Hip Pain Treatment in Georgetown, TX
Your hips are central to almost every movement you make — walking, sitting, climbing stairs, and staying active. When hip pain sets in, it affects everything. At Ash Chiropractic & Wellness in Georgetown, TX, we specialize in identifying and treating the root cause of hip pain so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations. Call (512) 868-6400 to schedule your consultation.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
The hip is a complex ball-and-socket joint that bears enormous mechanical load throughout the course of daily life. Hip pain can originate from the joint itself, from the muscles and tendons surrounding it, from the bursa (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint), or from problems in the lower spine that refer pain into the hip and groin region. Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent causes of hip pain, particularly in adults over 50, and involves the gradual wearing down of the articular cartilage that allows the joint to move smoothly. Bursitis — inflammation of the trochanteric bursa on the outer hip — causes a characteristic aching or burning pain on the side of the hip that worsens with prolonged activity. Muscle strains, tendonitis, and labral tears are common in active patients and athletes.
Hip pain can also be referred from the lumbar spine. Conditions such as sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and disc herniation can produce pain that radiates into the hip, buttock, and groin — sometimes making it difficult to distinguish between a true hip problem and a lumbar referral pattern. This is precisely why a thorough, whole-body evaluation is so important before beginning treatment. Dr. Ash will assess not just the hip itself but your spinal alignment, gait mechanics, and lower extremity function to ensure that the underlying source of your pain is correctly identified and properly addressed.
How Chiropractic Care Treats Hip Pain
At Ash Chiropractic & Wellness, we take a comprehensive approach to hip pain that addresses both the joint dysfunction and the surrounding muscular and soft tissue structures. Chiropractic adjustments to the hip and lumbar spine restore proper joint alignment, relieve nerve irritation, reduce inflammation, and improve range of motion. Hip adjustments are gentle and precisely targeted, with techniques adapted to each patient’s level of joint degeneration and individual comfort. For patients with arthritis or significant joint wear, adjustments are combined with other therapies to maximize comfort and effectiveness.
Massage therapy addressing the hip flexors, piriformis, gluteal muscles, and iliotibial band helps release the muscle tension and trigger points that frequently contribute to hip pain. Deep tissue laser therapy reduces inflammation within the hip joint and surrounding soft tissues, providing pain relief and accelerating the healing process. Cupping therapy can also be effective for releasing deep gluteal and hip flexor tension. Rehabilitative exercises prescribed by Dr. Ash strengthen the muscles that support and stabilize the hip, helping to correct the movement imbalances that often underlie chronic hip pain and reducing the likelihood of future flare-ups. Research suggests that a significant percentage of patients who seek chiropractic care for hip pain — including those with osteoarthritis — experience substantial improvement and are able to avoid or delay surgical intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions — Hip Pain
Can a chiropractor help with hip pain from arthritis?
Yes. While chiropractic care cannot reverse the structural changes of osteoarthritis, it can significantly reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and help patients function better and more comfortably. Many patients with hip arthritis who pursue chiropractic care — including adjustments, laser therapy, and rehabilitative exercise — experience meaningful improvements in quality of life and are able to delay or avoid hip replacement surgery.
How does lower back misalignment cause hip pain?
The lumbar spine and the hip joint are closely connected mechanically and neurologically. Spinal misalignment in the lower back can irritate the nerves that innervate the hip and produce referred pain in the hip, groin, and buttock region. Additionally, when the spine is out of alignment it alters the way load is distributed through the pelvis and hip, placing abnormal stress on the hip joint over time. Correcting lumbar alignment through chiropractic adjustments often produces dramatic improvements in hip pain.
What is trochanteric bursitis and can chiropractic care help?
Trochanteric bursitis is inflammation of the bursa on the outer hip, causing aching or burning pain along the side of the hip and thigh that worsens with prolonged standing or walking. Chiropractic care — including hip adjustments, laser therapy to reduce bursal inflammation, and massage to address surrounding muscular tension — can be very effective for this condition.
Is hip pain from sciatica different from hip joint pain?
Yes, though they can feel similar. Sciatic pain radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg — it is caused by nerve compression in the lumbar spine rather than a problem within the hip joint itself. True hip joint pain is typically localized to the groin, the lateral hip, or the buttock and tends to worsen with specific hip movements like rotation. Dr. Ash will determine the correct source of your pain through a thorough evaluation.
Can chiropractic care help me avoid hip surgery?
In many cases, yes. Studies show that a significant percentage of patients who receive chiropractic care for hip pain — even those with significant arthritis — experience enough improvement to avoid or delay surgical intervention. We encourage any patient considering hip surgery to first explore a comprehensive course of conservative chiropractic care.
How long does hip pain treatment take?
Recovery time varies depending on the cause, severity, and duration of your hip pain, as well as your overall health and activity level. Acute hip injuries may respond quickly, while chronic arthritis-related pain typically requires ongoing management. Dr. Ash will outline a realistic treatment timeline after your initial evaluation at Ash Chiropractic & Wellness.
What exercises help with hip pain?
Gentle hip flexibility and strengthening exercises — such as hip bridges, clamshells, lateral band walks, and modified stretches for the hip flexors and piriformis — are commonly recommended to support chiropractic care for hip pain. Dr. Ash will provide a personalized exercise program appropriate to your specific condition and stage of treatment.