – for instance, advanced osteoarthritis – you may wonder about hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement is generally considered when conservative treatments can no longer manage the pain or when hip damage significantly limits your mobility and quality of life. The decision for surgery is made in consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, often after imaging (like X-rays) confirms bone-on-bone changes.
Canada has many excellent orthopedic surgeons and joint replacement programs. “Top-rated hip replacement clinics” are typically found in major centers – for example, orthopedic specialty hospitals in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, etc. However, since healthcare in Canada is coordinated, you usually need a referral from a family doctor or specialist to see an orthopedic surgeon. They will then direct you to the appropriate hospital. It’s not so much about shopping for a clinic as getting under the care of a reputable surgeon. Rest assured, Canadian surgeons are using very advanced hip implant technologies, including ceramic and highly cross-linked polyethylene implants that last longer, and some centers use robotic-assisted surgery for improved precision in implant positioning. These innovations (like the MAKO robotic system or patient-specific 3D printed implants) are available in Canada and have shown promising results in improving implant longevity and alignment.
If you’re at the point of considering a hip replacement, it’s wise to also discuss “prehab” with your physiotherapist. Strengthening your muscles before surgery can lead to a smoother recovery after. At Unpain Clinic, we’ve even helped patients prepare for and recover from joint replacements by using shockwave and EMTT to keep surrounding tissues healthy and manage pain (some patients find these therapies help delay the need for surgery or make postoperative rehab easier).
Always remember: surgery is the last resort, but it can be life-changing when truly needed. If you’re unsure whether your hip pain warrants surgery, book an assessment with us first. We can provide an honest opinion and, if appropriate, refer you to a trusted orthopedic specialist. Our aim is to help you avoid surgery if possible, but also to guide you to the right resources if surgery is the best path. Many patients find that with the right conservative care, their pain becomes manageable and they can postpone or avoid a hip replacement. Each case is unique, so making an informed decision with input from both conservative therapists and surgeons will ensure the best outcome for you.
Booking a consultation for your hip pain at Unpain Clinic is easy! We welcome new patients and make the process as convenient as possible:
Online Booking: You can use our online booking system on our website (or click the “Book Appointment” link) to schedule an initial assessment at a time and location that works for you. It’s a quick process – just select “Initial Assessment” and choose an available slot.
By Phone: If you prefer to talk to someone, feel free to call our clinic during business hours. Our friendly front desk staff will help find a suitable appointment and answer any questions about services or direct billing.
Locations: We have clinics in Edmonton Summerside, and Derrick Club. Choose whichever is most convenient. All our clinics offer hip pain assessments by licensed physiotherapists or chiropractors who are also shockwave therapy experts.
No Referral Needed: You do not need a doctor’s referral to see us. We are primary healthcare practitioners, so you can come straight to us for your hip concern. If you have any relevant X-rays or MRI reports, you can bring them, but it’s not mandatory.
What to Expect: During your initial assessment (60 minutes long), we will go through your health history, your specific hip issues, and do a thorough physical examination (don’t worry, we guide you through simple movements and tests). Wear or bring comfortable clothing like shorts or leggings so we can easily evaluate your hip movement. By the end, we’ll explain our findings and outline a personalized treatment plan for you.
Booking a consultation is the first step toward getting answers and relief. We often hear patients say, “I wish I’d done this sooner.” So don’t hesitate – if your hip has been bothering you, contact us and let’s get you on the path to feeling better.
Persistent hip pain can be discouraging – it limits the activities you love and can leave you worrying about your future mobility. But as we’ve explored, hip pain always has a reason, and more importantly, it has solutions. By identifying why your hip hurts (whether it’s an irritated tendon from muscle imbalances, an old scar causing biomechanical issues, or wear-and-tear arthritis compounded by poor movement patterns), we can target treatments to address those causes. Modern pain science and rehab techniques give us an array of tools – from exercise therapy and manual adjustments to high-tech innovations like shockwave, EMTT, and neuromodulation – that can provide relief and even help regenerate injured tissues.
Instead of chasing symptoms or settling for temporary fixes, the whole-body approach focuses on long-term healing. As we emphasized, the hip is the body’s power transmission; when we reset that transmission and restore proper alignment and muscle function, the difference is remarkable. Pain decreases, mobility increases, and patients often regain abilities they thought were lost for good. Scientific research supports this comprehensive approach, and we see the proof in our patients’ successes every day.
If you’re tired of the cycle of trying everything and feeling little improvement, consider taking the next step with a clinic that looks at the bigger picture. We hope this post has given you clarity and hope – you now know the common causes of hip pain and the array of treatment options (both self-care and professional) that can help. The journey to a pain-free hip is a team effort: you putting in effort with exercises and lifestyle tweaks, and us providing expert therapy and guidance. Together, we can get you back to moving freely and enjoying life with a happy, healthy hip.
Now, as you’re informed about “why does my hip hurt?” and how we address it, we invite you to take action on that knowledge. Don’t let hip pain hold you back any longer – let’s work on why it hurts and fix it for good.
Book Your Initial Assessment NowAt Unpain Clinic, we don’t just ask “Where does it hurt?” — we uncover “Why does it hurt?”
If you’ve been frustrated by the cycle of “try everything, feel nothing,” this assessment is for you. We take a whole-body approach so you leave with clarity, not more questions.
✅ What’s Included
Comprehensive history & goal setting
Orthopedic & muscle testing (head-to-toe)
Motion analysis
Imaging decisions (if needed)
Pain pattern mapping
Personalized treatment roadmap
Benefit guidance
🕑 Important Details
60 minutes, assessment only
No treatment in this visit
👩⚕️ Who You’ll See
A licensed Registered Physiotherapist or Chiropractor
🔜 What Happens Next
If you’re a fit, we schedule your first treatment and start executing your plan.
🌟 Why Choose Unpain Clinic
Whole-body assessment, not symptom-chasing
Root-cause focus, not temporary relief
Non-invasive where possible
No long-term upsells — just honest, effective care
🎯 Outcome
You’ll walk out knowing:
What’s wrong
Why it hurts
The fastest path to fix it
Author: Uran Berisha, BSc PT, RMT, Shockwave Expert
1. Rhim HC, et al. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of RCTs. JBJS Rev. 2024;12(8):e24.00091pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. Kjeldsen T, et al. Exercise vs Other Treatments in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Physiotherapy. 2024;123:69-80sciencedirect.comsciencedirect.com
3. Markovic L, et al. Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on outcomes associated with osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2022;134:425–433link.springer.com
4. Frontiers in Pain Research (2025). Pain and the autonomic nervous system: The role of non-invasive neuromodulation with NESA microcurrentsfrontiersin.org
5. Unpain Clinic Podcast – The Hidden Connection Between Your Hips and the Rest of Your Body. Episode #5, 2023unpainclinic.comunpainclinic.com
6. Unpain Clinic Blog – Unlocking the Hidden Power of Your Hip Joints: Why Your Hips are the Body’s Transmission. Dec 9, 2024unpainclinic.com
7. Unpain Clinic – Physiotherapy for Hip Pain Relief in Edmonton (Web Page)unpainclinic.comunpainclinic.com
8. Fernandez-Cuadros ME, et al. Microcurrent Stimulation for Chronic Pain – A Narrative Review. Pain Res Treat. 2022 (Article ID 7672043)frontiersin.org
9. JAMA Internal Med. Prevalence of Hip Osteoarthritis in Older Adults. 2010;170(15):1268-75jamanetwork.com
10. Unpain Clinic YouTube – Life-Changing Pain Relief! Curtis’ Journey to Living Pain-Free, 2025facebook.com
