Hip pain can stem from a variety of underlying conditions. Problems with the hip joint itself, or the muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue that support the joint can all be sources of hip pain. Hip pain may also be caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. The links below highlight the sources of the most common types of hip pain we treat. Click on the links to learn more about the condition and the treatment options associated with each.
Also known as femoroacetabular impingement “FAI”, is a condition that we see most often in young and middle-aged adults. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. Impingement occurs when the ball (femoral head) rubs abnormallyor doesn’t have full range of motion in the socket (acetabulum). Over time, restricted motion and friction in the hip joint can damage the cartilage that lines the socket. In most cases, the pain caused by FAI is located in the front of the hip.
To treat hip impingement syndrome, manual therapies may include one, or a combination of, the following:
ART (Active Release Technique)
Hip bursitis is caused by inflammation of one or more of the bursa(s) surrounding the hip joint. Bursas are small fluid-filled sacks located throughout the body, where they act as cushions to prevent friction between bone and the overlying soft tissue (tendons and muscles). Since the primary function of bursas is to allow moving muscles to slide smoothly over bone, activity can intensify the pain associated with an inflamed bursa. The trochanteric bursa, which cushions the bony prominence on the outside of the hip joint, is the most commonly inflamed bursa in the hip. It can be injured due to direct trauma or friction.
When treating hip bursitis, our first objective is to determine the cause of the pain and discomfort. Muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, and overuse may all contribute to inflammation of the bursa. Applying direct pressure to a bursa can further irritate the area, therefore, we apply manual therapy techniques to surrounding tissues rather than the bursa itself. Once the acute pain is lessened, we prescribe corrective exercises for long-term management of the condition.
To treat hip bursitis, manual therapies may include one, or a combination of, the following:
ART (Active Release Techniques)
IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization)
Trigger Point Dry Needling (depending on situation)
Chiropractic Manipulation/Mobilization – including traction of the hip joint to optimize alignment and range of motion
Hip flexor pain is common in athletes who engage in sports requiring repetitive motions of the hip such as runners and cyclists. It is characterized by pain when lifting the knee to the chest, and inflammation in the hip area. Hip flexor pain can also be the result of a tear in one of the hip flexor muscles (usually the psoas muscle(s)) due to sudden trauma.
To treat hip flexor pain, manual therapies may include one, or a combination of, the following:
ART (Active Release Techniques)
often called a “pain in the butt” is a disorder that occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. The symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome are pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks. This pain may also radiate down the lower thigh and into the leg (along the path of the sciatic nerve).
To treat piriformis syndrome, manual therapies may include one, or a combination of, the following:
ART (Active Release Techniques) to alleviate tension in the piriformis muscle
Sciatica is a relatively common condition resulting from pressure on or irritation of the five spinal nerve roots (which give rise to each sciatic nerve) and/or the sciatic nerves themselves. Sciatic pain is usually felt in the lower back, buttock, or in parts of the leg and foot. In addition to the pain, which may be severe, sciatica can also cause numbness, muscular weakness, tingling and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg.
Pressure on the sciatic nerve may be the result of a herniated disk, muscle tension (such as that seen in Piriformis syndrome) or very rarely tumors or bony growths. The paired sciatic nerves originate from opposite sides of the lower spine and run the entire length of each leg. Each nerve controls muscles in the back of the thigh, knee and lower leg, as well as the sole of the foot. The location of the pressure on the sciatic nerve determines where the patient feels sciatic pain.
To treat sciatica, manual therapies may include one, or a combination of, the following:
ART (Active Release Technique)
Trigger Point Dry Needling (depending on situation)
Chiropractic Manipulation/Mobilization
Corrective Exercise for muscle imbalances that may be the source of sciatic pain