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What Is Hip Pain?

Hip pain refers to discomfort arising from the hip joint itself or the surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments and bursae. Pain may be felt in the groin, side of the hip, buttock or upper thigh. Hip conditions can affect mobility, balance and overall physical function, making everyday tasks more challenging.

Common Symptoms of Hip Pain

Symptoms vary between individuals but may include:

✔ Groin pain

✔ Pain on the side of the hip

✔ Buttock pain

✔ Hip stiffness

✔ Pain when walking

✔ Difficulty climbing stairs

✔ Pain when getting in and out of a car

✔ Reduced range of movement

✔ Difficulty putting on shoes and socks

✔ Reduced ability to exercise or participate in recreational activities

Common Causes of Hip Pain

Hip pain may occur due to a variety of conditions, including:

✔ Hip osteoarthritis

✔ Gluteal tendinopathy

✔ Hip bursitis

✔ Muscle strains

✔ Labral injuries

✔ Sporting injuries

✔ Workplace injuries

✔ Hip impingement

✔ Age-related joint degeneration

✔ Previous hip injuries

Because symptoms can arise from several different structures, an individual assessment is important before deciding on the most appropriate rehabilitation approach.

Assessment and Diagnosis

Your clinician will discuss your symptoms, medical history, activity levels, work demands and rehabilitation goals. The assessment may include hip movement testing, strength assessment, walking analysis, balance testing, functional assessment and review of imaging reports where available. The aim is to identify factors contributing to your symptoms and determine how your condition is affecting movement and function.

How Physiotherapy May Help

Physiotherapy may assist with improving mobility, reducing pain and restoring function. Treatment may include education, activity modification strategies, mobility exercises, strengthening exercises, hands-on treatment where appropriate and movement retraining. Treatment recommendations are tailored to your assessment findings and rehabilitation goals.

Related Service: Physiotherapy

How Exercise Physiology May Help

Exercise Physiology plays an important role in improving strength, mobility, balance and overall physical function. Exercise physiologists develop individualised exercise programs designed to improve hip strength, walking capacity, endurance and confidence with movement. Programs are tailored to your condition and progressed safely according to your goals and level of function.

Related Service: Exercise Physiology

Hydrotherapy for Hip Pain

Hydrotherapy may provide a comfortable, low-impact environment for exercise and rehabilitation. The buoyancy of the water reduces load through the hip joint while allowing movement, strengthening and conditioning exercises to be performed more comfortably. Hydrotherapy may assist with improving mobility, strength, endurance and confidence with movement. It is often used alongside physiotherapy and exercise physiology as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Related Service: Hydrotherapy

Hip Rehabilitation Programs

Some individuals with persistent symptoms, significant hip conditions or post-surgical rehabilitation requirements may benefit from a structured rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation may focus on improving strength, restoring mobility, increasing activity tolerance, supporting return to work or recreation and developing long-term strategies to support hip health.

Related Service: Rehabilitation Programs

When Should You Seek Medical Advice?

While many hip conditions respond well to rehabilitation, medical assessment may be necessary if symptoms develop following significant trauma, severe pain occurs, weight-bearing becomes difficult, symptoms are rapidly worsening or your condition is significantly limiting daily activities. Your clinician may also recommend further medical review where appropriate.

Why Choose Illawarra Rehabilitation Clinic?

✔ Physiotherapy

✔ Exercise Physiology

✔ Hydrotherapy Pool

✔ Rehabilitation Gym

✔ Hip Rehabilitation Programs

✔ Work Rehabilitation Services

✔ NDIS Services

✔ Individualised Rehabilitation Plans

✔ Convenient Warilla Location

At Illawarra Rehabilitation Clinic, we provide a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation from our purpose-built facility in Warilla. Our team works with people recovering from injury, managing chronic conditions and improving their ability to work, exercise and stay active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can physiotherapy help hip pain?

Physiotherapy may help improve movement, flexibility, strength and function while supporting recovery and reducing the impact of symptoms.

Can exercise help hip pain?

Appropriate exercise may help improve hip strength, mobility, balance and overall physical function.

Is hydrotherapy suitable for hip pain?

Hydrotherapy may provide a low-impact environment for exercise and rehabilitation by reducing the load placed through painful hip joints.

Will I need a hip replacement?

Many people with hip pain can be managed successfully through rehabilitation. However, some individuals with advanced joint degeneration may require orthopaedic assessment.

What is the most common cause of hip pain?

Hip pain can result from a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis, tendinopathy, bursitis, muscle injuries and hip impingement. A thorough assessment can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms.