Avoid the aggravating positions
Side-sleeping on the painful side, deep squatting, crossing legs, and prolonged sitting often aggravate hip pain. Modify them during a flare.
Condition
Hip Pain Relief in Gaithersburg, MD
Personalized Chiropractic, Soft Tissue, and Rehab Care That Aims to Reduce Pain and Improve Wellbeing
Walk, sit, and sleep without that nagging hip pain — or the sharp pain you can't shake.
Most hip pain has a low back, SI joint, or glute component. We assess all of it and combine chiropractic, soft tissue, dry needling, and rehab under one roof.
The short version
Hip pain — whether it's lateral hip pain, deep groin pain, or the side of the hip — is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed musculoskeletal conditions. Most lateral hip pain isn't bursitis (true bursitis is only about 2% of cases) — it's gluteal tendinopathy and SI joint dysfunction. At Potomac Valley Chiropractic in Gaithersburg, we identify the actual driver and combine chiropractic, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, and rehab for results that last.
Understanding it
What is hip pain?
Hip pain is often a low back, SI joint, or glute mechanics issue showing up at the hip. We assess all of it and build a real plan to resolve it.
Hip pain describes discomfort in or around the hip — but where the pain is felt matters enormously, because it points to different drivers. Lateral hip pain (the side) is usually different from groin pain (the front) which is different from posterior hip pain (the back). Each pattern has different causes and responds to different treatment.
Most hip pain in working-age adults is mechanical and not from the joint itself. It comes from the muscles around the hip (glutes, hip flexors, IT band), the SI joint at the base of the spine, the low back referring pain, or tendons (especially the gluteal tendons). True hip-joint problems like hip arthritis or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) are less common but important to identify.
Identifying the actual driver — and where the low back, SI joint, and glute mechanics are contributing — is what makes treatment effective.
- Lateral hip pain — usually gluteal tendinopathy or greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS)
- Groin pain — often hip joint, hip flexor, or labrum-related
- Posterior hip pain — often SI joint, low back, or deep glute (piriformis) related
- Hip arthritis — joint surface wear, more common in older adults
- FAI (femoroacetabular impingement) — pinching pattern from hip joint anatomy, common in active younger adults
Is this what you're feeling?
Common hip pain symptoms
If any of these sound familiar, you're not alone — and hip pain usually responds well to the right plan.
Pain on the side of the hip — especially lying on that side
Classic gluteal tendinopathy / GTPS pattern. Often described as a deep, achy pain that disturbs sleep.
Groin pain that worsens with hip flexion
Often suggests hip joint involvement (arthritis, FAI, or labral issue) — needs careful evaluation.
Deep buttock pain with sitting or walking
Often piriformis-related or deep glute trigger points — sometimes overlaps with sciatic patterns.
Stiffness in the morning that eases with movement
Common with hip arthritis and joint-related issues. Usually responds well to mobility and loading work.
Pain on the back of the hip, near the SI joint
Often SI joint dysfunction or low back referral — worth assessing the low back together.
Catching, pinching, or 'C-sign' grabbing the hip
Patients with FAI or labrum issues often grab their hip in a 'C' shape to describe the pain location.
Limping or favoring one leg
Suggests the hip mechanics are significantly affected — and warrants a careful assessment of strength and stability.
Pain getting in/out of the car or up from a chair
Common with hip arthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, or SI joint dysfunction — usually a mechanical driver we can address.
Causes and risk factors
What commonly causes hip pain
Knowing what's contributing to your hip pain is the first step toward a plan that actually works.
Gluteal tendinopathy (the real cause of most 'hip bursitis')
What's often called 'hip bursitis' is usually gluteal tendinopathy — irritation of the gluteus medius and minimus tendons. True isolated bursitis is rare (about 2% of cases).
Weak hips and core
Weak glute medius, weak deep core, and poor pelvic control lead to compensations that drive lateral hip and SI joint pain.
SI joint dysfunction
The sacroiliac joint can refer pain into the buttock, lateral hip, or even down the back of the leg — often mistaken for sciatica or hip-joint pain.
Low back contributions
Lumbar joint or disc issues frequently refer pain into the hip region — we assess both during the same exam.
Hip arthritis (osteoarthritis)
Joint surface wear that becomes more common after age 45 — usually presents with groin pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
A pinching pattern from hip joint anatomy — common in active younger adults, athletes, and people who squat deeply.
Sudden activity changes or overload
Ramping up running, returning to squatting, or starting hill walks too quickly are common triggers.
Pregnancy and postpartum changes
Hormonal changes, shifting weight distribution, pelvic widening, and altered mechanics during and after pregnancy drive many hip-related complaints.
