When people develop hip pain, their minds often jump straight to the worst case: arthritis, a hip replacement, surgery. And while hip arthritis is real and common, it is far from the only cause, and even when arthritis is present, surgery is rarely the necessary first step. A great deal of what people call "hip pain" is not even coming from the hip joint itself.
At Bromberg Chiropractic in Cambridge, we have spent over 40 years sorting out what is actually causing hip pain and treating it conservatively. Here is what you should know.
First: Where Is Your "Hip" Pain Really Coming From?
The word "hip" means different things to different people, and the location of your pain is a major clue:
- Pain in the groin or deep in the front more often points to the hip joint itself (arthritis or impingement).
- Pain on the outer side of the hip is frequently bursitis or tendon irritation, not the joint.
- Pain in the buttock or back of the hip is very often referred from the lower back or the deep gluteal muscles, not the hip at all.
Getting this right is half the battle. Treating the hip joint when the real source is the lower back is a common reason people do not get better.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Bursitis and Tendon Problems
The outer hip has bursae and tendons that get irritated from overuse, weakness, or poor mechanics. This is one of the most common and most treatable causes, and it has nothing to do with needing a new joint.
Hip Impingement
When the ball and socket do not glide cleanly, the joint pinches during certain movements, causing groin pain and stiffness. Conservative care to improve mechanics and strength often helps significantly.
Osteoarthritis
Wear-and-tear arthritis of the hip is common with age. As with knee osteoarthritis, a diagnosis of arthritis does not automatically mean surgery. Conservative care improves function and reduces pain for many patients for years.
Referred Pain From the Low Back
Problems in the lumbar spine, including sciatica, frequently masquerade as hip pain. If your "hip" pain travels down the leg or is worse with certain back positions, the spine is a prime suspect.
How We Treat Hip Pain
Once we identify the true source, our conservative approach addresses it directly.
Restore Joint and Pelvic Mechanics
The hip does not work in isolation; it depends on the pelvis and lower back moving well. We restore proper motion to the hip, pelvis, and lumbar spine so the joint is not fighting poor mechanics.
Release and Rebalance Muscles
Tight hip flexors, glutes, and the muscles around the joint drive a lot of hip pain. Soft tissue therapy releases the tight structures and relieves tendon and bursa irritation.
Strengthen and Correct Gait
Weakness in the glutes and core is a root cause of many hip problems. Our posture and gait analysis pinpoints the mechanical faults and guides a strengthening program that protects the hip long term.
When to Consider Imaging or a Specialist
If pain is severe, not improving, or accompanied by significant loss of motion, imaging helps clarify the picture, and we coordinate that through our referral services. Surgery has a role for advanced joint damage, but it should follow a genuine trial of conservative care, not precede it.
Do Not Assume the Worst
Hip pain is not a verdict, and it usually is not a fast track to the operating room. Let us find out what is really causing yours and treat it. Contact Bromberg Chiropractic in Cambridge for a thorough evaluation and a conservative plan to get you moving comfortably again.
