Hip and Pelvic Assessment
Hip Pain Chiropractor in Heidelberg
Hip pain can limit everything from walking and exercise to getting a good night’s sleep. At True Chiropractic, we take the time to properly assess what is driving your hip symptoms and work with you on a clear plan to help you move more comfortably.
Same-week appointments available • Thorough assessment • Same chiropractor each visit
Understanding your condition
What Is Hip Pain?
The hip is a large ball-and-socket joint designed to bear significant load while allowing a wide range of movement. Hip pain can arise from the joint itself — including the cartilage, joint capsule, and surrounding tendons and bursa — or it can be referred from the lower back, sacroiliac joints, or surrounding muscles.
Because referred pain from the lower back is common and can feel very similar to true hip joint pain, accurately identifying the source of your symptoms is an essential first step. Pain felt in the groin, outer hip, buttock, or upper thigh may each point to different structures requiring different approaches, and in some cases may be associated with sciatica.
At True Chiropractic, we conduct a thorough assessment of the hip, lumbar spine, and surrounding musculature to understand what is driving your pain before recommending any care.
Common causes
What Can Cause Hip Pain?
Hip pain can arise from a number of different structures, which is why assessment matters before beginning care.
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Hip Joint Degeneration
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint involves progressive breakdown of the joint cartilage, leading to stiffness, reduced range of motion, and pain that is often felt in the groin or anterior hip.
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Gluteal Tendinopathy
Irritation or degeneration of the gluteal tendons on the outer hip is a common cause of lateral hip pain, particularly in active individuals and those who spend long periods sitting.
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Trochanteric Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa on the outer hip can cause localised tenderness and pain, often aggravated by lying on the affected side or prolonged standing.
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Referred Pain from the Lumbar Spine
Conditions in the lower back — including disc changes and joint irritation — can refer pain into the buttock, hip, or upper leg, mimicking hip joint pain.
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Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac joints connect the pelvis to the sacrum. Dysfunction in these joints can cause pain felt in the buttock, posterior hip, and sometimes into the upper leg.
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Hip Flexor and Muscle Strain
Overuse or sudden strain of the hip flexor muscles or other muscles around the hip joint is common in active individuals and can cause acute or chronic hip and groin pain.
Signs and symptoms
How Hip Pain Can Present
Hip pain can present in several different ways depending on which structures are involved. Common presentations we see include:
- Pain in the groin, front of the hip, or deep within the joint
- Pain on the outer hip or lateral thigh
- Buttock pain or aching that may refer down the leg
- Stiffness in the morning or after prolonged sitting
- Reduced range of motion, particularly with internal rotation or crossing the legs
- Pain that worsens with walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and out of a car
- Discomfort when lying on the affected side at night
- A clicking or catching sensation in the hip with movement
Seek immediate medical attention if: your hip pain follows significant trauma such as a fall, you are unable to weight-bear on the leg, or you develop sudden severe hip pain with fever. These may require urgent medical assessment.
How we approach your care
What Chiropractic Care for Hip Pain May Involve
Hip care is guided by what the assessment identifies as the primary contributing structures. After explaining findings clearly, your chiropractor will discuss what they recommend. Care may include:
- Hip joint mobilisation to improve range of motion and reduce pain in restricted or irritated hip structures where appropriate
- Lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint assessment and care to address any spinal or pelvic contributions to hip symptoms
- Soft tissue therapy targeting the hip flexors, gluteal muscles, piriformis, and surrounding structures
- Therapeutic exercise to improve hip strength, gluteal activation, pelvic stability, and movement patterns that reduce load on the affected structures
- Load management and activity advice to help you stay as active as possible while the hip settles
- Education on contributing factors including posture, gait patterns, and daily habits that may be maintaining your symptoms
Your first visit
What to Expect at True Chiropractic
Hip assessment involves examining both the hip itself and the structures that commonly refer pain to that region. Your first appointment is focused on getting this right. A typical new patient visit includes:
- Detailed case history covering your symptoms, how they started, what makes them better or worse, and your overall health background
- Thorough physical assessment including movement testing, orthopaedic and neurological screening relevant to your presentation
- Clear explanation of findings so you understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and what your options are
- Care plan and first treatment if appropriate and agreed upon at the end of the assessment
Hip pain is worth getting properly assessed. Most patients are seen within the same week.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help with hip pain?
Chiropractors are trained to assess and manage musculoskeletal conditions affecting the hip, pelvis, and lower back. Whether chiropractic care is appropriate depends on what is driving your symptoms, which is why a thorough assessment is always the starting point.
How do I know if my hip pain is coming from my back?
Referred pain from the lumbar spine can closely mimic hip joint pain. Certain patterns of pain location, range of motion limitation, and specific clinical tests help differentiate between the two. Your chiropractor will assess both regions to determine the primary driver.
Can chiropractic care help with hip arthritis?
Chiropractic care may help manage some symptoms associated with hip osteoarthritis, including pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Care may involve joint mobilisation, soft tissue work, and therapeutic exercise to support function. Your chiropractor will discuss what is realistic and appropriate for your specific situation.
Do I need a referral to book an appointment?
No referral is required. You can book directly online or by phone. If your GP has referred you under a Chronic Disease Management plan you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on a limited number of visits.
Do you accept private health insurance?
Yes. We have HICAPS on-site so you can claim on the spot. Chiropractic is generally covered under Extras cover. Check with your fund before your visit to confirm your entitlements and any applicable waiting periods.
Get Back to Moving Freely
Same-week appointments available. Same chiropractor, every single visit.
Click here to see other conditions that we treat at our Heidelberg clinic
Important: The information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for professional health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual presentations vary and chiropractic care may not be appropriate for all conditions. True Chiropractic complies with AHPRA guidelines for health practitioner advertising.