Safety first
When to seek emergency care instead
Most cases respond well to effective care — but a small number of symptoms warrant an emergency-room visit, not a chiropractic appointment. If you have any of the signs below, call 911 or go to your nearest ER.
Inability to bear weight after a fall or injury
Could indicate a hip fracture — especially in older adults. Go to the ER immediately.
Severe pain with fever, redness, and warmth
Could indicate a joint infection (septic arthritis) or deep tissue infection — a medical emergency. Go to the ER.
Hip pain with significant unexplained weight loss
Warrants a medical workup for systemic causes before effective care.
Sudden onset of severe hip pain after major trauma
Rule out fracture or significant soft-tissue injury at urgent care or the ER before any effective care.
Hip pain with loss of bowel/bladder control or saddle numbness
Sign of possible cauda equina syndrome — a true neurosurgical emergency. Go to the ER immediately.
Hip pain with significant deformity or shortened leg
Could indicate hip dislocation or fracture — go to the ER immediately.
What you can do today
At-home self-care while you wait for your visit
Simple, evidence-based steps you can take today to feel better while we get you in. None of these replace a full evaluation, but they're a smart starting point for most hip pain flare-ups.
Try side-sleeping with a pillow between your knees
For most hip pain, this position dramatically reduces pressure on the lateral hip and SI joint at night.
Use ice for sharp pain, heat for stiffness
Ice 15–20 minutes for acute sharp pain or overload. Heat for chronic stiffness or before activity.
Strengthen the glutes
Side-lying leg raises, clamshells, and hip bridges (start with 2–3 sets of 10–15) often help even when the pain isn't obviously glute-related.
Move every 30 minutes during a flare
Sitting compresses the lateral hip and stiffens the hip flexors. Get up briefly every 30 minutes during a flare-up.
Avoid extended bed rest
Prolonged rest typically worsens hip pain. Stay active in ways that don't reproduce sharp pain.
Imaging guidance
When imaging may be useful
Imaging is a tool, not a default. Your doctor will discuss whether it's appropriate for your specific situation during the exam.
Clinical guidelines do not recommend X-rays or MRI in the first few weeks for most non-traumatic hip pain. Imaging often shows mild arthritic changes or incidental findings that exist in many adults without any hip pain — and treating those findings instead of the actual driver often doesn't help.
Imaging becomes appropriate after a traumatic injury, when red-flag signs appear, when symptoms haven't responded to 4–6 weeks of effective care, or when surgical consultation is being considered. Your doctor will discuss whether imaging makes sense for your specific situation.
- X-rays may be useful after trauma, to evaluate alignment, or to assess for hip arthritis
- MRI may be useful when there's a suspected labral injury, stress fracture, or when effective care hasn't helped
- We don't recommend imaging just to 'see what's going on' — incidental findings are common in hips and rarely match the pain pattern perfectly
Your recovery
What to expect — and how long hip pain usually takes to heal
Most patients want a realistic timeline — not a sales pitch. Here's what the research and our 25+ years of clinical experience tell us.
Most non-traumatic hip pain — including most cases of greater trochanteric pain syndrome and gluteal tendinopathy — responds extremely well to effective care. One review found a 90%+ success rate for GTPS with effective non-surgical care.
Hip arthritis is a chronic condition, but effective care produces meaningful improvement in pain, function, and quality of life for the vast majority of patients. Many patients who thought they were 'heading toward hip replacement' do significantly better with a real plan.
Recurrence is the main long-term challenge. Without addressing underlying mechanics (glute strength, core stability, low back function), hip pain tends to return. Our care plans address all of it.
Phase 1
Visit 1–3: Calm the flare-up, identify the driver
Reduce sharp pain and inflammation, restore basic movement, and identify whether the driver is gluteal tendinopathy, SI joint, low back, or hip joint.
Phase 2
Weeks 2–6: Restore movement and mechanics
Chiropractic for the SI joint, lumbar spine, and hip, soft tissue work for the glutes and TFL, and movement coaching for sit-to-stand, gait, and squat mechanics.
Phase 3
Weeks 6–12: Build strength and return to activity
Progressive glute, hip, and core strength. Return to walking, running, sports, or work demands.
Phase 4
Long-term: Maintenance and prevention
Most patients graduate or step down to as-needed care. Some choose periodic maintenance, especially during high-activity seasons.
Our approach
How we help patients with hip pain at Potomac Valley Chiropractic
Every patient starts with a personalized exam and a plain-language explanation of what we found. From there, we build a plan around your symptoms, your goals, and the activities you want to get back to.
An exam that includes the low back, SI joint, and glute mechanics — not just the hip
Treating just the hip rarely works long-term, because so much hip pain is actually being driven from above (lumbar spine and SI joint) or from the glute and core mechanics around it. Our exam covers all of it.
Combined care under one roof
Most hip pain responds best to a combination of approaches — and we deliver chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, cupping, and progressive rehab without needing referrals.
- Chiropractic care for the lumbar spine, SI joint, and hip — addressing the joint mechanics driving the symptoms
- Soft tissue therapy for the glutes, TFL, hip flexors, and IT band
- Dry needling for stubborn glute and piriformis trigger points
- Cupping for broad release across the hip, low back, and glutes
- Therapeutic exercise to rebuild glute, hip, and core strength
- Movement coaching for sit-to-stand, gait, squats, and sport-specific patterns
Honest progress checks tied to your goals
We measure progress against the things you actually care about — your walking, your sleep, your stairs, your activities. We track visit-by-visit and adjust based on response.
Treatment options
Treatment options for hip pain we offer under one roof
Most patients get better faster when treatments are combined — instead of trying one approach at a time and hoping for the best.
Chiropractic Care
Lumbar, SI joint, and hip adjustments to address the joint mechanics driving most hip pain.
Learn more →Soft Tissue Therapy
Targeted myofascial work for the glutes, TFL, hip flexors, and IT band that drive most mechanical hip pain.
Learn more →Dry Needling
Precision needle release for stubborn glute and piriformis trigger points that other treatments can't reach.
Learn more →Cupping Therapy
Modern cupping for broad release across the hip, low back, and glute region.
Learn more →Therapeutic Exercise
Glute, hip, and core strength training — the foundation of long-term hip health.
Learn more →Rehabilitation Care
Movement-focused rehab for return to walking, running, sports, or work demands without re-injury.
Learn more →What the research says
What the research says about hip pain
Verified national and peer-reviewed data on hip pain — so you understand what you're dealing with and why the plan we recommend actually works.
15% women, 6.6% men with lateral hip pain
of community-dwelling adults have unilateral greater trochanteric pain syndrome — and rates climb further when bilateral cases are included.
Source: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Epidemiology and Associated Factors (NIH/PMC) (2010)
90%+ non-surgical success rate
for greater trochanteric pain syndrome — making effective care the gold-standard first-line treatment per current peer-reviewed literature.
Source: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome — StatPearls (NIH) (2024)
~2 in 3 with co-existing back pain
or hip osteoarthritis — meaning hip pain is rarely an isolated issue and usually overlaps with low back or joint contributors that need to be addressed together.
Source: Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma — Management of GTPS (2015)
Isolated bursitis = 2%
Only about 2% of patients with refractory lateral hip pain actually have isolated trochanteric bursitis. Roughly 70% have gluteal tendinopathy — which is treated very differently.
Source: Dr. Alison Grimaldi — Prevalence of Isolated Trochanteric Bursitis (2021)
~1.8 cases per 1000 per year
is the population incidence of greater trochanteric pain — with women affected significantly more often than men, per Johns Hopkins-affiliated research.
Source: Johns Hopkins Pure — GTPS Anatomy, Diagnosis, and Management (2023)
Pregnancy and postpartum
If you're pregnant or postpartum
Hip and SI joint pain are very common during pregnancy as relaxin hormones loosen the pelvic ligaments and weight distribution shifts. Our doctors use pregnancy-appropriate techniques, modified table positioning, and gentle adjusting to provide safe, effective care.
Postpartum hip pain often relates to lingering pelvic mechanics, weakened glute and core muscles, and the physical demands of caring for a new baby. We address all of it within a realistic care plan that fits new-parent life.
Real patients, real results
What patients say about getting out of hip pain
Verified word-for-word reviews from our Google Business Profile. We're rated 5.0 stars across 189 reviews.
★★★★★
“Dr Theodore helps me with my back, hip, shoulder and knees. I always feel better when leaving than when I walked in. He really listens, and explains everything.”
★★★★★
“Dr. Theodore listens and addresses the area that are causing me pain. I would not be walking properly if it weren't for the great care I receive. The office staff is so kind.”
★★★★★
“When I started having pain in my knee after doing squats and lunges, Dr. Theodore was able to give me an adjustment that addressed the issue. He understood my position as an athlete and I went a couple of times to be sure that the issue was fully addressed and now THAT PAIN IS GONE.”
★★★★★
“I went there one time and felt an immediate difference. Thank you so much! Highly recommend.”
FAQ
Common questions about hip pain
Quick, plain-language answers about hip pain care, what to expect, insurance, and how we help patients in Gaithersburg and Montgomery County.
