Hip Pain

The hip is considered one of the largest joints in the human body. The hip is the link between the pelvis/spine and the lower body. The balance and stability provided by the hip joint allow large amounts of motion. In addition to creating movement, the hip joint has an important role in weight bearing and transferring load from the body/trunk to the lower body.

Normally, the hip functions as a mobile joint. It creates large amounts of movement to help us perform our everyday tasks, such as squat, lunging, walking, getting in and out of chairs/cars etc. It is also highly important in providing dynamic movements, strength, and power for athletic performance.

Unfortunately, many of us develop poor hip mobility and movement patterns due to our lifestyle habits. The increased time we spend sitting and sedentary behaviours promote a reduction in hip function. This then makes us more susceptible to hip pain, dysfunction, and injury.

Not only can poor hip function lead to hip conditions, it is a common cause of issues in other surrounding areas of the body. Many low back, pelvis, knee, and ankle/foot issues may be related in some way to poor hip function, either reduced mobility or stability.

Many of our patients present to our clinic with hip related issues. Some of the common hip issues that we deal with include:

• Hip bursitis/tendinopathy
• Hip arthritis
• Piriformis syndrome
• Hip impingement syndrome
• ITB syndrome
• Myofascial trigger points
• Hip hypomobility
• Hip instability