Hip and pelvis pain
We are committed to helping you understand what is causing your discomfort or pain
Hip and pelvis musculoskeletal conditions can cause discomfort and limit mobility, affecting daily activities like walking, bending, or sitting. Common issues include hip arthritis, sciatica, and muscle strains. These conditions can affect anyone, from athletes to office workers, and often arise from inactivity, overuse, or injury. Our osteopaths will assess you, explain what’s going on and agree a plan with you. Hands-on treatment, exercise and advice may help ease pain and improve movement, whether you’re dealing with long-standing pain or a recent injury.
Below is general information about some common problems in this area. It isn’t a full list. If you’re not sure whether we can help, get in touch and we’ll talk it through.
You don’t need a referral to see an osteopath. You can book an assessment with us directly. At your first visit we’ll examine you, explain what we find and talk through your options. If osteopathy isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll tell you and suggest who can help.
Some problems do need your GP, for example if you need blood tests, scans or medication, or if your symptoms suggest an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. If we find this, we’ll refer you to your GP or another healthcare professional.
Sacroiliac Joint Pain
The sacroiliac joints are the large joints that connect the bottom of your spine (sacrum) to your pelvic bones. These joints are surrounded by a network of ligaments and muscles that help provide stability and absorb shock between your upper body and legs.
Sacroiliac joint pain is a common issue we see in the clinic. The joint can become dysfunctional if there is either too much movement or too little. During your assessment, your osteopath will check how well your sacroiliac joints are moving.
When these joints become inflamed, they can cause lower back pain that radiates to the hips, buttocks, and groin area. Osteopathy, alongside exercise, may help with this kind of back and pelvic pain. Your osteopath can also recommend exercises to stretch or strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint to help prevent further discomfort.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle is located in the gluteal region and plays a role in rotating the hip and leg outward. The sciatic nerve typically passes under the piriformis, but in some cases, it can go through the muscle itself. When the piriformis becomes tight or inflamed, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to irritation.
If you have piriformis syndrome, you may experience a deep ache, burning, or shooting pain in your buttock, hip, or thigh. This discomfort tends to get worse with prolonged sitting, walking, or climbing stairs.
ITB Syndrome and Snapping Hip
The iliotibial band (ITB) is a thick, tight tendon that runs along the outside of your leg, helping to stabilise the knee and hip joints. Snapping hip occurs when the ITB moves over the outer bony part of the hip (the greater trochanter), creating a clicking or snapping sound. While it’s often not painful, if left untreated, it can lead to discomfort or aching in the hip area.
This condition is usually caused by tight muscles and tendons around the hip joint. Young adults who engage in sports like gymnastics or dance are more prone to experiencing snapping hip.
Trochanteric Bursitis
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tendons and bones, helping to ease movement. We have bursas around all of our joints, but the trochanteric bursa, located over the outer hip, is the most common one to become inflamed.
Trochanteric bursitis is a frequent cause of hip pain, typically resulting from overuse injuries like walking uphill, standing for long periods, or poor posture and gait. Conditions like scoliosis or leg length discrepancies can increase the risk of developing trochanteric bursitis, as they create uneven pressure on the hips.
Femoro-acetabular Impingement
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) occurs when there is a slight deformity in the femoral head (the ball) or the acetabulum (the socket) of the hip joint. This small change in the joint’s shape causes the ball and socket to pinch together, which can lead to pain or stiffness, especially during activities that involve hip flexion, like cycling or lifting your foot to tie a shoelace.
The pain is typically felt in the groin and the front of the thigh. While the exact cause of FAI is unknown, it is believed to develop during childhood when the joints are still growing. Interestingly, many people with FAI don’t experience any symptoms. However, for those who do, exercise can sometimes make the pain worse, although it doesn’t actually cause FAI.
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) is a condition that commonly affects pregnant women, causing pain or discomfort in the pelvic region. During pregnancy, the body produces a hormone called relaxin, which loosens the ligaments throughout the body to allow the pelvis to expand in preparation for childbirth. While this is essential for delivery, it can also make the joints more unstable, leading to pain, especially with the significant postural changes that happen during pregnancy.
The most common symptoms of SPD include pain in the front centre of the pelvis and lower back, which can radiate into the groin, legs, perineum, and lower abdomen. Activities such as walking, turning in bed, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of the car can make the pain worse.
Groin Strain
A groin strain is an injury to the inner thigh muscles, known as the adductors. It’s most common in athletes and often happens during quick, forceful movements like kicking, twisting, or jumping. Many of the groin injuries we see in clinic are acute, meaning they’ve occurred relatively recently.
Groin strains are classified into three grades:
Grade 1: The muscle is overstretched. You should be able to walk without pain, but faster movements might hurt.
Grade 2: A larger portion of muscle fibres have been damaged. Walking may cause sharp, stabbing pain in the groin and inner thigh.
Grade 3: The muscle fibres are ruptured. Any movement may be painful or even impossible, and there may be significant bruising or swelling.
Your osteopath can support your recovery from a groin strain. The recovery time will depend on the severity of the strain and your fitness level before the injury. The goal is to help restore strength and mobility to the area so you can get back to your activities with less discomfort.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. Often referred to as "wear and tear," it can occur at any age, especially after an injury, but it is most common in people over 45. The cartilage within the joint becomes thinner over time, which leads to more friction and can cause pain.
Osteoarthritis is a natural part of the ageing process, and many people with it experience no symptoms. However, when symptoms do appear, they typically include stiffness, reduced range of motion, and pain with activity. You may also notice a grinding or clunking sensation, particularly in the hip.
There’s also another form of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis, which can affect multiple joints at once. If your osteopath suspects you might have rheumatoid arthritis, they may refer you to your GP for a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. While rheumatoid arthritis is more complex than osteoarthritis, osteopathy can still help with symptom relief, and it often works best alongside treatment from your GP.
Though there’s no cure for arthritis, osteopathy, as part of a plan that includes exercise, may help ease arthritic pain and stiffness. Additionally, we can guide you through exercises to improve mobility and help prolong the benefits of treatment.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a complex, long-term condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body. It can be a challenging condition to manage, as there is no known cure. Exercise is often recommended to help relieve symptoms, but it can be difficult for those living with fibromyalgia due to the level of pain they experience. Additionally, fibromyalgia is often linked to other conditions such as headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and more.
At A1 Bodyworks Clinic, we understand that fibromyalgia affects each person differently. That’s why our approach to treatment is personalised, tailored to the individual’s unique needs. Our aim is to help ease aches and pains, so that you can manage your condition and continue with their daily activities as comfortably as possible.
Osteopathy for hip and pelvis pain in Runcorn, Frodsham & Widnes
We understand how much pain or discomfort can disrupt your daily life, and we’re here to help you move forward. By listening to your concerns and tailoring a treatment plan to your needs, our team is dedicated to improving your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life. At A1 Bodyworks Clinic, your wellbeing is always our priority.