Can a chiropractor help with hip pain?+
Often, yes — especially for mechanical hip pain, lateral hip pain (gluteal tendinopathy), SI joint dysfunction, and hip arthritis. We address not just the hip, but the low back and glute mechanics that drive most chronic hip pain.
Is hip bursitis really bursitis?+
Often not. Research shows only about 2% of patients with refractory lateral hip pain have isolated trochanteric bursitis. Roughly 70% actually have gluteal tendinopathy — which is treated differently. A proper exam tells us which we're dealing with.
How long does hip pain usually take to get better?+
Most non-traumatic hip pain meaningfully improves within 4 to 8 weeks of starting the right plan. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome and gluteal tendinopathy typically take 8 to 12 weeks. Hip arthritis is chronic but responds well to consistent care.
Will I need a hip replacement?+
Most hip pain — even most hip arthritis — does not require surgery. Many patients who thought they were heading toward hip replacement do significantly better with effective care addressing strength, mobility, and movement.
Do I need an MRI for my hip pain?+
Most of the time, no — at least not right away. Clinical guidelines don't recommend imaging in the first few weeks for most non-traumatic hip pain. It becomes appropriate after trauma, with red-flag signs, or when effective care hasn't worked over 4–6 weeks.
Why does my hip hurt when I sleep on my side?+
Almost always lateral hip pain — usually gluteal tendinopathy. Side-sleeping compresses the gluteal tendons against the bony hip. Using a pillow between your knees and avoiding sleeping on the painful side helps during a flare.
Can dry needling help my hip pain?+
Often, yes — particularly for trigger points in the glute medius, piriformis, TFL, and IT band that drive most chronic lateral and posterior hip pain.
What's the difference between hip pain and SI joint pain?+
True hip pain is usually felt in the groin or deep front of the hip. SI joint pain is usually felt at the base of the spine or upper buttock area. They can both refer down the leg, which is why a proper exam is important.
Can pregnancy cause hip pain?+
Yes — very commonly. Hormonal changes, pelvic widening, and altered weight distribution drive many pregnancy-related hip and SI joint complaints. We use pregnancy-appropriate techniques for safe care.
Do you accept insurance for hip pain care?+
Yes. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareFirst, Aetna, United Healthcare, Medicare, GEHA, Johns Hopkins EHP, Optum VA, and most major plans. We'll verify your benefits before your first visit.
How quickly can I get an appointment?+
Same-day appointments are often available, and most new patients are seen within 1 to 3 business days. Call (301) 869-0006 or book online.
Where is your office located?+
12105 Darnestown Road, Suite L-8, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 — serving Gaithersburg, Potomac, Rockville, Germantown, Bethesda, and all of Montgomery County.
Related conditions
Conditions we also commonly help with
Related conditions our patients often deal with at the same time.
Back Pain
Most hip pain has a low back component — see our back pain page for the connected picture.
Learn more →Sciatica
Posterior hip pain that travels down the leg may actually be sciatica — see our dedicated page.
Learn more →Sports Injuries
Sport-related hip pain (FAI, labral issues, adductor strains) has specific evaluation and return-to-play approaches.
Learn more →Pregnancy and Postpartum Care
Pregnancy and postpartum hip pain — addressed with pregnancy-appropriate care.
Learn more →Ready to actually figure out what's driving your hip pain?
Book a personalized exam with Potomac Valley Chiropractic. Same-day appointments often available, most major insurance plans accepted, and a clear plan after your very first visit.
https://www.potomacvalleychiro.com/conditions/hip-pain
Sources
- 1. Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: Epidemiology and Associated Factors (NIH/PMC) (2010). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2907104/ Accessed July 2026.
- 2. Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome — StatPearls (NIH) (2024). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557433/ Accessed July 2026.
- 3. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma — Management of GTPS (2015). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0972978X15001786 Accessed July 2026.
- 4. Dr. Alison Grimaldi — Prevalence of Isolated Trochanteric Bursitis (2021). https://dralisongrimaldi.com/blog/prevalence-of-isolated-trochanteric-bursitis/ Accessed July 2026.
- 5. Johns Hopkins Pure — GTPS Anatomy, Diagnosis, and Management (2023). https://pure.johnshopkins.edu/en/publications/greater-trochanteric-pain-syndrome-a-review-of-anatomy-diagnosis--4/ Accessed July 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a personalized evaluation from a licensed healthcare provider. If you're dealing with severe, worsening, or red-flag symptoms, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Schedule a personalized exam with Potomac Valley Chiropractic to get a plan built specifically for your situation.