Hip pain: assessment and osteopathic care in Kettering.
Hip pain is common, particularly as we get older, and it has many possible sources — the joint itself, the tendons and bursa on the outside of the hip, or pain referred from the lower back and pelvis. An osteopathic assessment aims to work out which are likely involved, what is realistically likely to help, and when your GP should be involved. For osteoarthritis, osteopathic care is offered alongside the exercise and medical care that form the core of management, not instead of it.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have severe hip pain after a fall or injury, cannot walk or put weight on your leg, or have tingling or loss of feeling in your hip or leg after an injury.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if severe hip pain started suddenly without an injury, your hip is swollen and hot, the skin around it has changed colour, or you feel generally unwell with a high temperature. Full guidance: NHS — Hip pain in adults.
How hip pain feels.
- Groin or front-of-hip ache that is worse walking, climbing stairs or getting out of a low chair
- Pain on the outside of the hip that spreads towards the thigh, often worse lying on that side at night
- Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning that eases as you get moving
- Buttock pain that can be hard to tell apart from the lower back
- Clicking, catching or a sense of the hip 'giving' with certain movements
- Difficulty putting on socks and shoes or getting in and out of the car
What may be involved.
- Osteoarthritis of the hip — more common over 45, typically worse walking with stiffness after rest
- Bursitis or gluteal tendon problems on the outside of the hip, often painful lying on that side
- Muscle or tendon strain after intense or repetitive exercise
- Pain referred from the lower back or sacroiliac joints
- Inflammatory arthritis — stiffness worse after rest, which needs medical diagnosis
- Less common problems such as labral tears or, after a fall, fracture — which need medical assessment
How we approach hip pain.
Work out where the pain is coming from
Hip pain can come from the joint, the tendons and bursa around it, or the lower back and pelvis. We take a careful history and test hip, pelvis and lower-back movement together, and screen for anything that needs your GP or imaging first.
Hands-on care where appropriate
Soft-tissue work and gentle articulation of the hip, pelvis and lower back where these appear to be contributing, with your consent. Hands-on care does not reverse osteoarthritic change; where it is used, it is directed at comfort and movement alongside exercise.
Exercise as the core
For osteoarthritis, staying active and strengthening the muscles around the hip are the mainstay of current guidance. We agree a programme that matches your starting point — even a modest one — and review it with you.
Know when to refer
If your presentation suggests inflammatory arthritis, a possible fracture or labral problem, or you are not improving after a reasonable trial, we will direct you to your GP or the NHS community musculoskeletal service, which in many areas accepts self-referral.
Pacing everyday walking, stairs, sitting and sleep.
NHS advice for hip pain is to keep moving where you can without overdoing it, avoid carrying heavy loads and low chairs, wear comfortable shock-absorbing shoes, and use an ice pack wrapped in a towel and suitable pain relief so you can stay active. What that looks like day to day differs from person to person; these are starting points we adapt with you, not a programme that suits everyone.
Walks in manageable portions. Break a long walk into shorter ones with a rest between, and build the distance back gradually rather than testing the hip on a single long outing.
Stairs. Use the handrail and take stairs at whatever pace keeps them comfortable — one at a time if needed. How stairs feel is a useful marker of change.
Sitting. Choose a firmer, higher chair and avoid deep sofas and low stools, in line with NHS advice. Change position regularly rather than holding one posture for long.
Sleep. Side-sleepers often find a pillow between the knees keeps the hip more comfortable; if lying on the painful side is the problem, try the other side with the pillow in place.
Ice and pain relief. An ice pack (or frozen peas) wrapped in a towel — never directly on the skin — for up to 20 minutes can help. Ask a pharmacist about pain relief that is suitable for you, especially if you take other medicines.
Stop and seek advice rather than pushing through significant or worsening pain; the urgent symptoms above always take priority over any self-management plan.
How we know whether the plan is working.
We agree two or three goals that matter to you and check them at each visit — how far you can walk comfortably, how the stairs feel, whether socks and shoes are easier, how night pain is behaving. If they are moving in the right direction the plan is progressed; if not, it is changed or you are directed to your GP or the MSK service.
- Comfortable walk duration
- Stairs up and down
- Socks, shoes and getting in the car
- Night pain and sleep
- Standing from a chair
There is no fixed number of sessions and no promised timeline. If symptoms are persistent or worsening despite a reasonable plan, we will direct you to your GP or the NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) service rather than continue with the same approach.
What to expect.
Every hip appointment includes a careful history, an assessment of the hip, pelvis and lower back, a clear explanation of the findings and — where appropriate — hands-on care and a plan to take home.
Book online or see your osteopath and fees above.
- 1.
Detailed history — how the pain started, what aggravates and eases it, night pain, your activity level and any previous hip or back problems.
- 2.
Movement and strength testing of the hip, pelvis and lower back, plus observation of how you walk and move.
- 3.
A clear explanation of the likely contributors and whether anything needs medical input before osteopathic care.
- 4.
Hands-on care where appropriate, a simple exercise plan and practical advice on footwear, seating and pacing activity.
Frequently asked.
How do I know if my hip pain is arthritis?
Osteoarthritis of the hip typically affects people over 45, with pain that is worse when walking and stiffness after moving or first thing in the morning. It can only be confirmed by a clinician, and imaging is not always needed. We will tell you if your presentation fits that pattern and whether your GP should be involved.
Is my hip pain actually coming from my back?
Sometimes. Buttock and outer-hip pain can be referred from the lower back or sacroiliac joints, and true hip-joint pain is often felt in the groin. Assessing the back and pelvis is a standard part of a hip assessment here.
Should I rest my hip or keep moving?
NHS advice is to keep moving where you can without overdoing things, avoid carrying heavy loads and low chairs, wear comfortable shock-absorbing shoes and try gentle hip stretches. An ice pack wrapped in a towel and pain relief a pharmacist confirms is suitable for you can help you stay active. We will show you what a sensible level looks like for you.
Can osteopathy help hip osteoarthritis?
Gentle osteopathic care may help some people with day-to-day comfort and movement when used alongside the exercise, weight management where relevant and medical care that form the core of osteoarthritis management. It does not repair the joint, and a cure cannot be promised. See our arthritis page for more on how we approach it.
What about pain on the outside of my hip when I lie on it?
Pain on the outer hip that is worse lying on that side, and may spread down the thigh, is often related to the gluteal tendons or bursa. Assessment, load management and progressive strengthening are the usual approach; we will assess whether that fits your picture.
Do you offer dry needling for hip pain?
Neil also offers dry needling as a general option that can be discussed after assessment and with your consent. It is not offered as a treatment for osteoarthritis: NICE guidance on osteoarthritis (NG226) advises against acupuncture or dry needling for managing OA, and the core of OA care is exercise, weight management where relevant and appropriate medical treatment.
When should I see a GP about hip pain?
See a GP if hip pain is stopping normal activities or affecting sleep, is getting worse or keeps returning, has not improved after two weeks of self-care, or you have stiffness for more than 30 minutes after waking. Seek urgent GP or NHS 111 advice for the symptoms listed at the top of this page, and call 999 after a fall or injury if you cannot walk or bear weight.
Ready to book a hip pain assessment?
Call, WhatsApp or book online. We'll take a careful history at your first visit and be honest about whether osteopathic care looks appropriate for your situation.