Physiotherapy for Hip Pain in London
Hip Pain
Is hip pain slowing you down, making it harder to do the activities of daily living? Hip pain can make anything from walking to stair climbing a monumental task, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. When a Physit physiotherapist comes to you, you’ll get hands-on, personalised treatment. Ready to feel better?
What Is Hip Pain?
Hip pain isn’t always just about the hip joint itself. It can come from the muscles, tendons, or even the lower back. Sometimes the discomfort shows up deep in the groin, down the thigh, or around the outer hip, making it harder to move freely or comfortably. Your assessment with us should enable you to understand the root cause of your pain.
Some of the most common causes include arthritis, bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac that cushions movement), tendinopathy (irritation of the tendons), muscle weakness, or certain physical imbalances that change the way you walk or sit.
While a little stiffness can come with age, ongoing hip pain isn’t something you have to accept or ignore. At-home physiotherapy can help you feel stronger, more mobile, and, importantly, experience less pain daily.
Common Symptoms of Hip Pain
Hip pain can show up in a few different ways depending on the cause, and it often affects more than just the hip itself. You might notice:
- Pain in the outer hip, groin, thigh, or buttock
- Stiffness when standing up or walking after sitting
- Discomfort at night or while you’re lying on one side
- Weakness or instability when climbing stairs or bending
- Reduced flexibility or range of motion
These symptoms can make it harder to do the simple things that make up our day, like walking to the shops, getting dressed, or getting a good night’s sleep, and can ultimately severely affect quality of life if they persist. You may find yourself turning down invitations if an activity involves lots of walking or no longer engaging in things you enjoy because it hurts too much.
This can have not only physical, but also emotional impacts. That’s why it’s so important to get high-quality care. Treating hip pain is more than just making your hip feel better; it’s about bringing the joy back into your life.
What Can Increase Your Risk of Hip Pain?
Hip pain doesn’t usually happen overnight. It often builds up slowly over time from habits, health conditions, or past injuries. Here are some common factors that can increase the chances of experiencing discomfort or stiffness in the hip.
- Osteoarthritis or previous joint injuries: Wear and tear in the hip joint or a past injury can change how the joint moves and feels as time goes by.
- Muscle weakness or poor joint alignment: When the muscles around the hip aren’t properly doing their job, extra strain is placed on the joint.
- Overuse from walking, standing, or lifting: Repeating the same movements (especially without good support) can irritate certain surrounding tissues and lead to pain.
- Prolonged sitting or inactivity: Going long periods without moving can tighten up your muscles and cause stiffness in the hip joint, making it harder to get going again.
- Imbalances in posture, gait, or leg length: If your body moves unevenly or one side works harder, it can place extra stress on the hip.
- Past surgery (e.g. hip replacement): Even after successful surgery, it’s important to rebuild your strength and mobility to prevent future issues.
What Causes Hip Pain?
Hip pain can come about for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it’s from something obvious, like a strain, and other times it’s because of changes that build up slowly over the years. Understanding the why behind your pain is an important first step toward feeling better. Here are some of the most common causes.
- Arthritis: Commonly called a “wear and tear” disease, arthritis causes inflammation in the hip joint. It can lead to stiffness, aching, and reduced movement, especially first thing in the morning or after long periods of rest.
- Bursitis: Around your hip are small fluid-filled cushions called bursae. When they become irritated or swollen, they can cause sharp pain on the outer side of the hip, especially when you are lying on it or climbing stairs.
- Tendon or muscle strain: If the muscles or tendons around the hip are overused, or if they become tight, or weak, they can become inflamed and irritated. This might feel like a dull ache or a sharp tug in the hip when performing certain movements.
- Referred pain: Sometimes, hip pain doesn’t start in the hip at all. Stiffness or problems in the lower back or pelvis can send discomfort down into the hip area, even if the hip joint itself is healthy.
- Post-surgical discomfort: After procedures like a hip replacement, it’s normal to have some lingering stiffness or feelings of imbalance. Scar tissue, reduced strength, or changes in your movement patterns can all play a role in how the hip feels during recovery.
How Physit Treats Hip Pain
When hip pain is sticking around, you don’t need to face it alone. At Physit, we bring personalised, expert physiotherapy right to your front door, helping you feel stronger, steadier, and more comfortable.
Our approach is hands-on, practical, and thorough, always tailored to your unique lifestyle, comfort level, and goals. Whether you’re easing back into walking longer distances, looking to get a good night’s sleep without the discomfort, or just want to move with more ease, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Here’s how your Physit physiotherapist may help.
- Manual therapy: We use gentle, targeted hands-on techniques to help loosen tight tissues, reduce joint stiffness, and improve how the hip moves, all while easing your discomfort. These may include soft tissue massage, gentle movement, or even acupuncture
- Strengthening and stretching exercises: We’ll guide you through safe and simple movements in order to build up your strength in the hips, legs, and core, while also improving flexibility where it’s needed.
- Gait and balance training: If hip pain is affecting how you walk or how confident you feel on your feet, we’ll work with you to improve your stability and lower your risk of falls.
- Postural and movement education: Small changes in how you sit, stand, or bend can take a great deal of pressure off the hip. We’ll show you practical tips that can help better support your body throughout the day.
- Personalised care plans: We track your progress, adjust as needed, and support you with check-ins to make sure you’re moving forward, at your own pace and comfort level.
With Physit, you’re not just working through the pain. We ensure that with every step, you’re building strength, restoring movement, and staying connected to the activities you enjoy.
Conditions We Treat
Our London home and work visit physiotherapists are highly experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
0204 570 2391- Post-surgical rehabilitation (knee, hip, shoulder, and spinal surgeries, as well as general surgical recovery)
- Age-related mobility issues, including falls prevention and balance training
- Chronic pain management (back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness)
- Neurological conditions impacting mobility and coordination
- Post-hospital deconditioning and general rehabilitation to restore strength, balance, and independence
- All musculoskeletal realted injuries or pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Pain
1. Can physiotherapy help if I have arthritis in my hip?
Yes. Physiotherapy can help reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and strengthen the muscles around your hip to make movement easier and more comfortable. While we can’t reverse arthritis, we can give your body the support it needs to move better with it.
2. What if I’ve already had a hip replacement?
We often work with people after hip replacements, whether it’s been weeks or even years. Physiotherapy can help you regain strength, improve how you walk, and ease any lingering stiffness or imbalance. Recovery doesn’t stop once the surgery is done, and we’re here to help with the next phase.
3. How long does it take to feel improvement?
Everyone’s journey is different, but many people start noticing small but meaningful changes, like reduced pain or better movement, within a few sessions. We ensure that our approach is gentle, consistent, and built around steady progress at a pace that is most comfortable for you.
4. Do I need a referral to start with Physit for hip pain?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with us, and we’ll arrange a home visit that works for you. It’s all about making expert care more accessible, more convenient, and completely tailored to your needs.
Struggling with Hip Pain? Help Is Just a Call Away
If hip pain is slowing you down, you don’t have to push through it alone. With Physit, our expert physiotherapy comes right to your door, helping you move more easily, feel more stable, and stay active in the ways that matter most to you.
