What Is Hip & Pelvic Pain?
Hip and pelvic pain refers to discomfort around the hip joint, groin, buttocks or pelvic region. Symptoms may vary depending on the structures involved and can affect walking, sitting, standing and daily activities.
Common causes include hip joint conditions, tendon-related pain, sacroiliac joint disorders and referred pain from the lower back.
The hips, pelvis and lower back work together during movement. Restrictions in one area may change how other joints move and carry load, although not all hip or pelvic pain is caused by movement restrictions.
Where You Feel Hip & Pelvic Pain — and What It May Be Linked To
Front of the Hip or Groin
Pain in the groin or front of the hip may be associated with hip joint conditions, including osteoarthritis or femoroacetabular impingement. Hip rotation and weight-bearing activities may reproduce symptoms.
Outer Side of the Hip
Pain around the outside of the hip may involve the gluteal tendons or surrounding tissues. Symptoms can occur when lying on one side, climbing stairs or standing on one leg.
Buttock or Back of the Hip
Buttock pain may arise from local muscles, tendons, the hip or referred pain from the lumbar spine. Examining both hip and lower back movement can help identify possible sources.
Sacroiliac Joint Region
Pain around the back of the pelvis, near the sacroiliac joint, may have several possible causes. Clinical examination helps distinguish SI joint-related pain from lumbar or hip conditions.
What Can Contribute to Hip & Pelvic Pain?
Hip and pelvic pain can have several contributing factors. Assessment helps identify whether symptoms are related to the hip joint, surrounding tissues, lower back or movement-related loading.
Hip Joint Restrictions
Muscle & Tendon Problems
Pelvic & Lower Back Conditions
Repeated Loading & Movement Patterns
Limited hip mobility or rotation may affect activities such as walking, squatting and getting in or out of a car. Joint stiffness can develop from several conditions, including osteoarthritis.
The gluteal muscles and tendons help control the hip during standing and walking. Tendon irritation or changes in loading may contribute to pain around the outside of the hip.
Pain felt around the pelvis or buttocks may originate from the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint or surrounding structures. These areas are assessed together when symptoms overlap.
Walking, running or exercising with limited hip mobility may change how load is distributed. We assess whether repeated movement and weight transfer are relevant to your symptoms.
Hip & Pelvic Movement Assessment
Understanding Your Hip & Pelvic Movement
We begin by reviewing your symptoms and screening for conditions that may require medical attention. When appropriate, we assess hip mobility, pelvic movement and walking patterns to identify relevant restrictions and movement difficulties.
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The aim is to identify potential sources of pain, determine whether movement restrictions are relevant and decide whether chiropractic care, exercise or further medical assessment is appropriate.
Hip & Pelvic Pain History
Review when your pain started, where it occurs, what aggravates it and how it affects walking, sitting and everyday activities.
Hip Joint Mobility
Assess hip flexion, extension and internal and external rotation to identify restrictions and movements that reproduce your symptoms.
Pelvis & Lower Back
Assess pelvic and lumbar movement and their relationship with hip mobility, particularly when pain occurs around the buttocks or sacroiliac region.
Walking & Weight Transfer
Observe how you transfer weight between your legs during walking and single-leg activities, looking for relevant movement restrictions and compensations.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment Based on What We Find
WHEN TO GET ASSESSED
Hip & Pelvic Symptoms Worth Discussing
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RECURRING HIP OR GROIN PAIN
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HIP STIFFNESS AFTER SITTING
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PAIN WHEN WALKING OR CLIMBING STAIRS
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LIMITED HIP ROTATION OR MOBILITY
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PAIN AROUND THE BUTTOCKS OR SI JOINT
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DISCOMFORT WHEN STANDING ON ONE LEG
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HIP PAIN WHEN LYING ON YOUR SIDE
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HIP OR PELVIC PAIN AFFECTING DAILY ACTIVITIES
Persistent, recurring or worsening hip and pelvic pain should be assessed. The appropriate care depends on your symptoms, clinical findings and underlying condition.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek urgent medical attention for severe hip pain following an injury, inability to bear weight, or a hot, swollen hip accompanied by fever. New bladder or bowel dysfunction, numbness around the groin or progressive leg weakness may indicate a spinal emergency. Call 000 for emergency assistance when appropriate. Unexplained or worsening pain, particularly with fever, significant night pain or a history of cancer, also requires medical assessment. These symptoms should be evaluated before routine chiropractic treatment.
FAQ
Knee Pain
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RELATED CONDITIONS
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Back Pain
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