3 August 2026
Hip pain can be frustrating because it is not always felt in one neat, obvious place. Some people feel it at the front of the hip or deep in the groin. Others notice it around the outside of the hip, into the buttocks or even down their thigh.
Pain within the hips can sometimes be more complex than it first seems, because they work closely with the lower back, pelvis and legs. Understanding where the discomfort is coming from is the first step towards knowing what kind of care may help.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Hip pain can happen for several reasons, and the cause is not always obvious straight away. Sometimes it comes on suddenly after a twist, fall or sports injury. Other times, it builds gradually through posture, repeated movements, long periods of sitting, or the way the lower back, pelvis and legs are working together.
While every person is different, some of the most common causes are as follows…
Muscle Strain or Overuse
Muscle strain is one of the more common reasons hip pain can appear, especially after doing more than your body is used to. This could be from sport, running, lifting, gardening, a long walk, or even a busy few days where you have been on your feet more than normal.
Stiffness in the Hip Joint
Stiffness in the hip joint can make everyday movement feel harder than it should. It can almost feel like your hip doesn’t want to move freely or that you need a few minutes to “get going” after sitting for a while.
When the hip is stiff, the surrounding muscles and joints often have to work harder to make up for it. The lower back, pelvis, knee or opposite hip may start taking more of the load, which can add to the discomfort over time.
Sitting for Long Periods
Sitting for long periods can leave the hips feeling stiff and uncomfortable, especially if you spend much of the day at a desk, in the car, or working from a laptop in a strained position. When the hips stay bent for hours at a time, the muscles around the front of the hip can start to feel tight, while the glutes and supporting muscles may not be doing much work at all.
When Should You Get Hip Pain Checked?
Not every bit of hip pain needs urgent attention. Sometimes the hip feels sore after exercise, a long walk, a busy day on your feet, or sitting for longer than usual. If it eases with gentle movement, rest from the activity that brought it on, and sensible day-to-day changes, it may settle on its own.
That said, hip pain is worth getting checked if it keeps coming back, is getting worse, or starts affecting normal things like walking, climbing stairs, sleeping, driving or exercising. You should also seek advice if the pain came on after a fall, twist or injury, or if you are struggling to put weight through the leg.
There are also times when hip pain should be looked at more urgently. The NHS advises urgent help if you have severe hip pain after a fall or injury, cannot walk or put weight on the leg, or have tingling or loss of feeling in the hip or leg after an injury.
Can Chiropractic Care Help with Hip Pain?
Chiropractic care may help with some types of hip pain, especially when the problem is linked to stiffness, muscle tension, reduced movement, or the way the hip, pelvis and lower back are working together. Hip pain is not always coming from the hip joint alone, so it is important to look at the wider picture rather than focusing only on where the pain is felt.
At Lichfield Chiropractic Clinic, the first step would be to understand how the pain started, where you feel it, and what makes it better or worse. For example, does it hurt when you walk, sit, climb stairs, exercise, or get out of the car? Has it come on suddenly after an injury, or has it been building gradually over time?
Where chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment may involve hands-on work to help improve movement through the lower back, pelvis or hip area, along with advice on stretches, strengthening exercises and everyday habits that may be adding to the problem. The aim is to help you understand what may be contributing to the pain and what you can do to support better movement going forward.
If your symptoms suggest that you need medical advice, imaging or a different type of care, your chiropractor should also be able to guide you on the next best step.
