Understanding Hip Pain: What’s Really Going On and How We Can Help

Hip pain isn’t just an “ache.” It can make the simplest things—walking the dog, sitting at work, getting through a workout, or even trying to sleep—frustrating and uncomfortable. At Health in Motion Chiropractic here in DeBary, FL, we meet so many patients who say, “I’m not even sure why my hip hurts or where it’s coming from—I just know I can’t keep living like this.”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Because the hip is such a large, complex joint, pain can show up in different places—and each tells us something about what’s happening.

• Front of the hip or groin pain? Often linked to the ball-and-socket joint itself, or tension in the psoas muscle.
• Pain on the side of the hip? That can point to bursitis or issues with the gluteal muscles/tendons.
• Pain in the back of the hip? Frequently connected to the sacroiliac (SI) joint, lumbar spine, or glutes.

And of course, arthritis or labral tears can add another layer. The tricky part? All these structures are close together, which is why you need a proper exam to sort them out. Let’s look closer at understanding hip pain—and what it might be telling you.

Can You Figure It Out at Home?

We get this question all the time. While there are “at-home” tests (like the FABER test, straight leg raise, or simple range-of-motion checks), the truth is, hip pain is rarely cut-and-dry. What feels like a hip issue could be coming from your low back. What feels like a pulled muscle might be more of a tendon or joint problem.

Bottom line: Those DIY tests might give you hints, but nothing replaces a thorough, hands-on evaluation. That’s where we come in, helping you with understanding hip pain and guiding you towards lasting relief.

How We Treat Hip Pain at Health in Motion

This is where people often sigh with relief—instead of guessing or just masking the pain, we dig into the root cause. Your hip pain treatment plan may include:

• Chiropractic Adjustments → To restore proper alignment and take pressure off joints and nerves.
• Therapeutic Exercises → Targeted movements that strengthen weak areas and stabilize the hip.
• Myofascial Release & Graston Technique → Hands-on and instrument-assisted therapies that break up scar tissue, release tight muscles, and improve mobility.
• Spinal Decompression → If your hip pain is driven by a low back disc issue (common in sciatica-type pain).
• Focused Shockwave Therapy → Great for stubborn injuries like tendon irritation or bursitis that just won’t heal on their own.
• PRP Neuropathy Treatment → For nerve-related hip and leg pain, we can use your body’s own healing factors to calm inflammation and regenerate tissue.
• Therapeutic Massage → To ease tension, improve circulation, and support long-term recovery.

When necessary, we collaborate with other providers or refer out for imaging (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound) to ensure we’re not missing anything.

What to Expect with Recovery

Some patients start noticing easier movement and less pain within a few weeks of consistent care. Chronic or more complex cases may take longer—and yes, occasional flare-ups are normal during the healing process. But with the proper guidance and plan, the trend is toward lasting hip pain relief, improved function, and getting back to the things you love.

When to Reach Out

If your hip pain:

• Has lasted more than a few days
• Interferes with walking, standing, or sleeping
• Comes with stiffness and loss of mobility

…it’s time to get checked out. You don’t have to “just live with it” or hope it’ll go away on its own.

At Health in Motion Chiropractic in DeBary, our mission is simple: not just to quiet the pain, but to restore balance, mobility, and confidence in your body.

Let’s make understanding hip pain the first step, so you can move forward with lasting relief. Call us today to schedule your appointment and find targeted, lasting solutions.