Hip Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and When to Seek Care

Hip pain can affect how you walk, sit, exercise, sleep, and study. While some people experience pain directly around the hip joint, others may feel discomfort in the groin, outer hip, buttock, thigh, or lower back. The location and pattern of symptoms can provide useful clues, but hip pain can have many different causes and should not be self-diagnosed.

For students, long study sessions, prolonged sitting, screen time, limited movement, and certain activities may contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort. However, not every case of hip pain is caused by posture or sitting, and some conditions require medical assessment.

This guide explains common causes of hip pain, the connection between hip and lower-back pain, how studying can affect the hips, treatment options, when urgent medical care is necessary, and where chiropractic care may fit into an individual treatment plan.

What Is Hip Pain?

Hip pain refers to discomfort felt around the hip joint or the surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other tissues. The hip is a major weight-bearing joint, so problems affecting it can influence everyday movement.

The location of the pain can sometimes provide an indication of where the problem may originate. Pain inside the hip or around the groin is more commonly associated with structures within the hip joint. Pain around the outer hip, upper thigh, or outer buttock may involve surrounding soft tissues. Pain may also be referred from another area, particularly the lower back.

What Causes Hip Pain?

There are many possible causes of hip pain, ranging from temporary muscle irritation to conditions involving the hip joint or lower back.

Muscle Strains and Overuse

Muscles around the hips can become irritated after repetitive activity, sudden movements, sports, running, or a change in exercise intensity. A strain may cause pain, tenderness, stiffness, or discomfort when using the affected muscles.

Overuse can also occur without a single obvious injury. For example, someone who suddenly increases their running distance or begins a new workout routine may develop discomfort because the muscles and surrounding tissues have not adapted to the increased workload.

Hip Flexor Pain

The hip flexors help move the thigh toward the body and play an important role in walking, running, climbing stairs, and getting up from a chair. Hip flexor pain can develop after overuse, sudden movements, or certain sports activities.

Students may also notice stiffness around the front of the hips after spending long periods seated. Sitting keeps the hips in a flexed position, so regularly changing position and incorporating movement into the day can be useful for general musculoskeletal health.

Persistent hip flexor pain, particularly when accompanied by weakness, significant restriction of movement, or a history of injury, should be assessed rather than assumed to be simple tightness.

Bursitis and Tendon Problems

Small fluid-filled sacs called bursae help reduce friction around joints. When one becomes irritated, it can contribute to pain and tenderness around the hip.

Tendons can also become irritated through repetitive loading or overuse. These problems may produce discomfort around the outer hip or upper thigh and can sometimes become more noticeable during walking, climbing stairs, exercise, or lying on the affected side.

Hip Joint Conditions

Problems within the hip joint can also cause pain. Potential causes include osteoarthritis, labral injuries, inflammatory conditions, fractures, and other structural problems.

The symptoms can vary depending on the condition. Some people experience stiffness and restricted movement, while others notice pain during particular activities or weight-bearing movements.

Because different hip conditions can produce similar symptoms, persistent pain should not automatically be attributed to exercise, posture, or prolonged sitting.

Nerve and Lower Back Problems

One of the most important reasons that hip pain can be difficult to identify is that symptoms may originate outside the hip itself.

Problems involving the lower back can produce referred pain around the hip, buttock, or leg. Sciatic nerve irritation can also create symptoms extending from the lower back into the buttock and leg.

This means that lower back pain and hip pain may occur together even when the primary source of symptoms is not the hip joint. Mayo Clinic also notes that conditions affecting the lower back can cause referred hip pain.

Can Sitting and Studying Cause Hip Pain?

Yes, prolonged sitting while studying can contribute to hip discomfort, particularly when a student remains in the same position for several hours without regular movement. Sitting keeps the hips flexed for an extended period and may contribute to stiffness around the hip flexors and surrounding muscles. Studying on a laptop, sitting on a sofa or bed, and spending long periods in one position may also increase discomfort around the hips and lower back. However, sitting should not automatically be considered the sole cause of persistent hip pain, as joint, tendon, muscle, or lower-back problems can produce similar symptoms.

Students can reduce the strain associated with long study sessions by changing positions regularly and incorporating short movement breaks throughout the day. A comfortable chair, an appropriate desk and screen height, and regular walking or physical activity can also support healthy movement. Rather than trying to maintain one “perfect” posture throughout the entire study session, it is generally more practical to combine comfortable positioning with frequent movement and variation. If hip pain continues, becomes severe, or begins to interfere with studying, exercise, sleep, or normal movement, an appropriate healthcare assessment can help identify the underlying cause.

What Is the Connection Between Lower Back Pain and Hip Pain?

