HIP PAIN
Hip pain can affect people of all ages, from active individuals dealing with a sports injury to those experiencing the gradual onset of arthritis or bursitis. Whether your pain is felt deep in the joint, around the outside of the hip, or radiating into the groin or thigh, our osteopaths and remedial massage therapists at Dingley Health Hub will take the time to understand what's going on and create a treatment plan tailored to you. Through hands-on care and targeted rehabilitation, we'll work to restore your mobility, reduce discomfort, and get you moving with confidence again.
Common Hip Conditions
Hip osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of hip pain, particularly in adults over fifty, and involves the gradual breakdown of cartilage within the hip joint. It typically causes a deep, aching pain in the groin, outer hip, or buttock that is worse with prolonged walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair, and is often accompanied by stiffness that is particularly noticeable first thing in the morning. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths and remedial massage therapists will work with you to manage your symptoms, maintain as much mobility and strength as possible, and help you stay active and independent for as long as possible.
Hip labral tear
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the socket of the hip joint, providing stability and cushioning. A labral tear can occur through a sudden injury, repetitive hip movements, or structural issues such as hip impingement, causing a deep groin pain, clicking, or a sense of the hip catching or locking with certain movements. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths are experienced in assessing hip labral tears and providing conservative management to reduce pain, improve hip mechanics, and strengthen the muscles that support the joint, working alongside your GP or specialist where further investigation is required.
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular impingement occurs when there is abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint due to bony irregularities on either surface, causing pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of hip movement that is typically worse with prolonged sitting, deep hip flexion, or high-impact activity. It is particularly common in young active adults and athletes. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths are experienced in managing FAI conservatively, using hands-on treatment and targeted exercises to improve hip mobility, strengthen the surrounding muscles, and reduce the mechanical stress on the joint.
Hip Bursitis
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is a common condition involving pain and tenderness on the outside of the hip, over the bony prominence known as the greater trochanter. Despite often being referred to as trochanteric bursitis, research suggests that in most cases the pain is primarily related to the gluteal tendons rather than the bursa itself. It is particularly common in middle-aged women and runners, and is often aggravated by lying on the affected side, climbing stairs, or crossing the legs. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths and remedial massage therapists are experienced in treating this condition, using hands-on treatment and a carefully progressed loading program to settle the tendon irritation and restore comfortable hip function.
Gluteal tendinopathy
Gluteal tendinopathy involves degeneration and irritation of the tendons of the gluteal muscles where they attach to the greater trochanter on the outside of the hip. It is one of the most common causes of lateral hip pain and is particularly prevalent in middle-aged and older women, runners, and people who spend long periods sitting. Symptoms include a persistent aching or burning pain on the outside of the hip that is aggravated by prolonged sitting, crossing the legs, or going up and down stairs. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths are experienced in managing gluteal tendinopathy, using a combination of hands-on treatment and a progressive loading program to stimulate tendon healing and restore pain-free hip function.
Piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle — a small muscle deep in the buttock — becomes tight or irritated and compresses the sciatic nerve, causing buttock pain and sciatic-type symptoms that radiate down the leg. It can be difficult to distinguish from true sciatica originating in the lumbar spine, making a thorough assessment essential. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths and remedial massage therapists are skilled at identifying piriformis syndrome and providing targeted hands-on treatment to release the piriformis muscle, relieve nerve compression, and address the underlying biomechanical factors contributing to the condition.
Hamstring tendinopathy
Hamstring origin tendinopathy involves degeneration and irritation of the hamstring tendons where they attach to the sitting bone (ischial tuberosity) at the base of the buttock. It causes a deep, aching pain in the lower buttock that is typically worse with prolonged sitting, running, or any activity that loads the hamstring in a stretched position. It is particularly common in runners and cyclists. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths are experienced in managing hamstring origin tendinopathy, using hands-on treatment and a carefully progressed loading program to stimulate tendon healing and restore pain-free function.
Sciatic nerve irritation from the hip
While sciatica most commonly originates from the lumbar spine, the sciatic nerve can also become compressed or irritated by tight muscles or structural issues in the hip and buttock region, causing similar symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling that radiate down the leg. A thorough assessment is essential to determine whether the source of your sciatic symptoms is in the spine, the hip, or both. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths are skilled at identifying the true origin of sciatic nerve irritation and directing treatment to the appropriate area for the most effective outcome.
Post-surgical hip rehabilitation
Recovering from hip surgery — whether a total hip replacement, labral repair, or impingement correction — requires a carefully structured and progressive rehabilitation program to restore strength, mobility, and function safely. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths are experienced in post-surgical hip rehabilitation, working alongside your surgical team to guide you through each stage of your recovery with hands-on treatment and tailored exercise progressions, helping you achieve the best possible outcome from your procedure and return to the activities that matter most to you.
Hip stress fracture
Hip stress fractures are serious overuse injuries that occur when repetitive loading exceeds the bone's ability to repair itself, most commonly affecting the neck of the femur in distance runners and military recruits. They cause a gradual onset of groin or hip pain that worsens with activity and may become present at rest in more severe cases, and require prompt assessment and management to prevent progression to a complete fracture. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths will work collaboratively with your GP or specialist to ensure appropriate imaging and management, providing rehabilitation support to guide your safe return to activity following an appropriate period of rest.
Hip adductor strain (groin strain)
Groin strains involve a tear or overstretching of the adductor muscles on the inner thigh, and are among the most common injuries in sports that involve rapid changes of direction, kicking, or sprinting. They cause a sharp pain in the groin that can range from mild to severely debilitating, often accompanied by bruising, swelling, and difficulty with certain movements. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths and remedial massage therapists are experienced in managing groin strains of all severities, providing hands-on treatment and a carefully structured rehabilitation program to support muscle healing and ensure a safe and complete return to sport.
Hip flexor strain
Hip flexor strains are common in athletes and active individuals who perform activities involving sudden acceleration, kicking, or repetitive hip flexion. They typically cause a sharp pain at the front of the hip or groin that comes on suddenly during activity, followed by stiffness, weakness, and difficulty lifting the knee. At Dingley Health Hub, our osteopaths and remedial massage therapists will assess the severity of your strain and provide targeted hands-on treatment and progressive rehabilitation exercises to support muscle healing and return you to full activity as safely and efficiently as possible.