Hip pain: where it hurts and what it might mean
A guide to hip pain: why the location of the pain matters, common contributors, general self-care and when to seek medical help.
Hip pain can come from the hip joint itself, from the tendons and muscles around it, or from the lower back. Where you feel the pain gives useful clues. Pain in the groin more often points to the joint, while pain on the outer side of the hip is often linked to the tendons.
When to get urgent help
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have any of these. They can be signs of a fracture, infection, blood clot or other emergency.
- A limb that looks deformed, or a joint that you cannot move or put weight on after an injury
- A cold, pale or numb foot or hand after injury
- A hot, red, swollen joint with a high temperature
- A painful, swollen, warm calf, with or without breathlessness or chest pain
What it can feel like
- Pain on the outer side of the hip, especially when lying on that side or after walking
- Pain in the groin or front of the hip, sometimes with stiffness
- Pain when getting up from a chair, climbing stairs or putting on shoes and socks
- Pain in the buttock or thigh that may be coming from the lower back
Common contributors
- Irritation of the tendons on the outer hip, often after a rise in walking or running
- Wear and tear changes in the hip joint (osteoarthritis), which become more common with age
- Muscle strain around the hip and pelvis
- Referred pain from the lower back
General self-care
These are general comfort measures many people find reasonable. They are not a treatment plan, and what suits one person may not suit another.
- Keep walking within comfort. Gentle regular activity is generally better than resting completely
- Avoid positions that clearly aggravate the pain, such as lying on the painful side or crossing the legs for long periods
- Placing a pillow between the knees when lying on the other side can be more comfortable
- Build activity up gradually rather than in sudden jumps
- If you use over-the-counter pain relief, follow the packet instructions or ask a pharmacist
When to see your GP
See your GP promptly, or call NHS 111, if you have any of the following:
- Pain after a significant injury, fall or twist
- Pain that is constant, severe or getting worse, or wakes you at night
- Unexplained weight loss, fever or feeling generally unwell with limb pain
Consider seeing your GP if:
- Hip pain after a fall, especially if you cannot put weight on the leg. This needs urgent assessment
- Pain that is steadily getting worse or waking you at night
- A hot, swollen joint, a high temperature, or a child who is limping
Where an osteopath fits in
There is limited good-quality research showing that hands-on treatment changes the course of hip pain, so I do not claim that osteopathy treats it.
What an osteopath can usefully do is work out whether your symptoms are coming from the hip joint, the muscles and tendons around it, or the lower back, advise on activity, positions and graded exercise, and refer you for a scan or specialist opinion if that is needed. For hip pain from osteoarthritis, hands-on treatment may be used as an adjunct to the core treatments of exercise and education. If the assessment suggests you need your GP, a physiotherapist or a specialist instead, I will tell you.
If you would like your symptoms assessed, you are welcome to book an appointment. Osteopathic care is not right for everyone, and if something needs medical attention first, I will tell you.
Common questions
Where is hip pain felt?
Pain from the hip joint itself is often felt in the groin or front of the thigh, while pain on the outer side of the hip or buttock is more often linked to the tendons and muscles around the joint. Pain can also be referred from the lower back.
Why does my hip hurt when I lie on my side?
Pain on the outside of the hip that is worse lying on that side is commonly due to irritated tendons and soft tissue around the top of the thigh bone, known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome. See the lateral hip pain guide.
Free 5-minute exercise sheet
A simple, printable sheet of gentle exercises and stretches, about five minutes a day, based on NHS physiotherapy leaflets. It is general information, not a personal treatment plan, and it is not suitable if you have any of the urgent signs listed above.
Sources and further reading
Links open in a new tab. Sources were checked in October 2026.
Related guides
This page is general information to help you understand common aches and pains. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose your problem. If you are worried about your symptoms, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111.