Hip Pain Chiropractor Kings Park | Kings Park Chiropractic

Understanding Your Pain

What Is Hip Pain?

This page is for you if you live in Kings Park, Blacktown, or the surrounding suburbs and are dealing with deep groin ache, pain on the outside of your hip, stiffness getting out of a chair, or a niggle that flares when you walk or climb stairs — and you want to understand what’s driving it before deciding on treatment.

Hip pain is deceptively complex. The hip is a deep ball-and-socket joint surrounded by some of the strongest muscles in the body, and pain felt “in the hip” can come from the joint itself, the surrounding tendons and bursae, or be referred from the lower back. Working out exactly where your pain is coming from is the single most important step — and it changes everything about how it’s treated.

Causes range from short-lived muscle strain to longer-standing problems like osteoarthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, or a labral tear. Some hip pain that patients assume is “their hip” is in fact sciatica or referred lower back pain travelling into the buttock and thigh.

At Kings Park Chiropractic, Dr. Brian Sin (M.Chiro, Grad Dip Chiro, DACCP) carries out a thorough assessment to pinpoint the true source of your hip pain before any treatment begins.

Last reviewed by Dr. Brian Sin (M.Chiro, Grad Dip Chiro, DACCP) — June 2026.

8.3% of Australians live with osteoarthritis — a leading cause of chronic hip pain

+171% rise in hip osteoarthritis in Australia between 1990 and 2019

81% of hip OA patients improved after a manual therapy program in a landmark trial

30% of Australians aged 75+ live with osteoarthritis — prevalence climbs steeply with age

Man holding his hip in pain seeking chiropractic treatment in Blacktown

Symptoms

Do You Recognise These Signs?

Hip pain presents differently depending on which structure is involved — and where you feel it is an important clue. Here are the most common patterns we see at Kings Park Chiropractic.

Deep groin pain An ache felt in the front of the hip or groin — often a sign the pain is coming from the joint itself

Outer hip pain Tenderness on the side of the hip, often worse lying on that side at night — typical of gluteal tendinopathy

Stiffness & reduced range Difficulty putting on shoes and socks, getting in and out of the car, or crossing your legs

Pain with weight-bearing A dull ache that builds when walking, standing, or climbing stairs and eases with rest

Clicking or catching A clicking, catching, or locking sensation with movement — sometimes linked to a labral or impingement issue

Pain into the buttock or thigh Aching spreading into the buttock or down the thigh — which may point to a lower-back or nerve source

⚠️ Seek urgent care if hip pain follows a fall and you can’t bear weight, if your leg looks shortened or rotated, or if hip pain comes with fever, redness, or feeling generally unwell — these can signal a fracture or joint infection.

Causes

What’s Causing Your Hip Pain?

Because so many structures sit around the hip, the cause is rarely obvious from the pain alone. Some “hip” pain is actually referred from the spine. Here are the most common causes we assess and treat at Kings Park Chiropractic.

Chiropractor Dr Brian Sin assessing a patient's hip range of motion at Kings Park Chiropractic near Blacktown

1

Hip Osteoarthritis Gradual wear of the cartilage in the hip joint causing groin pain, stiffness, and reduced range — the most common chronic cause, especially from the 50s onwards.

2

Gluteal Tendinopathy & Bursitis Irritation of the gluteal tendons and bursa on the outside of the hip — the leading cause of lateral hip pain, often worse lying on that side.

3

Hip Labral Tear A tear in the ring of cartilage around the socket, causing groin pain, clicking, or catching — common in active and younger adults.

4

Femoroacetabular Impingement Extra bone growth (FAI) causes the hip bones to pinch during movement, leading to groin pain and stiffness with deep bending or squatting.

5

Referred Spinal Pain Problems in the lower back or sacroiliac joint frequently refer pain into the hip and buttock — pain many patients mistake for a “hip problem”.

6

Muscle Strain Strains of the hip flexors, adductors (groin), or hamstring origin from sport, overload, or a sudden movement — common in runners and weekend athletes.

7

Piriformis & Deep Glutes Tightness or trigger points in the deep buttock muscles can cause hip and buttock pain and occasionally irritate the nearby sciatic nerve.

8

Postural & Biomechanical Overload Gait imbalances, leg-length differences, weak hip stabilisers, and prolonged sitting that overload the hip over time and drive recurring pain.

Our Approach

How Chiropractic Helps Hip Pain

Chiropractic care for hip pain starts by identifying whether the pain is from the hip joint, the surrounding soft tissue, or referred from the spine — then targets the right structure to restore movement and reduce pain, rather than masking it.

1

Differential Assessment A structured examination of the hip, pelvis, and lower back to separate true hip-joint pain from gluteal tendinopathy and referred spinal pain — the step that decides everything else.

2

Joint Mobilisation & Manipulation Controlled mobilisation of the hip joint and, where relevant, the lower back and sacroiliac joint to restore range of motion and ease load through the painful structures.

3

Soft Tissue Therapy & Dry Needling Targeted release of the glutes, hip flexors, and deep buttock muscles, with dry needling for stubborn trigger points contributing to tendon and joint pain.

4

Strengthening & Load Management A progressive home exercise plan to strengthen the hip stabilisers, plus practical advice on activity, footwear, and sitting to stop the pain coming back.

A landmark randomised trial of 109 hip osteoarthritis patients (Hoeksma et al., 2004) found an 81% success rate with a manual therapy program versus 50% with exercise alone, with benefits on pain and function lasting beyond six months. A 2022 JOSPT systematic review and meta-analysis supports adding manual therapy to exercise for hip and knee OA, while the AIHW reports osteoarthritis affects around 2.1 million Australians.

