Hip pain is a common complaint among women, who tend to experience it more frequently than men. Visiting a chiropractor is a great place to start if you’re a woman hoping to address your hip pain. To boost their chances of successfully treating you, however, it is a good idea to consider where your pain may stem from.

Is it really your hip?

What many people describe as hip pain is actually experienced to the side of the upper thigh, in the buttocks, or in the lower back. Hip pain, meanwhile, is usually felt in the outer hip directly across the hip joint or in the groin area.

Common reasons for hip pain

Once you have ascertained that the pain really is coming from your hip, you should consider whether the following problems are possibly affecting you:

1. Hip fractures

Hip fractures are fairly common amongst older women, particularly if they have a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Symptoms include pain when standing or lifting the leg.

2. Arthritis

Chronic pain in the hip is often down to arthritis, particular for older women. Signs of arthritis in the hop include swelling or stiffness in the join and a pain in the front of the thigh.

3. Bursitis or tendinitis

There are many tendons around the hip that connect your muscles to their joints. These can easily become painful and inflamed if you take on large amounts of physical exercise. Tendon pain is particularly common amongst runners and can extend down the legs through to the knee.

Bursitis is similar to tendinitis and refers to inflammation of the bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip bone. Symptoms include pain whenever the hip joint is moved.

4. Hernia

Often referred to as sports hernias, femoral and inguinal hernias can cause serious hip pain. Pregnant women, in particular, are susceptible to these issues due to the added pressure on their abdominal wall.

5. Gynaecological issues

Whilst your hip pain may feel musculoskeletal, this may not be the case. Gynaecological problems such as endometriosis can cause tenderness in the pelvis and can often be mistaken for hip pain. It is important to consider this possibility before visiting a chiropractor.

Get in touch today

If you’re dealing with hip pain and would like help from a chiropractor, get in touch today!