Physiotherapy treatment to relieve hip pain in Peterborough
Physiotherapy for hip pain focuses on the assessment and rehabilitation of conditions affecting the hip joint and surrounding muscles. Hip pain can arise from muscles, joints, soft tissues, or nerves, and can often be associated with injury, muscular strains, osteoarthritis or referred pain from the low back.
Your physiotherapist at VCF will carry out a thorough assessment of your hip and the surrounding areas, as well as your movement, strength, mobility, position and posture, to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Based on the findings of your assessment, your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and may include hands-on therapy, such as manual therapy, joint mobilisations, and deep tissue techniques to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore normal movement.
Your physiotherapist will also prescribe targeted exercises to improve your range of motion, strength, and overall function. You may receive advice on posture and alignment, return to sport, workstation ergonomics, and modifying daily activities to support your recovery. Where appropriate, acupuncture may also be included as part of your treatment plan.
Our aim is to help you achieve your goals by relieving pain, restoring movement and function, get you back to the activities you love and reduce the risk of your symptoms returning.
Common hip conditions
Muscle strains
Gluteal tendinopathy
Bursitis
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Hip Osteoarthritis
Referred pain from the low back
Muscle strains
Muscle strains of the hip occur when one or more fibres of the muscles or tendons around the hip are overstretched or torn. This can occur during sport, lifting, sudden movements, repetitive activities or following a fall. Symptoms may include:
A dull ache in the muscle or sharp pain on movement in the front, side or back of the hip
Pain when walking, climbing stairs or standing from sitting
Tenderness over the affected muscle
Reduced hip range of motion
Muscle weakness or difficulty bearing weight
Swelling or bruising in more severe strains
Gluteal tendinopathy
Gluteal tendinopathy is a condition affecting the tendons of the gluteal muscles where they attach to the outside of the hip. It develops gradually due to overuse, repetitive loading or prolonged pressure on the tendons and is a common cause of pain on the outer side of the hip. Symptoms may include:
Pain on the outside of the hip
Pain when lying on the affected side
Discomfort when walking, climbing stairs or standing on one leg
Pain after prolonged sitting
Tenderness over the outside of the hip
Weakness around the hip
Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when one of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the hip joint becomes inflamed. This is most commonly seen on the outside of the hip (greater trochanteric bursitis) and may develop due to repetitive movements, prolonged pressure, injury or underlying tendon irritation. Symptoms may include:
Pain over the outside of the hip
Tenderness to touch
Pain when lying on the affected side
Pain during walking, climbing stairs or prolonged standing
Stiffness after periods of rest
Occasionally, mild swelling around the hip
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) occurs when the shape of the ball or socket of the hip joint causes abnormal contact during movement. Over time, this can irritate the cartilage and labrum within the joint, leading to pain and reduced movement. Symptoms may include:
Pain in the front of the hip or groin
Pain during deep bending, squatting or twisting movements
Hip stiffness and reduced range of motion
Clicking, catching or locking sensations in the hip
Pain during or after sport and exercise
Difficulty sitting for prolonged periods
Hip osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition where the smooth cartilage lining the hip joint gradually wears down over time. It commonly develops with age but may also occur following previous injury or due to abnormal joint mechanics. Symptoms may include:
Gradual onset of hip or groin pain
Stiffness- particularly first thing in the morning or after rest
Reduced hip range of motion
Pain when walking, climbing stairs or standing for prolonged periods
Difficulty putting on shoes and socks
Clicking, grinding or catching sensations within the joint
Can refer pain into the knee also
Referred pain
Referred pain from the low back occurs when irritation of the joints, muscles, discs or nerves in the lumbar spine causes pain to be felt around the hip or buttock. Although the pain is experienced in the hip region, the source of the problem originates from the lower back. Symptoms may include:
Pain in the buttock, side of the hip or groin
Low back pain with associated hip discomfort
Pain that travels into the thigh or leg
Pins and needles or numbness in the lower limb
Symptoms that worsen with prolonged sitting, bending or lifting
Changes to symptoms with changes in spinal position
Frequently asked questions for hip pain
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If your hip pain lasts longer than a few days, keeps returning, limits your ability to walk, exercise, or sleep, or developed after an injury, book in as soon as possible for an assessment.
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Hip pain can result from a variety of conditions, including muscle or tendon injuries, gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis, hip osteoarthritis, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), labral injuries, or referred pain from the lower back. Please see our common hip conditions above for more information.
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Physiotherapy aims to reduce pain, improve mobility, restore strength, and address movement patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms.
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Recovery time depends on the cause and severity of your condition. Mild muscle strains may improve within a few weeks, while tendon injuries, arthritis, or more complex hip conditions may require several weeks or months of rehabilitation.
Why Choose VCF Physiotherapy
Experienced Physiotherapists: Our team has extensive experience in treating a wide range of hip conditions, from acute muscle strains and tendon injuries to long-term issues such as hip osteoarthritis, bursitis, gluteal tendinopathy, and femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Several members of our team are active in sports like running, football, and netball, giving us a strong understanding of how hip pain can affect both performance and everyday life.
Hip Pain and Sports Expertise: VCF Physiotherapy specialises in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of sports-related injuries. We focus on improving mobility, reducing pain, restoring strength and stability, and optimising movement patterns to help you recover efficiently and return to sport or daily activities safely and confidently.
Personalised Goals: Every patient receives an individualised treatment plan tailored to their condition, lifestyle, activity level, and functional goals. Our aim is not only to relieve symptoms but to address the underlying cause of your hip pain, supporting a safe return to full function while providing strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Expert-Led Practice: Our Practice Manager and Senior Physiotherapist lead weekly in-service training sessions, ensuring our team stays up to date with the latest research and delivers high-quality, evidence-based care for a wide range of hip conditions.
Experienceing hip pain?
Book an appointment with our expert physiotherapists at VCF by filling out our online form, or call us on 01733 331212 today and begin your personalised physiotherapy treatment plan.