Hip Pain

At East Devon Physical Therapy, we help people with hip pain reduce discomfort, restore movement and rebuild strength so they can walk, exercise, work and live more comfortably.

Hip pain can develop gradually over time or come on after a specific strain, overload or sporting injury. For some people it feels like a deep ache in the joint. For others it is pain on the outside of the hip, into the buttock, groin or upper thigh. It may affect walking, sleep, stairs, running or simply getting comfortable day to day.

We regularly help people with conditions such as greater trochanteric pain syndrome, gluteal tendinopathy, hip osteoarthritis, hip flexor strains and deep gluteal pain.
Our role is to assess properly, explain clearly and build a treatment plan that helps you make steady, meaningful progress.

Common hip problems we treat

General hip pain: Hip pain can come from a range of structures around the joint and surrounding muscles and tendons. A detailed assessment helps us understand what is driving your symptoms and what is most likely to help.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome and gluteal tendinopathy: This often causes pain on the outside of the hip, especially when walking, climbing stairs, lying on that side or standing for longer periods.
Hip osteoarthritis: Hip arthritis can cause stiffness, reduced movement, pain in the groin or thigh and difficulty with walking, bending, stairs and daily activity.
Hip flexor strain: Hip flexor problems can cause pain at the front of the hip, especially with lifting the knee, running, kicking, sprinting or sudden changes of direction.
Piriformis and deep gluteal pain: Some people experience pain in the buttock or back of the hip that may be aggravated by sitting, walking or exercise. This type of pain can be complex, so careful assessment is important to understand the likely source of symptoms and guide the right rehabilitation approach.

Common symptoms of hip pain

People with hip problems may experience:

Pain in the groin, outer hip, buttock or upper thigh
Stiffness when walking or getting up from sitting
Pain with stairs, hills or longer walks
Discomfort lying on one side
Pain during running, gym work or sport
Reduced confidence loading the leg
Weakness around the hip or pelvis
Symptoms that build with repeated activity

Not all hip pain is the same, which is why a detailed assessment is important.

Our approach to hip pain treatment

At East Devon Physical Therapy, we do not just focus on the painful area.

We look at how the hip is moving, how well the tissues are tolerating load, how strength and control are being affected, and what needs to change to support recovery.

Your treatment plan may include:

A detailed hip assessment
Clear diagnosis and explanation
Advice on activity modification and load management
Manual therapy where appropriate
Mobility work to improve movement
Targeted exercises to improve strength, control and tolerance to load
Rehabilitation for walking, running, work and sport
Movement retraining where needed
Advice on pacing and flare-up management where appropriate
PBM laser therapy where clinically appropriate to help calm irritation and support recovery

Our aim is to reduce pain, improve function and help you move with more confidence again.

Why hip pain can linger

Hip pain often becomes persistent when the joint or surrounding tissues remain irritated, strength and control are reduced, or activity is either pushed too hard or avoided for too long.

Rest alone may help temporarily, but if the underlying movement, loading or rehabilitation issues are not addressed, symptoms often return when normal activity increases again.

That is why effective treatment is not just about pain relief. It is about restoring strength, movement, confidence and resilience over time.

Why choose East Devon Physical Therapy?

We combine expert clinical assessment with practical, evidence-based rehabilitation tailored to the individual.

Some people need help settling pain and getting back to normal daily activity. Others need a more structured rehabilitation plan to return to walking, running, work or sport. We adapt treatment to the person in front of us rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Our team focuses on honest advice, clear explanation and meaningful long-term improvement.