From osteoarthritis and bursitis to hip pain during pregnancy and after running — our Oakville physiotherapy team delivers lasting relief so you can move freely again.
Hip pain is discomfort arising from any structure in or around the hip joint — including the bones, cartilage, labrum, bursae, muscles, tendons, or the nerves that pass through the region. It can range from a dull ache that worsens with sitting, to sharp groin pain with movement, to radiating pain down the thigh.
The hip is one of the body's most powerful joints, responsible for bearing your full body weight through every step. As a ball-and-socket joint, it allows a wide range of movement — making it vulnerable to both degenerative wear and acute injury. The hip is also a common site for referred pain from the lower back and sacroiliac joint, meaning the source is not always where the pain is felt.
According to Statistics Canada, osteoarthritis — the leading driver of chronic hip pain — affects over 4.4 million Canadians (1 in 8), with prevalence rising sharply after age 40. Physiotherapy is the evidence-based, first-line treatment recommended before any surgical intervention.
Hip pain is rarely caused by a single factor. Understanding what is driving your pain is the first step to lasting relief.
Cartilage breakdown in the hip joint causes bone-on-bone friction, producing deep groin pain, morning stiffness, and reduced range of motion. The most common cause of chronic hip pain in adults over 45. Affects 1 in 8 Canadians.
A tear in the acetabular labrum — the cartilage ring that seals the hip socket — causes clicking, catching, and deep groin pain, especially with hip flexion and rotation. Common in active adults and athletes.
Abnormal contact between the femoral head and acetabulum during movement causes pain at end-range hip flexion. Physiotherapy significantly reduces symptoms and can delay or prevent surgery in many cases.
Inflammation of the fluid-filled bursa on the outer hip causes lateral hip pain — often sharp and aggravated by lying on the affected side. A primary cause of hip pain while sleeping.
Tearing or overstretching of the iliopsoas or rectus femoris causes sharp anterior hip pain, especially when lifting the leg. Common in runners, cyclists, and those who sit for extended periods.
Iliotibial band tightness and friction along the outer hip and knee causes lateral pain after running. Often described as a burning sensation at the lateral hip that worsens with distance.
Hip fractures — particularly in older adults with osteoporosis — require rehabilitation to restore strength, gait, and independence. Post-hip replacement physiotherapy is essential to optimise outcomes.
An audible snap or pop felt at the hip during movement, caused by a tendon flicking over a bony prominence. Can be anterior (iliopsoas), lateral (IT band), or intra-articular (labral). Physiotherapy resolves most cases.
Lumbar disc herniation or piriformis syndrome can refer pain through the buttock and into the lateral hip, mimicking true hip joint pathology. A thorough physiotherapy assessment differentiates the source. Learn about sciatica →
Relaxin-driven ligament laxity and postural changes in pregnancy destabilise the pelvis and hip joint, causing anterior groin pain, sacroiliac pain, and lateral hip aching. Physiotherapy is safe and highly effective throughout all trimesters. Prenatal physiotherapy →
Bone density loss weakens the femoral neck, increasing fracture risk and causing diffuse hip and groin aching. Physiotherapy strengthens supporting muscles and improves balance to reduce fall risk. Osteoporosis care →
The sacroiliac joint, just above the hip, frequently refers pain into the posterior hip and buttock. Often confused with hip OA or sciatica. Manual therapy and stabilisation exercise are highly effective treatments. Back pain physio →
Hip pain can present in many forms depending on the underlying cause. These are the most common signs that physiotherapy can address:
Don't wait until hip pain becomes chronic or limits your mobility. Early physiotherapy produces the best outcomes. Book an assessment if you experience:
⚠ Seek emergency care for hip pain after trauma, inability to bear weight, severe swelling, or fever — these may indicate a fracture or infection.
The timing and context of your hip pain is a key diagnostic clue. Here's what each pattern typically means.
Most commonly caused by trochanteric bursitis or hip OA. Side-sleeping compresses the lateral bursa, and osteoarthritic hip joints stiffen during inactivity. A pillow between the knees and targeted physiotherapy reduce night pain significantly.
💡 Side-sleeping strategy included in your treatment planRelaxin loosens pelvic ligaments from the first trimester, destabilising the hip and sacroiliac joint. Round ligament pain, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and postural changes all contribute. Physiotherapy is safe and highly effective at all stages.
💡 Safe treatment throughout all three trimestersIT band syndrome, hip flexor tendinopathy, stress reactions, and labral irritation all present as post-run hip pain. Load management, biomechanical correction, and hip strengthening restore pain-free running in most athletes within 6–10 sessions.
💡 Return-to-running program includedHip OA, bursitis, and hip flexor weakness all cause pain with weight-bearing activity. The hip requires 3–4 times body weight during walking. Physiotherapy improves joint mechanics, reduces load, and rebuilds the muscle support system.
