Why Your Hip Pain Might Not Be Coming From Your Hip

Why Your Hip Pain Might Not Be Coming From Your Hip

When someone comes into our osteopathy clinic in Narre Warren saying they’ve got hip pain, they often point to the outside of the hip, around the pocket line. The thing is, that’s not actually where your hip joint sits. In many cases, the pain isn’t even coming from the hip itself.

At GravityOsteo, our osteopaths in Melbourne take the time to figure out whether what you’re feeling is true hip pain or pain referred from somewhere else in the body.

Lateral Hip Pain vs True Hip Pain

Lateral hip pain (pain on the outside of the hip) is often caused by:

• Irritation of the glute tendons

• Inflammation of the bursa (bursitis)

• Muscle imbalances between the glutes, TFL, and deeper stabilisers

• Overcompensations from your lower back, knees, or even your feet

This type of pain often worsens when lying on your side, walking up hills, climbing stairs, or sitting for long periods.

True hip pain is usually felt deep in the groin because the hip joint sits inside the pelvis. Nerves from the joint refer pain to the groin area. Causes can include:

• Osteoarthritis

• Labral tears

• Cartilage damage

• Hip impingement

Why the Source Isn’t Always the Site

Pain is tricky. Sometimes what feels like hip pain is coming from somewhere completely different. We see many cases where lower back irritation, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or abdominal muscle imbalances create pain patterns that mimic hip pain.

One recent example was an athlete with an overactive TFL and underactive glute medius, leading to instability and pain on the outside of the hip. Through a combination of manual therapy techniques, targeted rehab, and postural retraining, we restored balance and reduced the pain.

The Whole-Body Osteopathy Approach

Our osteopaths in Berwick always look beyond the sore spot. We assess:

• How your joints, muscles, and fascia are working together

• Whether your movement is being compromised by compensations elsewhere

• How your breathing and posture are influencing your overall mobility

By treating the underlying cause and not just the symptoms, we can help you achieve longer-lasting back pain relief, improved function, and a reduced risk of recurring injuries.

When to Seek Treatment

If hip or groin pain has been hanging around for more than a couple of weeks, or it’s affecting your sleep, walking, or sport, it’s worth getting it assessed by an experienced osteopath in Narre Warren. The earlier we find the source, the sooner you can get back to doing what you love.