Hip Pain

Hip pain has a habit of creeping into everyday life.

It might start as a slight ache after a long walk. Perhaps you’ve noticed it’s becoming uncomfortable getting out of the car, climbing the stairs or lying on one side in bed. Maybe you’ve always been active, but now running, golf or gardening leaves you sore for days afterwards.

Sometimes the pain comes on suddenly after a fall or awkward movement. More often, though, it develops gradually over weeks or months.

Whatever the cause, the first step is understanding where the pain is actually coming from.

At The Bath Practice, Rosie takes the time to listen to your story, examine how you move and explain what’s happening in straightforward language. Before discussing treatment, she’ll want to understand how your symptoms started, what’s making them worse and what you’re hoping to get back to.

For some people that’s walking the dog without discomfort. For others it’s getting back onto the tennis court, enjoying a round of golf or simply sleeping through the night without constantly turning over because their hip hurts.

Is it actually your hip?

One of the biggest surprises for many people is discovering that hip pain isn’t always coming from the hip joint itself.

Pain around the hip can sometimes be caused by:

• The hip joint itself
• Tendons around the hip
• Muscles in the buttock
• The lower back
• The sacroiliac joints
• Arthritis
• Bursae (small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction around joints)
• Less commonly, other medical conditions

Sometimes pain from the hip is felt in the groin, buttock, thigh or even the knee. That’s why trying to diagnose yourself online can be confusing. A proper assessment helps identify what’s really driving your symptoms.

Why has my hip started hurting?

People often expect there to be one obvious cause. Sometimes there is — perhaps you’ve fallen, increased your running or overdone things in the garden.

More often, however, there isn’t a single event to blame. The hip is an incredibly hardworking joint. Every time you walk, climb stairs, stand on one leg or get up from a chair, it absorbs large amounts of force.

Over time, a combination of factors can begin to overload the tissues around it. These might include:

• Reduced strength
• Changes in activity levels
• Previous injuries
• Age-related changes
• Stiffness elsewhere in the body
• Long periods of sitting
• Changes in training
• Simply doing more than your body was ready for

Understanding why the pain developed helps us decide how best to manage it.

Common causes of hip pain

There are many possible reasons why your hip hurts. Some of the more common include:

Hip osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a common cause of hip pain, particularly as we get older. It can cause stiffness, aching and reduced movement, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting for a while. Having arthritis doesn’t automatically mean you’ll need surgery. Many people continue to stay active with the right advice, exercise and symptom management.

Tendon pain

The tendons of the hip can become irritated, particularly in runners and people who spend long periods standing. This often causes pain when lying on your side or walking longer distances.

Muscle strains

The muscles around the hip and pelvis work hard to keep you stable. Like any muscle, they can become overloaded or strained.

Referred pain

Sometimes the hip isn’t the problem at all. Pain from the lower back can travel into the buttock, groin or thigh, making it feel as though the hip is injured when the source is actually elsewhere. This is another reason why assessment is so important.

Why a proper assessment matters

Hip pain isn’t always straightforward. Two people with pain in exactly the same place may have completely different causes. That’s why Rosie won’t simply focus on the area that hurts.

Your first appointment starts with a conversation. She’ll ask about your symptoms, your general health, your work, hobbies and the things you’ve found difficult since the pain started.

She’ll then assess how you walk, move, squat, balance and use your hip, along with examining your lower back and surrounding joints where appropriate.

Once she’s happy she understands what’s happening, she’ll explain her findings in plain English and discuss the treatment options with you. If she feels further investigation is needed, she’ll tell you.

How can osteopathy help?

Treatment depends entirely on what’s causing your symptoms. Depending on the findings, Rosie may use hands-on treatment to improve movement, reduce muscle tension and help settle irritated tissues.

Just as importantly, she’ll help you understand which movements are safe, what activities you should keep doing and which exercises are likely to help your recovery.

Recovery isn’t just about what happens during your appointment. It’s about giving your body the right environment to recover afterwards.

Should I keep moving?

In most cases, yes. People often worry they’ll make things worse by using their hip. While there are times when activity needs to be modified, complete rest is rarely helpful.

Movement helps maintain joint mobility, muscle strength and confidence. The key is finding the right amount of activity. Rosie will help you work out what your body is ready for and how to build things up gradually without constantly flaring your symptoms.

Does hip pain always mean arthritis?

No. Although arthritis is common, particularly as we get older, it’s only one of many possible causes of hip pain. Even when arthritis is present on an X-ray, it doesn’t always explain the symptoms someone is experiencing.

Many people with arthritic changes have very little pain, while others with relatively minor changes can be quite uncomfortable. That’s why scans are only one piece of the puzzle. How your symptoms behave and how your hip functions are often just as important.

When should I seek urgent medical advice?

Seek medical attention if you:

• Can’t bear weight after a fall
• Have severe pain following an injury
• Develop sudden swelling, redness or heat around the joint
• Feel generally unwell with severe hip pain
• Notice increasing numbness or weakness in your leg

If Rosie has any concerns during your assessment, she’ll make sure you receive the appropriate care.

Why choose Rosie?

Rosie knows that persistent hip pain can slowly chip away at your confidence. You start avoiding walks. You stop exercising. You find yourself planning your day around how far you need to walk.

Her aim is to understand what’s driving the problem, explain it clearly and help you feel confident using your body again.

Patients often tell us that simply understanding why their hip hurts is reassuring in itself.

Book your hip pain assessment in Bath

To book an appointment with Rosie, contact her directly:

• Phone or text: 07717 716946
• Email: rosie.clements@outlook.com

Or book online here.

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