Hip Pain Treatment

Hip pain has many potential sources — the joint itself, the surrounding muscles and tendons, the bursa, or even the lumbar spine and SI joint referring pain into the hip area. Because the hip is a deep ball-and-socket joint with layers of soft tissue, pinpointing the exact cause often requires a thorough hands-on evaluation rather than imaging alone.

Common conditions we treat at The Back Clinic include:

• Hip bursitis (greater trochanteric pain syndrome) — pain on the outside of the hip, often worse when lying on that side or climbing stairs
• Hip osteoarthritis — stiffness and aching in the groin or front of the hip, especially after sitting or first thing in the morning
• Labral irritation — catching, clicking, or deep groin pain with certain movements
• Hip flexor strain — sharp pain at the front of the hip during activities like walking uphill or getting out of a car
• Gluteal tendinopathy — lateral hip pain that worsens with prolonged standing, walking, or crossing legs

Many patients with hip pain also experience compensatory issues in the knee, lower back, or opposite hip. What feels like a hip problem may actually originate from the lumbar spine, and vice versa. A comprehensive evaluation helps us identify the true source so treatment targets the right structures from the start.

Hip pain treatment at The Back Clinic begins with a detailed assessment of your joint mobility, muscle strength, movement patterns, and gait. Because the hip works closely with the pelvis and lumbar spine, we evaluate the entire chain to find contributing factors — not just the site of pain.

Your individualized plan may include:

• Manual therapy — joint mobilizations and soft tissue techniques to restore range of motion and reduce stiffness in the hip capsule
• Targeted strengthening — progressive exercises for the glutes, hip stabilizers, and core to improve support and reduce joint stress
• Gait retraining — correcting walking and movement patterns that place excessive load on the hip joint or surrounding tendons
• Flexibility and mobility work — stretching tight hip flexors, IT band, and surrounding muscles that limit normal motion
• Lumbar and SI joint assessment — evaluating and treating the lower back or sacroiliac joint when those areas refer pain to the hip

Every session at The Back Clinic is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist. You will never be handed off to an aide or left to exercise alone. This direct, hands-on approach allows us to adjust your treatment in real time, monitor progress closely, and ensure you are performing exercises correctly to avoid setbacks.

Your first visit begins with a comprehensive evaluation where your physical therapist assesses your hip mobility, strength, alignment, and functional movement. We will ask about your symptoms, daily activities, and goals so we can build a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the hip area — shorts or athletic pants work well.

Most patients with hip bursitis or tendinopathy notice meaningful improvement within four to six weeks of consistent treatment. Hip osteoarthritis may require a longer course focused on maintaining mobility and building strength to protect the joint over time. For patients considering hip replacement surgery, pre-surgical physical therapy — often called prehab — has been shown to improve post-operative outcomes and speed recovery.

We work with most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicare Advantage. In Delaware, you do not need a physician referral to begin physical therapy, so you can schedule your evaluation directly. Our front desk team can verify your benefits before your first appointment so there are no surprises. Call (302) 998-7681 or use our online scheduling tool to get started.