Hip Pain Treatment
Hip Pain Treatment in Boca Raton, FL
Hip pain can come from the joint itself, the surrounding muscles and tendons, or referred sources like the low back — and it can make walking, stairs, and even sleep uncomfortable.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Matthew Winke, DACM · Last reviewed
What Is Hip Pain?
Hip pain is discomfort in or around the hip joint, which can be felt in the groin, the outer hip, the buttock, or referred down the thigh. Pinpointing where the pain is felt helps identify its source.
Common causes include hip osteoarthritis (wear-related joint changes), bursitis and tendon irritation on the outer hip, muscle strains, and pain referred from the lower back or sacroiliac joint. Each is approached differently.
For osteoarthritis in particular, the joint responds well to a combination of staying active, strengthening the supporting muscles, and managing pain — an approach that keeps the hip moving rather than letting it stiffen.
Hip pain can come from the joint itself, the surrounding muscles and tendons, or referred sources like the low back — and it can make walking, stairs, and even sleep uncomfortable. Osteoarthritis is among the most common causes, especially with age, but it is far from the only one.
At Acupuncture Xperts, we frequently help patients in Boca Raton seeking conservative, non-surgical options for hip pain — care aimed at easing discomfort and supporting the strength and mobility that keep the hip functioning well.
Common Causes
Osteoarthritis
Wear-related breakdown of the hip joint’s cartilage causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range — a leading cause, especially with age.
Bursitis and Tendon Irritation
Inflammation of the bursa or tendons on the outer hip (greater trochanter) causing sharp outer-hip pain.
Muscle Strains
Strains of the hip flexors, glutes, or groin, often from sport or overuse.
Referred Low-Back Pain
Problems in the lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint can refer pain into the hip and buttock.
Overuse and Mechanics
Repetitive load, gait changes, or leg-length differences can concentrate stress on the hip.
Prior Injury
Earlier hip or pelvis injuries can contribute to later pain and altered mechanics.
Symptoms
- Groin or deep hip pain
- Outer-hip pain, sometimes tender to lie on
- Stiffness, especially after rest
- Pain with walking, stairs, or getting up
- Reduced range of motion
- Pain that may radiate to the thigh or buttock
- A limp during flare-ups
Risk Factors
- Older age
- Prior hip or pelvis injury
- Repetitive or high-impact activity
- Excess body weight
- Muscle weakness or imbalance
- Gait or leg-length differences
How We Help
Depending on your evaluation, your plan may draw on one or more of the following therapies, often beginning with Acupuncture for Hip Pain or Cupping Therapy.
Our Acupuncture Treatment services may help support pain relief and mobility around the hip, using local and regional points.
- Supporting pain management
- Improving local circulation
- Reducing muscular tension around the hip
- Supporting function and mobility
Cupping Therapy may be incorporated over the hip and gluteal muscles to encourage circulation and ease tightness.
- Improved circulation
- Reduced muscle tension
- Enhanced recovery
Our Neuromuscular Massage Therapy addresses tight or overworked hip, gluteal, and low-back muscles that contribute to hip pain.
- Muscle tension
- Trigger points
- Compensation patterns
Gua Sha may help address soft-tissue restriction around the hip and outer thigh.
For appropriate cases, Injection Therapy may be incorporated to address trigger points or soft-tissue dysfunction as part of a comprehensive plan.
Infrared PEMF Crystal Therapy may promote relaxation and circulation as part of a broader plan.
Patients with hip pain come to our Boca Raton clinic from Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and Highland Beach.
What the Research Says
For hip pain — most commonly from osteoarthritis — the acupuncture evidence includes a Cochrane review of peripheral-joint osteoarthritis and a hip-specific meta-analysis. The findings are nuanced, and we present them that way.
Cochrane Review
Acupuncture for Peripheral-Joint Osteoarthritis — Cochrane review
Across 16 trials (3,498 participants), sham-controlled comparisons showed small short-term benefits in pain and function that fell below the review’s threshold for clinical relevance, while comparisons with waiting-list/usual care were larger. Most data came from knee osteoarthritis, with fewer hip-specific trials.
Manheimer E, Cheng K, Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(1):CD001977. View on PubMed →
Meta-Analysis
Acupuncture for Hip Pain — systematic review & meta-analysis
Reviewing 12 randomized trials (8 specifically in hip osteoarthritis), the authors found acupuncture added to conventional care produced a significant effect versus conventional care alone or sham-plus-conventional care. They emphasized the supporting evidence was weak owing to small samples and study quality, and called for further trials.
Park HS, Jeong HI, Sung SH, Kim KH. Acupuncture Treatment for Hip Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare (Basel). 2023;11(11):1624. View on PubMed →
Individual results vary. Acupuncture is used to support pain relief and function alongside the exercise and activity guidance that is first-line for hip osteoarthritis. Hip pain has many possible sources, so an accurate diagnosis guides the plan.
