Conditions · Hip Pain
Care for hips that don’t want to cooperate.
Groin pain, outer-hip pain, stiffness getting up from a chair — IPGMN treats hip pain with hands-on care, soft tissue work, and rehab built into one plan.
What it is
What is hip pain?
Hip pain is discomfort in the hip joint, groin, outer leg, or buttock. It can show up as a deep ache after sitting, a sharp pinch when reaching down to tie a shoe, or a steady soreness that wakes you when you sleep on that side.
The hip is a deep, complicated joint, which is why “hip pain” can mean a lot of different things. At Integrated Provider Group of Minnesota (IPGMN), the first job is to figure out where the pain is actually coming from — the joint itself, the muscles around it, the lower back, or some combination — and build the right plan from there.
Common Symptoms
What hip pain feels like
Symptoms vary depending on what’s actually causing the pain.
- Pain in the groin
- Often a sign the joint itself is involved.
- Pain on the outside of the hip
- Common with bursitis or gluteal tendon issues.
- Pain in the buttock
- May come from the hip, the lower back, or both.
- Stiffness getting up from sitting
- You feel locked up for the first few steps.
- Pain at night
- Sleeping on the affected side wakes you up.
- Catching or pinching
- A sharp catch with deep squatting, reaching, or twisting.
- Trouble putting on socks or shoes
- You can’t reach the foot the way you used to.
- Limp after activity
- The hip protests after walking, running, or hiking.
What Causes It
Where hip pain usually comes from
Most hip pain is mechanical — from the joint, muscles, or movement patterns. The categories below cover what we see most.
Joint dysfunction or impingement
The hip is supposed to move freely in every direction. When it doesn’t, the joint itself starts complaining.
Bursitis
The bursa on the outside of the hip can get irritated, causing tender, point-specific pain.
Gluteal tendinopathy
The tendons of the glute muscles — especially gluteus medius — are a common source of stubborn lateral hip pain.
Lower-back referral
Pain in the buttock and outer hip is often referred from the lower back, not the hip itself.
Muscle imbalance
Tight hip flexors and weak glutes are a recipe for chronic hip pain — especially in people who sit all day.
Old injuries or arthritis
Falls, sports injuries, and joint changes over time can leave the hip sensitive and stiff.
When to seek urgent care
A few hip symptoms need a doctor first.
Most hip pain is safe to treat with integrated chiropractic care. The signs below mean you should be evaluated medically first.
Get evaluated by a medical provider first if you have:
- Severe pain after a fall or major impact, especially in older adults.
- An inability to bear weight on the leg.
- Sudden swelling, redness, or warmth in the hip.
- Fever with hip pain.
- Hip pain with significant numbness or weakness in the leg.
How IPGMN Treats It
A plan to free up the hip.
Most hip pain plans at IPGMN combine several of the following:
Chiropractic Care
Adjustments to the hip, pelvis, and lower back restore the motion the joint needs to feel free.
Learn more →Soft Tissue Therapy
Releases the deep glute, TFL, and hip flexor tightness that drives most chronic hip pain.
Learn more →Corrective Exercise
Glute and core strengthening that gives the hip the support it needs to stop flaring up.
Learn more →EMS & Ultrasound
Eases muscle spasm and supports tissue healing, especially helpful with bursitis or tendinopathy.
Learn more →What a Care Plan May Look Like
A typical hip pain care plan
Every plan is personalized, but most hip pain patients move through a similar arc.
Calm it down
First two to three weeks: hands-on care, soft tissue work, and modalities to reduce pain.
Restore motion
Mobility work to free the hip, pelvis, and lower back so they move together again.
Build it back
Glute, core, and balance training so the hip stays strong and the pain stops coming back.
Available at These Locations
Hip pain care at all 7 IPGMN clinics
Choose the clinic closest to you. Same-week appointments are usually available.
Related Conditions
Often connected to hip pain
The hip rarely has a problem in isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hip pain care
Can a chiropractor help with hip pain?
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Yes. Most hip pain is mechanical — coming from joint, muscle, or movement-pattern problems — and responds well to a combination of chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, and rehab. At IPGMN we treat the hip itself plus the lower back and pelvis it’s connected to.
Is my hip pain coming from the hip or the back?
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It’s a great question, and a common one. Pain in the buttock or outer hip can come from either. Your provider will run specific tests to figure out which structures are involved and where the source actually is.
Do I need imaging?
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No — imaging is not required before your first appointment. Your provider will complete a thorough physical and movement examination at your first visit, which gives us the information we need to begin your care. If you have existing X-rays or MRI results from a prior evaluation, feel free to bring them along — they can be helpful context, but they are never a requirement. If imaging is needed as part of your care, your provider will discuss that with you directly.
What if I’ve been told I need a hip replacement?
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Even with significant joint changes, many patients see meaningful improvement with conservative care. We can work alongside your orthopedic team and help you get the most function out of the hip you have, or prepare you for the strongest recovery if surgery is the right call.
When should I see a medical doctor instead?
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Severe pain after a fall, an inability to bear weight on the leg, sudden swelling, or fever with hip pain are reasons to seek medical evaluation first.
Ready to feel better?
Same-week appointments at all 7 Twin Cities locations.
