Pain around the hip, groin and pelvis can come from many different structures, which is part of what makes this region both common and, at times, confusing to make sense of. The same area is shared by the hip joint, the muscles and tendons that move it, the bursae that cushion it, and the nerves and joints of the pelvis — and pain can even be referred here from the lower back. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire with hip, groin and pelvic pain, beginning with a careful assessment to work out what is actually going on.
Understanding hip, groin and pelvis pain
The hip and pelvis form a powerful, weight-bearing structure that we rely on with every step. The hip itself is a deep ball-and-socket joint, surrounded by some of the largest muscles in the body and stabilised by strong tendons and ligaments. The pelvis anchors the spine, transfers load to the legs, and houses joints such as the sacroiliac joints and the pubic symphysis at the front. With so many structures packed closely together, it is not always obvious which one is responsible for a given ache or twinge.
This is exactly why a thorough assessment matters so much in this region. Pain felt in the groin often comes from the hip joint itself, pain on the outer hip frequently involves the tendons and bursae, and pain that spreads from the back into the buttock and hip may be referred from the lower back. Most of these problems are mechanical — relating to how the structures move and load — rather than signs of serious disease, and most respond well to the right care.
What hip, groin and pelvis pain can feel like
Because so many structures can be involved, symptoms vary widely. You might notice:
- Pain deep in the groin or the front of the hip, often worse on weight-bearing
- Pain on the outer side of the hip, sometimes tender to lie on at night
- Aching across the buttock or the back of the pelvis
- Stiffness and reduced movement, particularly with stairs or getting in and out of a car
- Discomfort that spreads into the thigh, or that is clearly linked to particular activities
The precise location of your pain, and the movements that provoke or ease it, give us important clues about which structures are involved.
Common causes and risk factors
Hip, groin and pelvic pain has many possible causes, including:
- Wear-and-tear changes in the hip joint, such as osteoarthritis
- Tendon problems around the hip, such as hip tendonitis
- Irritation of the cushioning bursae, such as trochanteric bursitis or iliopsoas bursitis
- Pelvic-joint problems such as sacroiliac joint syndrome or pubic symphysis disorder
- Muscle strains, overuse, or pain referred from the lower back
Part of our assessment is narrowing down which of these is most relevant for you, so that care can be directed sensibly rather than by guesswork.
When to seek help
Much hip, groin and pelvic pain settles with the right care and time, but some situations need prompt medical attention. Please seek urgent care if your pain follows a significant fall or injury, if you cannot bear weight or the leg appears shortened or turned out, or if the area is hot, swollen and red with a fever. You should also see your GP for pain that is severe, steadily worsening, or accompanied by feeling generally unwell or unexplained weight loss. In men, a persistent groin lump or bulge should be checked by a doctor, as it may indicate a hernia rather than a musculoskeletal problem.
Getting to the right diagnosis
Perhaps more than anywhere else in the body, the value we add with hip, groin and pelvic pain begins with an accurate assessment. Because the region is shared by so many structures, treating the wrong one rarely gets far, and a problem labelled simply as “hip pain” may turn out to be coming from the joint, a tendon, a bursa, the pelvis or even the back. Taking the time to work this out — through a careful history and examination — is what allows care to be focused where it will genuinely help, and it often brings reassurance in its own right by explaining symptoms that have been puzzling.
How chiropractic care can help
Joint, muscle and pelvic pain of this kind is well within the range of problems chiropractors care for. Following a thorough assessment — including the lower back and pelvis, which are so closely linked to the hip — our hands-on, drug-free care may include manipulation and mobilisation, soft-tissue work to ease tension around the joint, and a graded exercise programme to restore movement and build supporting strength.
Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, we can also draw on physiotherapy for rehabilitation, which is often central to lasting improvement in this region. We will always be honest about what care can realistically offer, and we will recognise when a problem needs imaging or onward referral, arranging it without hesitation.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your pain and where it is coming from. We will take a careful history — how it started, what aggravates it, and how it affects your daily life — and carry out a physical examination of the hip, pelvis, lower back and how you move, including tests of strength and range of movement. We will explain what we have found in plain language and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Our team includes practitioners with a range of techniques and special interests, so you can be matched to the right person and approach. You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page. We will be realistic about the likely course of care and review your progress as we go.
Helping yourself: self-care and prevention
There is a lot you can do to support a recovering hip and pelvis, and gentle, regular movement is usually far better than avoiding activity altogether. Measures that often help include:
- Keeping the area moving within comfortable limits rather than resting it completely
- Staying generally active — walking and swimming are often well tolerated
- Building strength in the hip, buttock and core muscles gradually, ideally with guidance
- Managing your weight where relevant, since this reduces load on the joints
- Pacing activity to avoid repeated heavy flare-ups while things settle
If you would like advice tailored to you, we can build a safe, progressive exercise and self-care plan around your particular problem so that progress in the clinic is supported by what you do at home.
Related conditions and treatments
Hip, groin and pelvis pain overlaps with many related problems, and it can help to read about hip pain, hip tendonitis, trochanteric bursitis, iliopsoas bursitis, groin and thigh pain and sacroiliac joint syndrome. The care we provide draws on approaches such as chiropractic manipulation and exercise and rehabilitation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic and physiotherapy services.
Take the first step
If hip, groin or pelvic pain is getting in the way of your life, you do not have to simply put up with it. We are happy to talk it through and help you understand your options. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.