Lower back pain and hip pain can occur together because the lower back, pelvis, and hips work closely during everyday movements such as sitting, walking, bending, and standing. The source of pain may be the hip itself, the lower back, or the muscles and soft tissues surrounding these areas. Key factors to consider include:

• Lower back pain can be felt around the hip: Some problems affecting the lumbar spine can cause referred pain that is felt around the buttocks or hip, even when the hip joint itself is not the primary source.
• Hip pain can affect the lower back: When hip movement is painful or restricted, a person may unconsciously change the way they walk, sit, or distribute their weight. Over time, this may place additional demands on the lower back.
• Nerve-related symptoms can affect both areas: Lower back problems involving nerve irritation may cause pain that travels into the buttocks or leg. Tingling, numbness, or weakness may also occur and should be appropriately assessed.
• The location of pain can provide clues: Pain felt mainly inside the hip or around the groin may be more suggestive of a hip-related problem, while pain that begins in the lower back and travels toward the buttock or leg may be associated with the back or nerves. However, pain location alone cannot confirm the underlying cause.
• Prolonged sitting may aggravate symptoms: Spending several hours sitting while studying or working can contribute to stiffness and discomfort in the lower back and hips, particularly when combined with limited movement and frequent computer or phone use.
• More than one problem can occur at the same time: Some people may have both hip and lower back problems, making a comprehensive assessment important rather than focusing only on where the pain is felt.
• Other symptoms are important: Severe weakness, progressive numbness, difficulty walking, or loss of bladder or bowel control alongside lower back and hip pain requires urgent medical assessment.
• An assessment can help identify the source: A healthcare professional can evaluate hip and lower-back movement, muscle strength, range of motion, pain patterns, and neurological symptoms to determine the most appropriate next step, which may include conservative care, exercise-based rehabilitation, chiropractic care, or further medical evaluation.

How Can You Tell Whether Pain Is Coming From the Hip or Back?

Some patterns can provide clues:

These patterns are not a substitute for an examination. A qualified healthcare professional can determine whether further evaluation is necessary.

How Is Hip Pain Diagnosed?

A proper assessment begins with a detailed history. A practitioner may ask when the pain began, whether there was an injury, what activities make it worse, whether you spend long periods sitting, and whether symptoms extend into the back or leg.

A physical assessment may include observing movement, examining hip and spinal mobility, checking strength, and considering neurological symptoms where appropriate.

Imaging is not automatically required for every person with hip pain. Whether an X-ray, MRI, or another investigation is appropriate depends on the symptoms, medical history, physical findings, and suspected cause.

How Can Hip Pain Be Treated?

Treatment for hip pain depends on its underlying cause, how severe the symptoms are, and how they affect movement and daily activities. There is no single treatment that is appropriate for every type of hip pain. Common approaches may include:

Activity Modification

One of the first steps in managing hip pain is identifying and temporarily reducing activities that aggravate the symptoms. This may include running, jumping, heavy lifting, or specific movements that increase discomfort. However, complete rest is not always necessary. Maintaining gentle, comfortable movement can help prevent stiffness while allowing irritated tissues to recover. The appropriate level of activity depends on the underlying cause and severity of the pain.

Exercise and Rehabilitation

A tailored exercise and rehabilitation program can help improve hip strength, flexibility, mobility, and movement control. Depending on the cause of the pain, exercises may target the hip muscles, glutes, core, or surrounding structures. Rehabilitation should be gradually progressed and adapted to the individual’s symptoms rather than continuing exercises that significantly increase pain. A qualified professional can help determine which exercises are appropriate.

Movement Breaks

For students and people who spend long periods studying or working at a desk, regular movement breaks can help reduce stiffness associated with prolonged sitting. Standing up, walking for a few minutes, changing positions, or performing gentle movements throughout the day can reduce the amount of time spent in one position. These habits can be particularly useful when hip discomfort is associated with prolonged sitting.

Pain-Relief Measures

Depending on the underlying cause, different pain-relief strategies may be appropriate. Some people may benefit from temporary measures such as ice or heat, while a healthcare professional may recommend medication when appropriate. The choice of medication should take into account the person’s medical history, allergies, existing conditions, and other medicines they may be taking rather than relying on self-treatment.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care may be considered as part of a broader approach for certain musculoskeletal causes of hip pain, particularly when symptoms occur alongside lower back discomfort or movement-related problems. A chiropractor can assess the hip, pelvis, lower back, movement patterns, and surrounding muscles before determining whether techniques such as mobilisation, manual therapy, or other approaches are appropriate. Chiropractic treatment should be individualised rather than assumed to be suitable for every cause of hip pain.

Medical Treatment

Some causes of hip pain require medical treatment rather than conservative care alone. Significant injuries, fractures, advanced joint conditions, infections, inflammatory problems, or certain neurological symptoms may require medical evaluation, imaging, specialist referral, medication, or other interventions. Identifying the underlying cause is therefore important before deciding on a treatment approach.

Can a Chiropractor Help With Hip Pain?

A chiropractor may assess the hip, pelvis, lower back, movement patterns, and surrounding musculoskeletal structures to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

For a student, the assessment may also consider study habits, prolonged sitting, screen use, exercise, previous injuries, and how symptoms affect daily activities.