Chiropractor performing a hands-on hip mobilisation for hip pain treatment at Kings Park Chiropractic near Blacktown

Safety & Evidence

Is Chiropractic Care for Hip Pain Safe?

Yes — chiropractic care for hip pain is safe and gentle when it follows a thorough assessment. Hip and lower-back mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and exercise are low-risk treatments, and serious adverse events are rare.

At Kings Park Chiropractic, Dr. Brian Sin (M.Chiro, Grad Dip Chiro, DACCP) takes a full health history and examines the hip, pelvis, and spine before any treatment begins. Conditions that need referral rather than hands-on care — such as a suspected fracture, advanced arthritis needing surgical review, or signs of infection — are screened for systematically. Dr. Brian holds a Master of Chiropractic from Macquarie University and is registered with AHPRA.

Treatment is always matched to your diagnosis, your age, and how irritable your hip is on the day.

What does treatment actually involve? Most hip pain is treated with gentle joint mobilisation, hands-on soft tissue work, dry needling, and a tailored exercise plan. There’s no forceful “cracking” of the hip joint — the approach is matched to what your assessment shows.

Can chiropractic fix hip arthritis? Chiropractic care can’t reverse cartilage loss, but it can meaningfully reduce pain and improve movement and function in many people with hip osteoarthritis — and it may help you delay or avoid surgery. Advanced arthritis is co-managed with your GP or specialist.

When should hip pain be referred for imaging? If your pain is severe, follows significant trauma, is steadily worsening, comes with fever, or isn’t responding to care, Dr. Brian will arrange or recommend imaging and refer on where appropriate. Safe care means knowing when not to treat.

New Patients

What to Expect at Your First Visit

1

Health History Where exactly it hurts, how it started, what makes it better or worse, and your general health and activity history.

2

Hip & Spine Assessment Range of motion, gait, hip-specific orthopaedic tests, and a lower-back screen to find the true source of your pain.

3

Diagnosis & Plan Dr. Brian explains his findings in plain language and outlines a realistic care plan — no jargon, no open-ended commitments.

4

First Treatment In most cases hands-on treatment begins in the first session, subject to assessment findings.

✅ Your first appointment runs approximately 30 minutes. No GP referral needed. If you have recent scans, X-rays, or an MRI of the hip or lower back — bring them along. Helpful but not essential.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a chiropractor help hip pain?+

Yes, for many causes of hip pain. Chiropractic care can help with hip osteoarthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, muscle and joint problems, and hip pain that’s actually referred from the lower back. The first step is a proper assessment to confirm where the pain is coming from — treatment then targets that specific structure with mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, and exercise.

Is my hip pain coming from my hip or my back?+

This is one of the most important questions in hip pain — and a very common one. As a general guide, pain felt deep in the groin tends to come from the hip joint, while pain in the buttock or down the back of the thigh more often comes from the lower back or sacroiliac joint. But there’s a lot of overlap, which is why a hands-on assessment of both the hip and the spine is essential before treatment.

How many sessions will I need for hip pain?+

A simple muscle strain or recent flare often responds in a handful of visits. Longer-standing problems like hip osteoarthritis or gluteal tendinopathy usually need a more gradual plan combining hands-on treatment with strengthening. Dr. Brian will give you a realistic timeframe after your first assessment — no vague open-ended commitments.

Can chiropractic help pain on the outside of my hip?+

Pain on the outside of the hip — often worse when lying on that side — is usually gluteal tendinopathy (sometimes called trochanteric bursitis). It responds well to a combination of load management, targeted strengthening, soft tissue therapy, and dry needling. Steroid injections often give only short-term relief, so an exercise-based approach is now considered the better long-term option.

Will chiropractic help hip arthritis, or do I need surgery?+

Most people with hip osteoarthritis do not need surgery. Conservative care — manual therapy and exercise — is recommended first-line by Australian guidelines and can reduce pain and improve function. A landmark trial found a manual therapy program produced an 81% improvement rate in hip OA. Joint replacement is reserved for advanced cases, and Dr. Brian will refer you for a surgical opinion if and when that’s appropriate.

Do I need a scan or referral before seeing a chiropractor for hip pain?+

No — you can book directly without a GP referral or a scan. Most hip pain is diagnosed clinically from your history and examination. If imaging is needed, Dr. Brian will arrange or recommend it. If you’re attending under a Medicare EPC plan, Workers’ Compensation (SIRA), CTP, or DVA, a referral will be required — call us and we’ll guide you through it.

Still have questions?

We’re happy to answer anything before you book. Call us or book online — same-day appointments are often available.

(02) 9837 5161

Mon–Fri 8am–7pm · Sat 8am–3pm · Sun 8am–1pm

36 Donohue Street, Kings Park NSW 2148

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Why Choose Us

Why Kings Park Chiropractic?

Postgraduate Qualified Dr. Brian holds a Diplomate of the Australian College of Chiropractic Paediatrics (DACCP) — a postgraduate qualification in chiropractic care for infants, children and adolescents.

Open 7 Days Including Sunday Mon–Fri 8am–7pm · Sat 8am–3pm · Sun 8am–1pm. Open 7 days so you can book around work, school and weekends.

All Health Funds HICAPS on-site for instant rebates. We accept all private health funds, plus Medicare EPC, Workers’ Compensation (SIRA), CTP and DVA.

Paediatric & Family Care Qualified to treat patients from newborns to seniors — one clinic for the whole family in Kings Park.

Same-Day Appointments In pain now? Same-day appointments are often available. Book online or call us directly.

No Referral Needed Book directly without a GP referral. We see you when you need it — call us or book online anytime.

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