💡 Gait retraining included for walking painDeep groin pain after prolonged sitting often points to hip flexor tightness, FAI, or labral irritation — structures compressed in sustained hip flexion. A 90° hip angle creates maximum intra-articular pressure in OA and FAI presentations.
💡 Ergonomic seating advice providedHip OA, osteoporosis, and post-fracture rehabilitation require specialised geriatric physiotherapy. Strength, balance, and fall prevention are primary goals alongside pain relief. Geriatric physiotherapy →
💡 Falls prevention programme availableWhy it happens
Relaxin hormone released from first trimester — loosens pelvic ligaments for birth
Pelvic instability and altered centre of gravity shift load onto the hip joint
Hip flexors and gluteal muscles become overloaded and tight
Pain at groin, lateral hip, sacroiliac joint or pubic symphysis
Physiotherapy stabilises the pelvis and relieves pain — safely at any trimester
Hip pain during pregnancy is extremely common — affecting up to 45% of pregnant women. The combination of hormonal ligament laxity, growing belly weight, and postural compensation creates a perfect storm of hip, pelvic, and low back stress.
Physiotherapy is the gold-standard, medication-free approach to managing hip pain in pregnancy. Treatment focuses on stabilising the pelvis and hip joint, releasing tight hip flexors and piriformis, and providing safe exercises that can be continued at home throughout the pregnancy.
Postnatal hip pain is equally common as the body recovers from birth and readjusts under the demands of feeding, carrying, and reduced sleep. Learn about prenatal & postnatal physiotherapy →
Pelvic floor connection: Hip pain in pregnancy often co-occurs with pelvic floor dysfunction. Our physiotherapists assess both simultaneously. Pelvic floor physiotherapy →
A precise diagnosis drives a precise treatment plan. Our physiotherapists use validated clinical tests to identify the exact source and nature of your hip pain.
Goniometric measurement of hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and internal/external rotation — establishing objective baselines and identifying the specific movement planes that reproduce pain.
Objective MeasurementThe Flexion-Adduction-Internal Rotation (FADIR) and Flexion-Abduction-External Rotation (FABER) tests reproduce symptoms from FAI, labral tears, hip OA, and sacroiliac dysfunction — distinguishing intra- from extra-articular sources.
Provocation TestingManual muscle testing and dynamometry of hip abductors, external rotators, and extensors identifies the specific strength deficits — particularly gluteus medius weakness — that perpetuate hip pain and dysfunction.
Muscle FunctionObservational and video gait analysis identifies Trendelenburg gait, hip drop, trunk lean, and cadence abnormalities that increase hip joint loading. Single-leg squat and step-down tests screen functional control.
Functional ScreenDirect palpation of the greater trochanteric bursa and Ober's test for IT band/TFL tightness differentiates lateral hip pain sources — guiding whether treatment targets the bursa, tendon, or fascial system.
Palpation TestingThe Hip Disability & Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), Harris Hip Score, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) quantify pain and functional limitation — providing objective benchmarks to track your recovery.
Outcome TrackingOur physiotherapists assess and treat the full spectrum of hip and pelvic conditions — from acute injuries to chronic degenerative disease.
Every treatment plan is built around your specific assessment findings. We use the most current evidence-based approaches available.
Hands-on hip joint mobilisation, traction, and soft tissue techniques to restore range of motion, reduce intra-articular pressure, and decrease pain in hip OA, labral tears, and bursitis.
Joint mobilisation →Progressive gluteus medius, external rotator, and hip extensor strengthening corrects the muscle imbalances underlying most hip conditions — reducing joint load and preventing recurrence.
Intramuscular stimulation targets trigger points in the piriformis, TFL, hip flexors, and gluteals — rapidly releasing tension and reducing referred pain patterns in and around the hip.
Dry needling →Ultrasound energy accelerates healing in deep hip soft tissues — particularly effective for trochanteric bursitis, hip flexor tendinopathy, and post-surgical scar tissue management.
Ultrasound therapy →Electrical modalities reduce hip pain, decrease muscle spasm, and promote tissue healing — particularly useful in acute bursitis, post-surgical hip care, and chronic OA pain management.
Electrotherapy →Video gait analysis identifies and corrects loading patterns, trunk lean, and hip drop that drive hip pain — essential for runners and those returning to sport or high-activity levels post-injury.
Sustained manual pressure releases fascial restrictions in the hip capsule, IT band, TFL, and hip flexors — restoring mobility and reducing the chronic tightness that perpetuates hip pain.
Myofascial release →A personalised hip pain exercise program — stretching, strengthening, and mobility — continues your recovery between sessions and builds long-term resilience against recurrence.
At-home physio →Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation breaks down scar tissue and fascial adhesions in hip tendons and bursae, restoring normal tissue mobility and reducing chronic lateral hip pain.
Graston technique →These evidence-based exercises are safe to begin at home. For a personalised program matched to your diagnosis, book an assessment with our team.