These summaries are educational and describe published research; they are not a guarantee of individual results.
Hip Exercises & Self-Care
For hip osteoarthritis and many soft-tissue hip problems, gentle strengthening and mobility of the hip and surrounding muscles is a first-line, well-supported measure. The examples below are conservative starting points that complement in-office care.
Keep movements smooth and pain-free, and build up gradually. Strong hip and gluteal muscles help offload an irritated joint.
Strength
Glute Bridge
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat, hip-width apart.
- Press through your heels and lift the hips until your body forms a straight line from knees to shoulders.
- Squeeze the glutes at the top, then lower with control.
How much: 2 sets of 10, once daily
Stability
Standing Hip Abduction
- Stand tall holding a counter for balance.
- Keeping the leg straight and toes forward, lift one leg out to the side a comfortable distance.
- Lower slowly with control; avoid leaning your torso.
How much: 2 sets of 10 per side, once daily
Stretch
Seated Hip Flexor / Figure-4 Stretch
- Seated, cross one ankle over the opposite knee to make a figure-4.
- Keeping the back tall, gently lean forward from the hips until you feel a stretch in the buttock/outer hip.
- Hold at a comfortable stretch, then switch sides.
How much: 3 holds of 20–30 seconds per side, once daily
Mobility
Low-Impact Cardio
- Favor joint-friendly activity — walking, stationary cycling, or pool exercise — to keep the hip moving.
- Start with shorter sessions and build duration gradually.
- Motion helps nourish the joint and maintain function.
How much: 20–30 minutes, most days as tolerated
Ease off activities that sharply increase deep groin or hip pain.
Stop any exercise that sharply increases pain, or causes numbness, tingling, or pain radiating into a limb, and consult a qualified provider. These general examples are educational and do not replace an individual evaluation.
Take the first step on your Hip Pain recovery
Personalized, non-surgical care from Dr. Winke and the Acupuncture Xperts team.
What to Expect
Your Care Journey
- 01
Initial Consultation
Care begins with a thorough conversation about your health history, lifestyle, and specific goals for addressing your hip pain.
- 02
Evaluation
We assess the underlying contributors — movement, posture, muscular patterns, and overall wellness — to understand what may be driving your symptoms.
- 03
Personalized Treatment
Based on your evaluation, we build a customized plan that may combine several complementary therapies suited to your individual needs.
- 04
Supporting Recovery
Beyond in-office care, we offer guidance on movement, ergonomics, and lifestyle adjustments to help support lasting results.
- 05
Our Approach
We focus on conservative, non-surgical, whole-person care aimed at addressing root contributors rather than only masking symptoms.
- 06
Why Patients Choose Us
Patients throughout South Florida choose Acupuncture Xperts for our individualized, integrative approach and our commitment to long-term wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
For hip osteoarthritis, a hip-specific meta-analysis found acupuncture added to conventional care produced a significant effect (at weak certainty), and a Cochrane review of joint osteoarthritis found small short-term benefits versus sham and larger benefits versus usual care. Individual results vary, and it works best alongside exercise.
Not necessarily arthritis. Groin pain often points to the joint; sharp outer-hip pain tender to lie on suggests bursitis or tendon irritation; and low-back problems can refer pain into the hip. An exam helps identify the source and the right plan.
For most hip osteoarthritis and soft-tissue hip pain, staying active within comfortable limits is better than prolonged rest. Gentle strengthening and low-impact movement help maintain function — see the exercises above.
Acupuncture is used to support pain relief and function conservatively; it does not reverse joint damage. Whether surgery becomes appropriate depends on the severity of joint changes and how much conservative care helps — a conversation to have with an orthopedic specialist.
Strengthen the glutes and hip muscles, keep up low-impact activity (walking, cycling, pool work), and manage load and body weight where relevant. The exercises above are a conservative starting point.
When to Seek Professional Care
- Hip pain follows a fall or significant injury
- You cannot bear weight or the hip gives way
- Pain is severe or steadily worsening
- There is significant swelling, redness, or warmth
- Night pain is markedly disrupting sleep
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness develops in the leg
Hip pain has many possible sources, and identifying whether it is coming from the joint, the surrounding soft tissue, or the low back is central to effective care. For hip osteoarthritis in particular, staying active and strong while managing pain keeps the joint working well.
If you are exploring hip pain treatment in Boca Raton, our team at Acupuncture Xperts can help evaluate your symptoms and build a personalized, conservative plan. We proudly serve Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, Deerfield Beach, and Palm Beach County.
Have questions or ready to begin? Contact our Boca Raton clinic to get started.
Serving Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, Deerfield Beach, Palm Beach County.
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