Hip and Pelvis Pain

Assessment and rehabilitation for hip and pelvic conditions related to movement, activity, pregnancy, aging, sport, and everyday life demands.

Understanding Hip and Pelvic Pain

Hip and pelvic pain can develop from a combination of movement demands, repetitive loading, strength deficits, mobility restrictions, injury, surgery, pregnancy-related changes, or age-related adaptations.

Symptoms may develop gradually over time or occur following a specific event such as a fall, sports injury, change in training, or increase in physical demands.

Physiotherapy focuses on identifying contributing factors and developing practical rehabilitation strategies to improve movement tolerance, function, and long-term confidence in activity.

Common Hip and Pelvic Conditions

Conditions may include:

• Hip impingement-related pain

• Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain and dysfunction

• Hip osteoarthritis and stiffness

• Tendon irritation and tendinopathy

• Bursitis and lateral hip pain

• Groin strains and adductor-related pain

• Weakness or reduced control through the gluteal and core musculature

• Pain associated with prolonged sitting, driving, walking, or running

• Pregnancy and postpartum-related pelvic pain

• Recovery following hip replacement surgery

• Congenital or structural hip conditions

• Fracture recovery and return to activity

Hip Impingement and Movement-Related Pain

Hip impingement-type symptoms are often aggravated by:

• sitting

• squatting

• twisting

• running

• getting in and out of vehicles

Rehabilitation focuses on improving movement tolerance, strength, mobility, and overall activity capacity.

SIJ and Pelvic Pain

Pain around the sacroiliac joint and pelvis may be influenced by:

• prolonged sitting or standing

• pregnancy-related changes

• movement and loading patterns

• strength and endurance deficits

Symptoms may present around the lower back, buttock, hip, groin, or pelvis and can fluctuate depending on activity levels and tolerance.

Tendon Pain, Bursitis, and Groin Strains

Hip and pelvic pain may involve irritation of the tendons or surrounding soft tissues, particularly around the gluteal muscles, outer hip region, or groin.

Symptoms are often aggravated by:

• walking

• stairs

• running

• prolonged standing

• repetitive activity

Physiotherapy focuses on gradually improving strength, load tolerance, and movement capacity while reducing excessive irritation.

Pregnancy, Aging, and Recovery

Hip and pelvic pain commonly changes throughout different stages of life, including during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and aging.

Physiotherapy may help improve:

• mobility and strength

• walking and activity tolerance

• movement confidence

• recovery following surgery or fractures

The goal is to support long-term function and help individuals remain active through changing life demands.

How Physiotherapy May Help

Physiotherapy may help by:

• identifying contributing movement and load-related factors

• improving strength and endurance capacity

• restoring movement confidence and mobility

• improving walking, running, and activity tolerance

• supporting recovery from surgery or injury

Treatment may incorporate:

• movement and load-based rehabilitation

• exercise prescription and education

• manual therapy

• intramuscular stimulation (IMS) where clinically appropriate

These approaches are integrated when clinically appropriate as part of an individualized rehabilitation plan.

Who This Applies To

Hip and pelvic pain can affect:

• runners and active individuals

• people with desk-based or driving-heavy work

• athletes and recreational exercisers

• pregnant and postpartum individuals

• older adults navigating mobility and strength changes

• individuals recovering from surgery or fractures

Related Articles

Learn more:

• Understanding hip pain with sitting and driving

• Tendon pain and load management

• Glute and core strength for hip support

• Staying active with osteoarthritis and age-related changes

• Returning to activity following hip surgery or injury

What To Do Next

If hip or pelvic pain is persistent, recurring, or affecting walking, exercise, work, sleep, or daily activity, a structured assessment can help identify contributing factors and guide rehabilitation.