Depending on the individual presentation, care may include manual therapy, mobilisation or manipulation where appropriate, movement advice, exercise recommendations, and strategies for managing daily activities.

The important point is that chiropractic care should not be presented as a universal treatment for every cause of hip pain. If symptoms suggest a fracture, infection, serious neurological problem, or another condition requiring medical management, referral to the appropriate healthcare professional is more appropriate.

Why Choose Wave Chiropractic & Wellness for Hip and Musculoskeletal Care?

Wave Chiropractic & Wellness provides personalised chiropractic care for individuals and families, with services that include lower-back pain and sciatica, chronic pain, and posture correction. The clinic states that its treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and that its approach focuses on movement, pain management, and long-term wellbeing.

For students experiencing hip discomfort alongside prolonged sitting, lower-back symptoms, or movement-related problems, an individual assessment can help determine what may be contributing to the symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate. Wave Chiropractic & Wellness has a Toowoomba location at 2/125 Anzac Ave, Newtown QLD 4350, providing local access to chiropractic care in Toowoomba.

The goal should not simply be to treat a painful area, but to understand the individual’s symptoms, lifestyle, movement patterns, and health needs before developing an appropriate care plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Pain

What is the most common cause of hip pain?

Hip pain has many possible causes, including muscle strains, tendon problems, bursitis, joint conditions, injuries, arthritis, and referred pain from the lower back. The most likely cause depends on the person’s symptoms, age, activity level, medical history, and physical examination.

Why does my hip hurt after sitting for a long time?

Prolonged sitting can leave the hips in one position for an extended period and may contribute to stiffness or discomfort. However, persistent hip pain should not automatically be blamed on sitting because joint, muscular, tendon, and lower-back conditions can also produce symptoms.

Can sitting cause hip flexor pain?

Long periods of sitting may contribute to stiffness around the hip flexors, particularly when combined with limited movement. Hip flexor pain can also result from overuse, sports, sudden movements, or strain, so persistent symptoms should be assessed.

Why do I have hip and lower back pain at the same time?

Hip and lower back pain can occur together because the two regions work closely during movement. Lower-back problems can also cause referred pain around the hip or buttock. An assessment can help determine whether the primary source is the hip, spine, surrounding tissues, or a combination.

What does pain inside the hip usually mean?

Pain inside the hip or around the groin can be associated with structures within the hip joint. However, this symptom alone cannot identify the exact cause. A healthcare professional should assess persistent, severe, or function-limiting pain.

Can a chiropractor help with hip pain?

A chiropractor may be able to help with some musculoskeletal presentations involving hip or lower-back discomfort. Treatment should be based on an individual assessment, and chiropractic care is not appropriate for every cause of hip pain.

Is chiropractic care safe for students?

Chiropractic treatment can be appropriate for some people when performed by a trained practitioner following an appropriate assessment. Temporary soreness, stiffness, headache, or increased discomfort can occur after spinal manipulation. People should discuss their health conditions and medications with their practitioner beforehand.

When should hip pain be treated as an emergency?

Urgent medical attention is appropriate after significant trauma, when a person cannot bear weight or move the leg, or when severe pain, sudden swelling, deformity, fever, neurological symptoms, severe weakness, or bowel and bladder changes are present.

Should I see a chiropractor or doctor for hip pain?

It depends on the symptoms and suspected cause. Musculoskeletal symptoms may be suitable for chiropractic assessment, while severe, traumatic, systemic, or neurological symptoms may require medical evaluation first.

How can students prevent hip pain while studying?

Students can reduce prolonged static positioning by taking regular movement breaks, changing positions, maintaining a comfortable study setup, staying physically active, and avoiding long uninterrupted periods of sitting.

Conclusion

Hip pain can have many different causes, and understanding where the discomfort occurs and what triggers it can provide useful information. Pain may originate from the hip joint, muscles, tendons, or surrounding tissues, while lower back problems can sometimes create referred pain around the hip.

For students, prolonged sitting, studying, screen time, and reduced movement can contribute to stiffness and musculoskeletal discomfort, but they should not automatically be considered the cause of persistent pain. Regular movement, a comfortable study environment, and appropriate physical activity can support better musculoskeletal health.

If hip pain continues, interferes with studying or daily activities, or occurs alongside lower-back symptoms, an individual assessment can help identify the most appropriate next step. Chiropractic care may form part of a broader approach for selected musculoskeletal problems, but serious or unexplained symptoms should receive appropriate medical evaluation first.

References

1. Mayo Clinic. Hip Pain: Causes.
   Mayo Clinic – Hip Pain
2. NHS. Hip Pain in Adults.
   NHS – Hip Pain
3. Cleveland Clinic. Hip Pain: Causes and Treatment.
   Cleveland Clinic – Hip Pain
4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain.
   NCCIH – Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain