Hip pain can turn everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair into uncomfortable experiences. Sometimes it develops after an injury. Other times, the pain appears gradually, making it difficult to understand what's causing it.
If you're looking for relief, you might wonder: Can chiropractic help hip pain?
Chiropractic care may help some people with hip pain related to muscle or joint problems. Manual therapy and appropriate exercises may improve pain and movement in selected patients. However, chiropractic adjustments are not effective for every hip condition, and the right treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Understanding why your hip hurts is the first step toward finding appropriate care.
What Causes Hip Pain?
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint connecting your thighbone to your pelvis. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage help support movement and stability.
Pain can develop when these structures become injured, irritated, or affected by joint disease.
According to Mayo Clinic, common causes of hip pain include:
Hip osteoarthritis: Joint changes that can cause stiffness, groin pain, and difficulty moving.
Muscle strains: Overstretching or injuring muscles around the hip during exercise or everyday activities.
Tendon problems: Irritation or damage involving tendons that support hip movement.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome: Pain along the outside of the hip, often associated with the gluteal tendons.
Hip injuries: Falls, sports injuries, or repetitive movements that damage bones or surrounding tissues.
Not all hip pain comes from the hip joint itself.
Sometimes, problems in the lower back cause referred pain in the buttock or hip. When spinal nerves are involved, pain may also travel down the leg with tingling or numbness.
Learn more about this connection in our article on sciatica and lower back pain.
Because hip pain has several possible causes, identifying the problem matters more than choosing a treatment based on symptoms alone.
Can Chiropractic Help Hip Pain?
Chiropractic care may help certain musculoskeletal causes of hip pain, particularly when joint stiffness or movement limitations are involved.
A chiropractor is a licensed healthcare professional who evaluates conditions affecting the spine, joints, and muscles. Treatment may include joint mobilization, adjustments, movement guidance, and exercises.
The 2025 Hip Osteoarthritis Clinical Practice Guideline recommends selected manual therapy techniques for patients with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis who experience pain or restricted joint movement.
These techniques may help improve mobility and physical function in appropriate patients.
However, this research primarily concerns manual therapy used in rehabilitation. It does not prove that every chiropractic adjustment works for every cause of hip pain.
Chiropractic care also cannot repair a fractured hip, reverse arthritis, or treat a joint infection. Those problems require appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.
How Do Chiropractors Treat Hip Pain?
Chiropractic treatment depends on the diagnosis, health history, physical examination, and individual needs.
There isn't one adjustment or technique that works for everyone.
1. Hip Joint Adjustments and Mobilization
Hip joint mobilization involves controlled movements intended to address painful or restricted joint motion.
A chiropractic adjustment, also called manipulation, may involve a quicker, controlled movement.
For selected patients, these techniques may help with joint mobility and discomfort. However, a hip pain chiropractic adjustment should only be considered when the underlying condition has been evaluated, and the technique is appropriate.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy
Muscles and tendons around the hip help stabilize the joint during walking, bending, and exercise.
Some chiropractors use soft tissue techniques involving gentle pressure or movement to address muscle-related discomfort.
These approaches may provide temporary symptom relief for certain people, although evidence varies depending on the condition and specific technique.
They do not repair torn tendons or reverse structural joint damage.
3. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Appropriate exercises can help improve hip strength, flexibility, and movement.
For people with hip osteoarthritis, therapeutic exercise is a core part of evidence-based care.
A clinician may recommend exercises based on the patient's symptoms and physical abilities. The goal is to support everyday function without unnecessarily aggravating the joint.
4. Movement and Activity Guidance
Sometimes, changing how you perform an activity can help manage discomfort.
A chiropractor may discuss ways to modify movements that aggravate symptoms, gradually return to exercise, or improve tolerance for daily activities.
These recommendations should be based on an individual assessment rather than a standard treatment plan for everyone.
How Effective Is Chiropractic Care for Hip Pain?
Research suggests that certain manual therapy techniques may help selected patients, but chiropractic-specific research on hip pain remains limited.
A 2010 clinical pilot study examined 14 patients with hip osteoarthritis who were waiting for hip replacement surgery.
Patients receiving chiropractic care reported improvements in pain over three weeks. However, researchers found no statistically significant difference between the chiropractic and comparison groups.
Because the study was small, it could not establish that chiropractic care was reliably more effective.
Broader research on hip manual therapy has also produced mixed results.
The 2025 hip osteoarthritis guideline supports certain manual therapy techniques for appropriate patients. However, the NICE osteoarthritis guideline advises considering manual therapy alongside therapeutic exercise rather than using it as a stand-alone treatment.
What does this mean for patients?
Chiropractic care may be one option for managing certain types of hip pain, but improvement is not guaranteed. Treatment should focus on meaningful changes in pain, movement, and daily function.
Is Chiropractic Treatment for Hip Pain Safe?
Safety depends on the cause of the pain, the patient's health, and the technique being considered.
Some people experience temporary soreness or stiffness after manual treatment.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health discusses temporary discomfort after spinal manipulation. However, evidence about spinal techniques should not be treated as proof of the safety of every hip-specific adjustment.
Manual treatment may be inappropriate when someone has a suspected fracture, joint infection, significant injury, or another condition requiring medical care.
People with osteoporosis, previous hip surgery, or other conditions affecting bone and joint health should discuss these concerns before treatment.
A qualified clinician should explain the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives before performing an adjustment.
What to Expect During a Chiropractic Appointment for Hip Pain
Your first chiropractic appointment should focus on understanding your symptoms and identifying their possible cause.
A chiropractor may ask when the pain started, where you feel it, and which movements make it worse. Your medical history, previous injuries, and current health conditions may also be reviewed.
The examination may include checking hip mobility, muscle strength, walking patterns, and relevant areas of the lower back.
If chiropractic care is appropriate, the practitioner should explain the available treatment options and how progress will be evaluated.
At Russian River Chiropractic, the clinic describes an approach involving assessment of your history, movement patterns, and goals, followed by individualized recommendations and ongoing reassessment.
There is no fixed number of sessions that every person needs. If symptoms worsen or meaningful improvement does not occur, further evaluation may be necessary.
When Should You See a Doctor for Hip Pain?
Some symptoms need medical attention rather than routine chiropractic care.
According to the NHS guidance on hip pain, warning signs include:
Severe hip pain after a fall or injury
Inability to walk or put weight on the affected leg
New numbness or loss of feeling after an injury
A hot, swollen hip, especially with fever
Sudden, severe pain without an obvious cause
Severe injury-related pain, inability to bear weight, or new loss of sensation following an injury requires emergency evaluation. A hot, swollen hip with fever also needs urgent medical assessment.
You should also arrange a medical evaluation if hip pain keeps returning, affects your sleep, or limits everyday activities.
How Can You Manage Mild Hip Pain at Home?
If the pain is mild and there are no warning signs, a few practical changes may help.
Try to stay gently active without repeatedly aggravating the hip. Short walks or comfortable movements may help maintain mobility.
Avoid activities that cause sharp pain, and gradually return to exercise as symptoms allow.
A wrapped cold pack may provide temporary relief for some painful hip conditions. Avoid applying ice directly to your skin.
If symptoms persist, worsen, or follow a significant injury, seek professional evaluation instead of relying on home treatment alone.
Chiropractic Care for Hip Pain in Santa Rosa, CA, at Russian River Chiropractic
If hip pain, lower back discomfort, or limited movement is affecting your daily routine, Russian River Chiropractic in Santa Rosa, CA, offers personalized chiropractic care focused on improving movement and supporting physical function.
Dr. Adrian Villalba, D.C., takes an individualized approach to care, combining chiropractic adjustments with movement guidance based on each patient's symptoms, physical condition, and needs.
The clinic offers:
Treatment begins with an individual assessment to understand your hip pain, identify possible contributing factors, and determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate.
Experiencing ongoing hip discomfort? Contact Russian River Chiropractic to schedule an appointment with Dr. Adrian Villalba and explore care options suited to your needs.
🌐 Website: Chiropractor in Santa Rosa, CA
📍 Map: Russian River Chiropractic
📞 Phone: (707) 526-1928
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chiropractic Help Hip Pain When Walking?
It may help some people whose pain is associated with joint stiffness or musculoskeletal conditions. However, pain while walking can also result from arthritis, injuries, or other problems that require medical evaluation.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Hip Arthritis?
Certain manual therapy techniques may improve pain and mobility in selected patients with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis. However, chiropractic adjustments cannot reverse arthritis or restore damaged cartilage.
Does a Chiropractic Hip Adjustment Hurt?
Some people experience pressure or temporary soreness during or after treatment. Significant or worsening pain should not be ignored. Tell your chiropractor if a technique causes sharp pain or unusual symptoms.
How Many Chiropractic Sessions Are Needed for Hip Pain?
There is no standard number of sessions. The appropriate plan depends on the diagnosis, symptoms, and response to treatment. Progress should be reviewed regularly.
Should I See a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist for Hip Pain?
Both may provide conservative musculoskeletal care, but their approaches can differ. Physical therapy often emphasizes exercise and rehabilitation, while chiropractic care may include manual treatment and movement guidance. The appropriate choice depends on your condition.
Read our guide to chiropractic vs. physical therapy to understand the differences.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care may help some people manage hip pain related to joint stiffness or other musculoskeletal problems. Manual therapy and appropriate exercises can play a role in selected cases, but chiropractic adjustments are not suitable for every condition.
If hip pain is affecting your daily routine, finding out what's causing it is the most important first step. An appropriate evaluation can help determine whether chiropractic care, physical therapy, or medical treatment is the better option.
Author Bio: Dr. Adrian Villalba, D.C., CACCP
Dr. Adrian Villalba is a chiropractor and movement specialist at Russian River Chiropractic in Santa Rosa, CA. He graduated from Life Chiropractic College West as Salutatorian with clinical honors and has advanced experience in extremity care and Foundation Training instruction.
Dr. Villalba combines precise chiropractic adjustments with functional movement strategies tailored to each patient's needs. His clinical background includes sports-related musculoskeletal concerns, prenatal and pediatric chiropractic care, and family wellness.
At Russian River Chiropractic, he focuses on personalized assessments, patient education, and helping individuals improve mobility, physical function, and confidence in everyday movement.
