Hip Pain Physical Therapy
Your hips carry you through every step, every squat, every mile. When they start fighting back, the right physical therapy gets you moving freely again.
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Understanding Hip Pain
Hip pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek physical therapy — and one of the most misunderstood. The hip joint sits at the intersection of your spine, pelvis, and legs, which means problems here can masquerade as back pain, knee trouble, or general stiffness that you chalk up to aging.
Whether you’re dealing with arthritis, a nagging bursitis, or tightness from sitting eight hours a day, physical therapy addresses the root mechanics driving your pain rather than just masking symptoms.
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What Your Body Is Telling You
That stiffness after sitting isn’t just “getting old.” If standing up from your desk feels like your hip needs a warm-up period, tight hip flexors or early joint changes could be at play. Your body adapts to the positions you spend the most time in — and a PT can reverse that pattern.
Sharp or catching sensations deserve attention. A pinch in the front of your hip when you bring your knee to your chest, or a click that comes with certain movements, may point to a labral issue or impingement. These don’t always need surgery, but they do need the right rehab strategy.
Pain on the outside of your hip that won’t go away is often bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy, not the joint itself. It tends to flare with stairs, lying on your side, or crossing your legs. The good news: this responds extremely well to targeted loading and movement correction.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Hip rehab at Highbar Health is built around your specific diagnosis and goals — whether you’re trying to get back to running, recover from surgery, or just sit without wincing.
- Hands-on joint mobilization to restore range of motion and reduce stiffness in the hip capsule
- Targeted strengthening of the glutes and deep hip stabilizers — the muscles most responsible for protecting the joint
- Movement retraining to correct walking, running, or sitting patterns that put your hip under unnecessary stress
- Pre- and post-surgical rehab for hip replacements and arthroscopic procedures, designed to optimize your outcome at every stage
Common Hip Conditions We Treat
Hip Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis causing stiffness, aching, and reduced mobility — managed with joint mobilization, strengthening, and movement strategies to keep you active longer.
Bursitis & Gluteal Tendinopathy
- Outer hip pain from inflamed bursa or weakened gluteal tendons — treated with targeted loading, manual therapy, and activity modification.
Labral Tears & Impingement
- Catching, pinching, or clicking in the hip joint — addressed with movement correction, stabilization exercises, and pre/post-surgical rehab when needed.
Hip Replacement Rehab
- Total or partial hip replacement recovery — guided with evidence-based protocols to restore strength, mobility, and confidence at every stage.
When to See a Physical Therapist
Don’t wait until you’re limping. If hip pain is changing how you move, limiting your activity, or making you think twice about stairs — that’s your signal. Early PT leads to dramatically better outcomes.
- Pain that changes how you walk
- Stiffness limiting workouts or daily movement
- Night pain that disrupts sleep
- Catching, clicking, or giving way in the hip
Stop Working Around Your Hip Pain
Start fixing it. Book your appointment at Highbar Health — no referral required, most insurance accepted, with clinics across New England.
Common reasons hips hurt
Hip pain is usually caused by a mix of load, strength, mobility, and how your body moves. Common examples include:
- Pain in the front of the hip or groin (often hurts with deep bending, sitting, or kicking)
- Pain deep in the buttock or back of the hip (often hurts with sitting or climbing stairs)
- Pain on the outside of the hip (often tender to lie on or after long walks)
- Hip flexor or tendon irritation from running, lifting, or sitting too long
- Arthritis or joint changes
- Post-injury or post-replacement recovery
Want a plan that fits your hip and your goals? Find a PT →
Quick answers about hip pain
FAQS
When should I see a PT for hip pain?
If pain has lasted more than a week, is limiting walking, stairs, or sleep, or keeps coming back, it’s time. Hips respond well to targeted strength and movement work.
Should I rest or exercise with hip pain?
Gentle, well-chosen movement almost always beats rest. Sitting still tends to make hips stiffer. A PT will dial in what to keep doing and what to scale back.
Do I need an MRI before I start PT?
Usually no. Most hip pain can be sorted out by how it behaves and how it moves. Imaging is only helpful in specific cases, and your PT will tell you when.
My pain is in the groin — is that really my hip?
Often, yes. Hip joint pain is one of the most common causes of groin pain. A PT can tell whether it’s coming from the joint, the muscles, or somewhere else.
Why does the outside of my hip hurt when I sleep on it?
The tendons and tissues on the outside of the hip can get irritated from compression and load. The good news: this responds very well to specific strengthening, usually within a few weeks.
I had a hip replacement. When should I start PT?
Typically within the first week or two. Early, guided work helps you walk better, regain strength, and get back to the activities you want — safely.
Will I eventually need a hip replacement?
Not necessarily. Many people with hip arthritis manage well for years with strength, mobility, and load management. PT can help you delay or even avoid surgery in many cases.