Activates the gluteus maximus and relieves anterior hip compression — the most prescribed foundational exercise for hip OA, bursitis, and post-surgical rehab.
Strengthens the gluteus medius — the key stabiliser of the lateral hip — reducing bursitis symptoms, hip drop during gait, and IT band stress.
Stretches the iliopsoas and rectus femoris — chronically tight in desk workers, runners, and pregnant women. Reduces anterior hip pain and groin tightness.
Targets the gluteus medius in a functional standing position — directly relevant to walking, running, and stair-climbing. Reduces Trendelenburg pattern and lateral hip pain.
Stretches the piriformis and deep external rotators — tight in bursitis, sciatica, and snapping hip. Relieves deep buttock aching and posterior hip tightness.
Trains the hip stabilisers in a functional single-leg position — essential for runners, older adults, and post-surgical patients. Improves proprioception and reduces hip joint loading during activity.
Protecting the hip at night and during activity reduces tissue irritation and accelerates recovery between physiotherapy sessions.
Side-sleeping with a pillow between your knees maintains hip alignment and eliminates the adduction force that compresses the lateral bursa — the single most effective position change for bursitis and OA night pain.
Foam or gel hip protector pads reduce direct pressure on the greater trochanter during side-lying. Particularly useful for frail older adults, post-fracture patients, and those with prominent lateral hip bony anatomy.
Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees reduces hip flexion load and eliminates lateral compression entirely — the ideal position for acute bursitis, FAI, and post-surgical recovery.
Avoiding hip adduction movements (crossing legs, sitting low), reducing stair frequency during acute flares, and using a walking aid to unload the joint during acute OA or bursitis episodes allows tissue recovery while maintaining mobility.
Ice (15 minutes) reduces acute bursitis and post-activity hip inflammation. Heat (20 minutes) relaxes chronically tight hip flexors, piriformis, and OA joints. Your physiotherapist will advise which is appropriate for your presentation.
Sleep position directly affects hip tissue pressure. Here's what the evidence recommends:
Your physiotherapist will personalise sleep positioning advice based on your specific diagnosis.
We make accessing hip pain physiotherapy as easy as possible. RCP Health bills your insurance provider directly — you pay nothing out-of-pocket at the time of your visit. Our administrative team handles all paperwork, pre-authorisation, and claim submission on your behalf.
We bill your insurer directly. No reimbursement waiting. No out-of-pocket payment at the time of your visit.
Pre-authorisation, claim submission, and coverage verification — all managed by our administrative team.
Hip injuries from workplace accidents and motor vehicle collisions are covered. No referral required. WSIB →
Our team will verify your benefits before your first appointment so there are no surprises. Call us anytime.
From your first call to full recovery — here is exactly what your experience looks like with our team.
Book online in 2 minutes or call our Oakville clinic. No referral is required. Our team confirms your appointment, verifies your insurance, and prepares your intake — so your first session is focused entirely on your hip pain.
⏱ 2 minutes onlineYour first 60-minute session is dedicated to understanding your hip pain completely. We assess range of motion, strength, gait, provocation tests, and your full musculoskeletal history — identifying the exact source of your pain before any treatment begins.
⏱ 60 minutes · First visitYour physiotherapist explains their findings in plain language, provides a realistic recovery timeline, and outlines a tailored treatment plan. You leave your first appointment knowing exactly what is causing your hip pain and how we will fix it.
⏱ End of visit 145-minute treatment sessions combine manual therapy, guided exercise, and modalities tailored to your hip condition. Your program is updated at every visit based on your response. Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 3–4 sessions.
⏱ 45 min · Every sessionWhen you graduate from active treatment, we provide a written self-management guide, long-term home exercise program, activity modification recommendations, and return-to-sport or work guidelines — so your hip pain stays resolved.
⏱ Final session + written planClinical excellence, direct billing, and same-week access — everything you need to recover faster.
Direct billing to Sun Life, Manulife, Blue Cross, Great-West Life, and more. Our team handles all paperwork so you pay nothing at the time of your visit.
Our registered physiotherapists have advanced training in hip biomechanics, manual therapy, and evidence-based hip rehabilitation — from acute injuries to complex OA and post-surgical care.
Hip pain can't wait. We offer same-week appointments with early morning, evening, and weekend availability — so you start recovering sooner.
Every treatment technique we use has a strong evidence base. We follow current clinical practice guidelines for hip OA, bursitis, labral tears, and post-surgical rehabilitation.
For patients with mobility challenges, post-surgical recovery, or pregnancy, our registered physiotherapists can come to you. At-home physio →
Suite 304, 700 Dorval Drive, Oakville — accessible from Burlington, Mississauga, and the QEW. Free parking. Easy access for all mobility levels.
Everything you need to know about hip pain physiotherapy at RCP Health.
Our hip pain specialists are ready to find the source of your pain and build a treatment plan that delivers lasting relief. Same-week appointments available — no referral needed.
