3 Reasons Your Hip Pain Won’t Quit (And How to Fix It in Westminster, CO)

Hip pain can grind your life to a halt. Whether it’s a dull ache during your morning run, stiffness after a long day at the desk, or discomfort that wakes you up at night, it’s frustrating when it just won’t quit. As a sports chiropractor in Westminster, CO with over a decade of experience helping active adults—runners, gym-goers, rec league players, and busy parents—I see this struggle daily at Westy Sports Chiro. You’ve probably tried foam rolling, stretching, or even a few adjustments, but the pain keeps creeping back. Why? Most treatments focus only on the hip, missing the real culprits driving the issue.

At Westy Sports Chiro, we dig deeper, using hands-on assessments and tailored therapies to uncover and fix the root causes of your hip pain. Whether it’s chronic tightness from sitting or running, or an acute injury from a bad twist in a soccer game, we build plans that deliver lasting hip pain relief. In this post, I’ll break down three hidden reasons your hip pain persists, share practical at-home tips, debunk common myths, and explain our approach to getting you back to pain-free movement in Westminster, CO. Ready to ditch that ache for good? Let’s dive in.

Why Hip Pain Isn’t Just a Hip Problem

Your hips are built for power—walking, running, squatting, and pivoting all depend on them. But that versatility makes them prone to overload, especially if you’re hitting the trails, lifting weights, or juggling desk work and family life. Chronic hip pain might feel like tightness in the joint, soreness in the glutes, or an ache radiating to your lower back. Acute hip pain, like from a strain or tweak, can be sharper, limiting your ability to move freely.

From my days as a strength and conditioning coach and career as a sports chiropractor, I’ve learned hip pain is rarely just about the hip. It’s often a signal of imbalances elsewhere—core, spine, or movement patterns. That’s why quick fixes like generic stretches or pain meds don’t last. At Westy Sports Chiro, we use a blend of hands-on techniques and therapies—Active Release Technique (ART), Dry Needling, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), and more—to create bespoke plans that address the real issue, not just the symptoms.

3 Hidden Causes of Chronic and Recurring Hip Pain

Here’s what I see driving hip pain in my Westminster, CO patients, from runners to desk workers.

1. Poor Core and Pelvic Stability: A Weak Foundation

Your hips don’t work alone—they rely on a strong core and balanced pelvis. Weak glutes, tight hip flexors, or underactive obliques (common in runners or those sitting all day) can overload the hip joint, causing pain during squats, runs, or even walking. This lack of stability forces smaller muscles, like the tensor fasciae latae, to overcompensate, leading to tightness or irritation.

We fix this with DNS to retrain core and pelvic coordination, paired with targeted exercises to strengthen weak links. For example, a simple test: Stand on one leg and notice if your hip drops or wobbles. If so, that’s a clue your stability needs work.

2. Spinal Misalignment and Restricted Mobility: The Ripple Effect

A misaligned spine or stiff lower back (lumbar or thoracic) forces your hips to pick up the slack, leading to overuse injuries like bursitis or tendinitis. This is huge for active adults who lift weights or sit for hours, as poor spinal mobility throws off the entire chain.

Using a variety of joint movement assessments, we pinpoint restrictions, then apply chiropractic adjustments and manual therapy techniques to restore mobility. This takes pressure off the hips, letting them move naturally again.

3. Movement Dysfunctions: When Your Body’s Out of Sync

Repetitive motions—like running strides or heavy deadlifts—can create imbalances if your mechanics are off. For instance, tight hip flexors or a locked-up sacroiliac (SI) joint can shift stress to the hip, causing pain that flares with activity.

We address this with a mix of IASTM to release tight tissues and DNS exercises to rebuild proper movement patterns, ensuring your hips, core, and spine work as a team.

Busting Common Myths About Hip Pain Treatment

Let’s clear up some misconceptions I hear in my Westminster, CO office:

• Myth: Hip Pain Means You Need a Replacement. Most hip pain, even in your 40s or 50s, can be managed without surgery by fixing movement and stability.

• Myth: Stretching Alone Will Fix It. Stretching helps temporarily, but without addressing core or spinal issues, pain returns.

• Myth: Rest Is the Answer. Rest eases acute pain, but without rehab, you’ll hurt again when you get active.

• Myth: Hip Pain Is Just Aging. Age doesn’t doom you to pain—it’s about correcting imbalances, not “getting old.”

At-Home Tips for Hip Pain Relief to Try Now

Professional care is key for lasting results, but these tips can help manage hip pain between visits:

1. Glute Bridge: Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat—lift hips toward the ceiling for 10 reps to activate glutes.

2. Hip Flexor Stretch: Lunge forward, keeping your back leg straight, hold for 20 seconds per side—eases tightness from sitting.

3. Figure-Four Stretch: Lie down, cross one ankle over the opposite knee, pull gently—targets hip rotators.

4. Desk Posture Fix: Adjust your chair so hips and knees are at 90 degrees, screen at eye level.

5. Foam Roll Glutes: Roll gently to release tension, 1–2 minutes per side.

If pain persists or worsens, especially with sharp or locking sensations, get a pro assessment.

How We Fix Hip Pain for Good at Westy Sports Chiro

At Westy Sports Chiro in Westminster, CO, we cut the nonsense—no insurance hassles, no upsells, just results. Book online, fill out digital forms, and we’ll dive in:

• Initial Visit: We discuss your pain, lifestyle, and goals, then perform a hands-on exam (motion palpation, range of motion, functional tests) to nail down the cause.

• Tailored Therapies: A custom mix—dry needling for tight muscles, adjustments for alignment, ART/IASTM for mobility—all delivered by me, no assistants.

• Follow-Ups: 1-2 sessions weekly at first, blending manual work with targeted exercises to rebuild function.

• Long-Term Wins: Most see relief in weeks, transitioning to monthly tune-ups to stay pain-free.

A Real Example: From Runner’s Hip Pain to Pain-Free Miles

Take “Jake,” a 32-year-old Westminster runner with chronic hip tightness that flared during long runs, making every step ache. Foam rolling didn’t help long-term. After assessing his pelvic instability and lumbar stiffness, we used a combo of DNS exercises, IASTM, and gentle adjustments. In four weeks, Jake was back to 10K runs without pain, stronger and more balanced than before.

FAQs on Recurring Hip Pain

• Why does my hip pain flare up when running? Likely weak core or pelvic instability—get a movement assessment.

• Can chiropractic help hip pain without surgery? Yes, by restoring alignment and function.

• How long until relief? Most improve in 2-4 weeks with consistent care.

• Is it safe for athletes? Absolutely—our plans enhance performance.

End Hip Pain Today

If hip pain is holding you back from runs, workouts, or restful sleep, it’s time for real answers. At Westy Sports Chiro, we help Westminster, CO active adults conquer chronic hip pain with personalized, proven treatments. Our $49 new patient special includes a full assessment and custom plan for hip pain relief that lasts. Book now at westysportschiro.com—let’s get you moving freely again.