Hip pain is extremely common and can originate from the joint, tendons, ligaments, or surrounding soft tissues. At North Shore Physiotherapy, we treat conditions such as hip osteoarthritis, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), hip dysplasia, tendinopathies, hamstring strains, and groin injuries. Research consistently shows physiotherapy improves pain, mobility, and function, often reducing the need for injections or surgery. With expertise in hip assessment and management, we provide individualised treatment plans combining manual therapy, targeted strengthening, and evidence-based rehabilitation to restore movement and improve quality of life.
The hip is the deepest and one of the most stable joints in the human body. Its ball-and-socket structure, reinforced by strong ligaments, a thick joint capsule, and extensive musculature, enables powerful movement while absorbing large loads during daily activities and sport.
Despite this stability, hip pain is very common and can present in many different areas, including:
Because so many structures work together to create hip function, getting an accurate diagnosis is essential. At North Shore Physiotherapy, our clinicians specialise in complex hip assessment and use research-driven rehabilitation strategies to help you return to the activities you love — safely and confidently.
Hip pain can arise from both the joint itself and surrounding soft tissues. Below are the most common presentations we treat.
Hip osteoarthritis involves gradual wear of the joint cartilage leading to stiffness, reduced range of motion, pain during weight-bearing, and difficulty performing everyday tasks such as walking or climbing stairs.
Symptoms often include:
Physiotherapy is strongly recommended as a first-line treatment and has been shown to significantly improve pain and mobility without relying on surgery.
FAI occurs when the ball and socket of the hip do not fit together perfectly, causing abnormal contact during movement. This can lead to:
FAI is common in active adolescents and young adults, especially those participating in sports requiring repeated hip flexion such as football, hockey, and dance.
Research has suggested that 8 physiotherapy sessions over 12 weeks consisting of hip joint manual therapy, specific strengthening exercises targeted to the individual participant’s physical impairments had moderate to large effects at reducing pain and disability.
Hip dysplasia refers to a shallow hip socket that provides less coverage for the femoral head. This reduces joint stability and increases the load on cartilage and surrounding structures.
Patients may experience:
Physiotherapy plays an important role in strengthening the hip muscles to provide additional stability and improve functional capacity.
One of the most common causes of outer hip pain, especially in women over 40. It typically affects the gluteus medius and minimus tendons.
Symptoms include:
Research supports a graded strengthening programme for the gluteal muscles, which has been shown to lead to significantly lower pain and better long-term outcomes than corticosteroid injections or control groups at both 8 weeks and 1 year. For more information please see our blog on Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).
The iliopsoas is a deep hip flexor muscle that can become irritated from overuse, repetitive hip flexion, or rapid changes in training load.
Patients often experience:
A combination of strengthening, load management, and mobility work is typically effective.
This condition causes pain at the top of the hamstring where it attaches to the pelvis. It is especially common in runners, field sport athletes, and individuals who sit for long periods.
Symptoms include:
Targeted strengthening and gradual loading form the foundation of recovery.
Very common in football, rugby, hockey, and multi-directional sports. Caused by sudden changes in direction or overstretching.
Often occurring during sprinting, kicking, or rapid acceleration.
Physiotherapy addresses the underlying strength deficits, movement patterns, and flexibility impairments that predispose athletes to injury.
Physiotherapy has been consistently proven to reduce pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life for patients with hip conditions.
At North Shore Physiotherapy, your treatment is fully individualised to your goals, diagnosis, and lifestyle. A typical programme may include:
From hip osteoarthritis and impingement to gluteal tendinopathy and sports injuries, we combine advanced hip assessment with gym-based rehabilitation in Takapuna so you can move with strength and confidence again.
Complete rest is rarely recommended. Guided strengthening and movement typically improve hip pain faster and more effectively.
Not always. Most hip conditions can be diagnosed clinically. Imaging may be recommended if symptoms persist or if surgery is being considered.
Yes. Research shows physiotherapy significantly improves pain, mobility, and function, often delaying or avoiding the need for surgery.
Tendinopathy: 16+ weeks Osteoarthritis: ongoing management for long-term improvement Sports strains: 3–8 weeks depending on severity
Absolutely. We work with recreational and competitive athletes across a wide variety of sports.
If hip pain affects your walking, sleep, work, or sport, or if it’s not improving within 1–2 weeks, an assessment is recommended.
Whether you’re dealing with pain, recovering from injury or preparing for surgery, we’re here to help you get back to doing what you love.
