Quick answer
Hip pain commonly comes from arthritis, tendon overload (gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis) or muscle strain — and sometimes from the lower back. Physiotherapy with targeted strengthening and manual therapy is the first-line treatment for nearly all of these causes. Physiotherapy is a proven, first-line treatment for hip pain.
What Is Hip Pain?
Hip pain can be felt in the groin, the side of the hip or the buttock — and each location hints at a different structure. Groin pain suggests the joint itself; side-of-hip pain usually means the tendons over the greater trochanter; buttock pain is often referred from the lower back.
Common Symptoms of Hip Pain
Symptoms vary from person to person, but hip pain most often shows up as:
- Groin ache walking, climbing stairs or getting out of a car
- Pain lying on that side at night
- Catching or clicking deep in the joint
- Stiffness putting on socks and shoes
- Pain after rising from sitting (“start-up” pain)
- Limping or reduced walking distance
What Causes Hip Pain?
Common causes and risk factors include:
- Osteoarthritis of the hip joint
- Gluteal tendinopathy or trochanteric bursitis
- Muscle strains from sprinting or changing direction
- Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) or labral irritation
- Referred pain from the lumbar spine
- Training load increases too fast
How Physiotherapy Treats Hip Pain
Your plan is tailored to your assessment findings, but most treatment plans combine:
- Progressive strengthening for glutes, quads and deep hip rotators — proven for both arthritis and tendinopathy
- Manual therapy to reduce stiffness and ease muscle guard
- Gait retraining and load modification that keeps you walking
- Activity pacing during arthritis flare-ups
- Pre- and post-operative programs around hip replacement
At Dynamic Balance Physiotherapy & Vestibular Rehab Clinic in Clayton, Cloverdale, Surrey & Langley, BC, every plan is one-on-one, evidence-based and built around your goals — no two treatment plans are alike.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is a 45-minute one-on-one assessment. Your physiotherapist reviews your health history, tests the movement, strength and joints involved in your hip pain, explains what is actually driving your symptoms, and usually starts treatment the same day. You leave with a clear diagnosis, a personalized plan and realistic milestones — no doctor’s referral needed.
Hip Pain FAQs
Do I need a referral to physiotherapy for Hip Pain?
No. In BC, physiotherapists are primary-care practitioners, so you can book directly with us. If your symptoms ever need a physician’s eyes, we will tell you and point you in the right direction.
Can hip arthritis improve without surgery?
Yes — structured exercise therapy is the first recommended treatment for hip osteoarthritis. Most people reduce pain, improve walking tolerance and delay or avoid joint replacement with consistent strengthening and load management.
How many sessions will my Hip Pain need?
Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 4–8 visits, though recovery varies with severity and how long symptoms have been present. Your physiotherapist gives you a personalized estimate after the first assessment.
Get Hip Pain Relief in Surrey & Langley
If hip pain is limiting your day, the team at Dynamic Balance Physiotherapy & Vestibular Rehab Clinic is ready to help. Book online or call — same-week appointments are usually available, and we direct bill ICBC, WorkSafeBC and most extended-health plans.