PRIMUS PHYSIO
Hip Pain Treatment

Hip Pain Physiotherapy

Expert treatment for hip arthritis, bursitis, hip flexor strains, greater trochanteric pain and hip impingement — helping patients in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent move freely again.

Hip ArthritisHip BursitisGTPSHip FlexorHip Impingement

Hip Problems We Treat

Hip pain can develop gradually through overuse, arthritis and tendon problems, or suddenly from a strain or injury. It affects people of all ages — from runners and gym-goers to older adults managing arthritis. Identifying the exact structure causing your pain is the first and most important step, as different hip conditions require very different treatment approaches.

Hip osteoarthritis
Greater trochanteric pain (GTPS)
Hip flexor strains
Hip bursitis
Hip impingement (FAI)
Labral tears
Piriformis syndrome
Glute tendinopathy
Groin strain
Hip pain in runners
Hip pain post-surgery
Referred hip pain from the back

Common Hip Conditions Explained

Hip Osteoarthritis

Gradual wear of the hip joint cartilage causing stiffness, deep groin or buttock pain and reduced range of motion. Most common in adults over 50 but can occur earlier. Physiotherapy is one of the most evidence-supported treatments — often delaying or avoiding the need for replacement.

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS)

Pain on the outer hip, often worse lying on the affected side or climbing stairs. Involves the gluteal tendons at the greater trochanter — not the bursa, despite being commonly called 'hip bursitis'. Responds very well to progressive tendon loading and hip strengthening.

Hip Flexor Strain

Sudden or gradual pain at the front of the hip or groin — common in runners, footballers and gym-goers. Often caused by overuse or a rapid increase in sprinting or kicking load. Responds well to a structured loading programme.

Hip Impingement (FAI)

Femoroacetabular impingement occurs when there is abnormal contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint. Causes groin pain, clicking or catching sensations with hip flexion or rotation. Physiotherapy can manage symptoms effectively in many cases.

Labral Tear

The labrum is a ring of cartilage around the hip socket. Tears cause deep groin pain, clicking or locking. Can be managed conservatively with physiotherapy in many cases — strengthening the surrounding muscles reduces load on the labrum.

Referred Pain from the Back

Hip pain is frequently caused by problems in the lower back, sacroiliac joint or lumbar spine. A thorough assessment distinguishes true hip pain from referred pain — as treating the wrong structure will not produce improvement.

How We Treat Hip Pain

Full hip and movement assessment

We identify the exact structure causing your pain and assess contributing factors in the lower back, knee and movement patterns — because hip pain is rarely caused by the hip alone.

Hands-on treatment

Manual therapy to reduce pain, improve joint mobility and release surrounding muscle tension — helping you move more comfortably while rehabilitation builds underlying strength.

Glute and hip strengthening

The cornerstone of most hip pain treatment. Weak glutes and hip abductors are implicated in nearly every hip condition. A progressive strengthening programme reduces load on the painful structure and prevents recurrence.

Tendon loading for GTPS and glute tendinopathy

Specific progressive loading exercises for gluteal tendinopathy — far more effective than rest, massage or injection for long-term relief of outer hip pain.

Activity and load management

Advice on modifying training, daily activity and sleeping position to reduce pain while keeping you as active as possible throughout recovery.

Return to sport and activity

Structured return to running, gym, walking and sport with criteria-based progression — so you return confidently and reduce the risk of the problem coming back.

What Patients Say

★★★★★

"Luqman provided an excellent physio service. He identified the root cause of my hip pain that others had missed and I completed my half marathon almost pain free."

— Gary
★★★★★

"Very professional service. Clear explanation of what was causing my hip pain and a structured plan that actually made a lasting difference."

— Google Review
★★★★★

"I had been struggling with outer hip pain for months. The exercises I was given made a huge difference and I was back to walking without pain within a few weeks."

— Google Review

Hip Pain FAQs

Can physiotherapy help hip arthritis? +
Yes — physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for hip osteoarthritis. Strengthening the muscles around the hip reduces joint load, improves function and reduces pain. It can significantly delay or avoid the need for hip replacement surgery.
What is GTPS and how is it treated? +
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) causes outer hip pain and is often incorrectly called hip bursitis. It involves the gluteal tendons at the greater trochanter. It responds very well to physiotherapy with progressive tendon loading and hip strengthening — injections and rest are less effective long term.
Why does my hip hurt when I lie on my side? +
Pain lying on the outer hip is a classic sign of GTPS or gluteal tendinopathy. Compression of the tendons in this position irritates already sensitised tissue. Sleeping with a pillow between the knees is an immediate helpful strategy — alongside physiotherapy to address the underlying cause.
Could my hip pain be coming from my back? +
Yes — referred pain from the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint or sciatic nerve can present as hip or groin pain. A thorough physiotherapy assessment distinguishes true hip pain from referred pain, which is crucial because the treatment approaches are completely different.
Can I still exercise with hip pain? +
In most cases yes, with modification. Staying active is important for hip health — particularly for arthritis. We advise on which activities to continue, which to modify and how to progress your exercise safely.
Do I need a GP referral? +
No — you can book directly at Primus Physio without a GP referral and be seen the same week, including evenings and weekends.
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Same-week appointments in Newcastle-under-Lyme. No GP referral needed.

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