Why Hip Pain Happens | Injuries, Causes, and Chiropractic Relief in Westminster, CO

If you're dealing with hip pain that eases up for a bit and then returns, making things like walking, sitting, or working out tough, I get it. I've been treating people with this at Westy Sports Chiro in Westminster, CO, for over a decade. As a sports chiropractor and former strength coach, I've helped active adults from runners and lifters to rec league players and busy parents. Hip issues are common in my office, and they can limit your daily activities or exercise.

You've probably tried foam rolling, stretches, or pain meds, but if the pain keeps coming back, maybe with tightness or referral to the back or knee, it's often because the root problems aren't addressed. In my practice, I look into what's causing it, from built-up tension to sudden strains. The good news is recurring hip pain can be fixed for good so you can move freely again. In this post, I'll cover the types of hip pain I see, explain specific injuries that might be involved (from patterns in my exams), and share how I evaluate and treat it. For more on conditions we handle, visit our Conditions page.

Common Types of Hip Pain I See in My Office

Hip pain shows up in different ways depending on your lifestyle, activities, and how long it's been an issue. In my practice, it breaks down into these main categories:

• Chronic Ache from Overuse or Habits: This builds gradually, often from desk work, running, or repetitive tasks. It feels like a constant dull throb or tightness, worsening with prolonged sitting or movement. I see this a lot in office workers or runners with ongoing strain.
• Acute Sharp Pain from Injury or Strain: This comes on suddenly, like during a twist, lift, or fall. It might be a stabbing sensation with steps or turns, sometimes limiting your range or radiating down the leg. Common in athletes, weightlifters, or anyone who's had an awkward movement.
• Referred Pain Masquerading as Hip Issues: Sometimes it's not starting in the hip. Pain can come from the lower back, SI joint, or even knee, feeling like soreness or weakness around the hip. This confuses many into thinking it's purely a hip problem.

No matter the type, if it's recurring, there's usually an underlying injury or imbalance. Let's get into the specifics of what might be damaged pathoanatomically. That's the tissues involved. I'll explain what these are, how they cause pain, and why they happen, based on what I've treated.

Pathoanatomical Injuries Behind Recurring Hip Pain

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint with muscles, tendons, and cartilage for stability and motion, but it's prone to wear. In my exams, I use orthopedic tests, range checks, and sometimes imaging to pinpoint issues. Here's what I commonly find:

1. Hip Impingement: Also called femoroacetabular impingement, this is pinching in the front of the hip where the ball and socket rub wrong. It causes sharp pain or catching during squats, sitting, or forward bends, often with tightness. How it happens: From repetitive motions like running or lifting that alter joint mechanics, or structural factors like bone shapes. In active adults, it's frequent with high-impact activities, and untreated it can lead to more damage. I see this in many runners or CrossFitters.
2. Hip Labrum Injuries: The labrum is cartilage lining the socket for cushion and seal. Tears here cause deep groin pain, clicking, or instability, worsening with twisting or weight-bearing. They occur from trauma like slips or repetitive stress in sports like soccer. Pain can feel vague but limits activity. These are common in my younger athletes, and early care prevents worsening.
3. Lateral Hip Pain Conditions: This includes bursitis (inflamed fluid sac on the side), IT band syndrome (tight band rubbing), or glute instability (weak muscles not supporting). Pain is on the outer hip, aching or burning with walking, stairs, or side-lying. Causes: Overuse, poor biomechanics, or imbalances like weak glutes from sitting. I spot this in hikers or desk workers, where it builds from uneven load.
4. Posterior Hip Pain Issues: Often from spine referral, piriformis syndrome (muscle irritating sciatic nerve—brief here as I have a separate post), or SI joint dysfunction (joint between spine and pelvis). Pain feels deep in the buttock or back of hip, sometimes with leg referral. How it develops: From spinal misalignments, tight muscles, or trauma. Many call this hip pain, but it's often back-related; I treat it as part of the chain.
5. Degenerative Changes: Like osteoarthritis where joint cartilage wears down, causing stiffness, grinding, or ache, especially mornings or after activity. From age, prior injuries, or overload. In my office, this shows in folks over 50, but movement fixes can manage it well.

These injuries tie into biomechanical changes that overload the hip, like compensation from weak areas turning minor issues into chronic ones.

The Biomechanical "Why" Behind the Recurrence

After identifying injured tissues, I look at why it's recurring. From my experience, hip pain connects to the kinetic chain: spine, core, knees, even feet. Ignoring that leads to repeats. Here are key factors I evaluate and address:

1. Pelvic Instability: The Wobbly Base Your pelvis needs balance for hip support. If it's tilted or unstable from weak glutes or core, it stresses the joint, worsening impingement or labrum issues. Common in runners or sitters. I test with single-leg stands; if off, we use DNS for breathing and stability retraining.
2. Fascial Adhesions: Stuck Tissues Overuse creates sticky connective tissue, limiting glide and fueling inflammation in bursae or tendons. Hits repetitive sports. I use myofascial release like IASTM or cupping for relief.
3. Muscle Imbalances: Weak Links Weak glutes or tight flexors can't support loads, leading to lateral pain or degeneration. From uneven training. Rehab starts light, building functional strength.
4. Lumbar Spine Stiffness: The Back Bottleneck A locked lower back forces hips to compensate, irritating SI or posterior areas. Common in lifters. Adjustments and mobility drills free it up.
5. Movement Patterns: Faulty Habits Poor form in squats or runs alters biomechanics, overloading labrum or impinging. I assess gait or lifts, then correct with movement exercises.

Busting Common Myths About Hip Pain Treatment

Let's clear up some I hear often.

Myth: Surgery's the Only Fix for Labrum or Impingement.
Truth: Most improve with conservative care, avoiding the knife.

Myth: Rest Cures It.
Truth: Helps short-term, but weakens; guided rehab rebuilds.

Myth: It's Just Age.
Truth: Mechanics matter; fixes work at any age.

Myth: Pain Means Bursitis Always.
Truth: Could be IT band, referral, or more; needs eval.

Myth: Stretches Are Enough.
Truth: They ease symptoms, but don't fix roots.

How I Approach Fixing Hip Pain at Westy Sports Chiro

My goal is straightforward care without hassle.

• First Visit: Chat about history, then full exam: motion tests, strength checks, specifics for injuries like impingement or SI.
• Tailored Treatment: Might use dry needling for inflammation, release for adhesions, DNS for biomechanics, adjustments for alignment. For athletes, include form tweaks.
• Follow-Ups: 1-2 weekly at start, blending hands-on with home exercises. Aim for relief in weeks.
• Maintenance: Monthly once solid, to prevent during activity.

FAQs on Recurring Hip Pain

Why flares during activity?
-Often instability or unaddressed tears; needs assessment.

Can chiro help labrum injuries?
-Yes, with rehab to stabilize and reduce stress.

How soon for relief?
-Typically 2-4 weeks.

Safe for runners?
-Yes, tailored for performance.

Bursitis vs. IT Band?
-Bursitis is sac inflammation; IT is band friction—treat similar after check.

Poor form cause permanent damage?
-Not if caught early.