Hip pain is a common issue that affects adolescents, adults, and seniors alike. Whether mild or severe, occasional or chronic, it can quickly reduce quality of life: walking becomes uncomfortable, movement is limited, and daily activities get harder.
Often, we don’t think about the hip—until it hurts.
In this article, we explore common causes of hip pain, symptoms to watch for, and the role of chiropractic care in comprehensive, lasting management.
What is the hip and why is it so important?
The hip is a major joint that connects the trunk to the lower limbs and participates in nearly every daily movement: walking, running, climbing stairs, bending, sitting, and standing.
Its strong structure makes it very stable but also heavily loaded, which is why the hip can become painful when irritated, overloaded, or losing mobility.
Anatomically, the hip includes several elements that work together:
- The acetabulum in the pelvic bone
- The femoral head, which fits into that socket to form a ball-and-socket joint
- Powerful muscles (gluteals, psoas, hip flexors, and rotators)
- Ligaments and tendons that stabilize the joint
- Important neural structures, including branches of the lumbar and sacral plexuses
Because the body is interconnected, tension, movement restriction, or muscle imbalance at the hip can quickly affect other areas, notably the lower back or knees. That’s often how minor discomforts evolve into compensations and wider pain.
Why does my hip hurt?
Hip pain can stem from many causes. Identifying the source is essential to offer appropriate treatment and improve joint mobility.
1. Biomechanical disorders
Poor posture, pelvic misalignment, or leg length discrepancy can overload the hip joint. Over time, that overload may cause inflammation and pain.
2. Hip osteoarthritis
Common in adults over 50, osteoarthritis is progressive wear of the hip cartilage. It causes stiffness, gradual pain, and decreased range of motion.
3. Muscle tensions
Overly tight or weak muscles (gluteals, hip flexors, psoas) can create imbalance and irritate the hip joint.
4. Sports injuries
Runners and athletes in soccer, hockey, or dance are at higher risk. Repetitive movements, impacts, and sudden direction changes heavily stress the hip.
5. Referred pain
Sometimes hip pain actually originates from the lower back or lumbar spine. Irritation of certain nerves can project pain toward the hip.
What symptoms are associated with hip pain?
Symptoms vary between individuals and pain may not always be felt in the same place. Some people feel it on the side of the hip, others in the groin, the buttock, or down the thigh to the knee. These locations can make the pain hard to pinpoint, though they often indicate the same problematic region.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain that appears while walking
- Discomfort after prolonged sitting
- Persistent morning stiffness
- Difficulty going up or down stairs
- A sensation of catching or grinding
- Progressive loss of mobility
Although these signs may seem minor at first, ignoring them can lead to progressive worsening.
When should you consult for hip pain?
See a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, if hip pain persists for several days, worsens with movement, or begins to limit daily activities. Recurring pain, stiffness, or loss of mobility also signal that it’s time for an evaluation. In many cases, early intervention helps prevent the problem from becoming chronic.
The role of chiropractic care in treating hip pain
Chiropractic care aims to optimize the function of the neuromusculoskeletal system, including the spine, pelvis, and peripheral joints like the hip. When pain arises in this region, a chiropractic approach assesses all involved structures to target the source and restore mobility.
1. A comprehensive, global assessment
The first step is a thorough evaluation. The chiropractor examines posture, pelvis and hip mobility, lumbar spine function, and muscle balance. Gait observation and functional movement tests help identify compensations. This global analysis clarifies not only the pain but its underlying causes.
2. Chiropractic adjustments
When appropriate, gentle, precise adjustments improve joint mobility, reduce movement restrictions, and decrease nerve irritation. These interventions also help restore better pelvic alignment, supporting optimal hip function.
3. Muscle and soft-tissue work
Complementing adjustments, the chiropractor may use manual techniques to relax overly tight muscles, reduce tension, and improve local circulation. This work helps rebalance structures around the hip and reduces discomfort.
4. Personalized exercises and advice
To maximize outcomes, a tailored plan may include strengthening exercises, targeted stretches, postural recommendations, and ergonomic adjustments. These measures support durable recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence by improving joint stability and mobility.
How to prevent hip pain?
Prevention is key to hip health. Simple habits can reduce tension, improve mobility, and help prevent pain:
- Maintain good posture sitting and standing
- Vary positions at work to avoid overload
- Strengthen stabilizers: core, gluteals, and hip muscles
- Warm up properly before physical activity
- Avoid prolonged sedentary periods
- Consider preventive checkups to detect dysfunctions before they become painful
Chiropractic care can be an excellent prevention tool even without pain, promoting improved mobility and optimal muscle balance.
A holistic approach for better quality of life
Hip pain should not be dismissed: it often signals an underlying imbalance. With a global, personalized, noninvasive approach, chiropractic care can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support a better quality of life.
Whether you are active, sedentary, athletic, or simply at a life stage when mobility matters more, appropriate care can truly make a daily difference.
Dr Émilie Gaudreau, chiropractor
Dr Patrick Gaudreau, chiropractor
Sources consultées, 10 février 2026 :
1-Koc, T. A., Cibulka, M., Enseki, K. R., Gentile, J. T., MacDonald, C. W., Kollmorgen, R. C., & Martin, R. R. (2025). Hip pain and mobility deficits—Hip osteoarthritis: Revision 2025. Clinical practice guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 55(11), CPG1–CPG31. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2025.0301
2-American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2023). Management of osteoarthritis of the hip: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. AAOS. https://www.aaos.org/globalassets/quality-and-practice-resources/osteoarthritis-of-the-hip/oah-cpg.pdf
3-Association Française de Chiropraxie. (2024). Douleur de la hanche : causes, symptômes et prise en charge. https://www.chiropraxie.com/douleur-de-la-hanche
4-Mayer, R. (2024, 28 mai). Douleur de la hanche : le point avec l’Association Française de Chiropraxie. SeniorActu. https://www.senioractu.com/Douleur-de-la-hanche-le-point-avec-l-Association-Francaise-de-Chiropraxie_a25797.html
5-ChiroRéseau. (2025). Douleur à la hanche : symptômes, causes et rôle de la chiropratique. https://chiroreseau.com/problemes/douleur-a-la-hanche/