Hip Pain Physiotherapy in Perth & Regional WA
Hip pain can affect walking, stairs, sleep, exercise and everyday movement. Our Physiotherapists provide hip pain assessment and treatment at Mount Pleasant, Belmont and Regional WA clinics, with a practical plan tailored to your presentation and goals. Hip symptoms can sometimes occur alongside lower back pain or knee pain.
A Physiotherapy assessment can help clarify which movements and activities are aggravating symptoms, how the hip and surrounding areas are functioning, and what may support a gradual return to comfortable activity.
Book an appointment
Choose a clinic and secure a time that suits you. If hip pain is affecting walking, sleep, work, exercise or confidence with movement, a Physiotherapy assessment can help clarify the next step.
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You can also visit our Physio Tips page for general Physiotherapy information and advice.
Common hip pain patterns we see
Hip symptoms can feel sharp, aching, stiff or sore depending on the area involved and the activities that aggravate them. A Physiotherapy assessment helps identify which factors may be most relevant to your presentation.
- Pain around the front of the hip or groin
- Pain around the outside of the hip, buttock or upper thigh
- Symptoms with stairs, walking, running or getting up from sitting
- Discomfort during prolonged sitting or when lying on one side
- Symptoms occurring alongside lower back pain or knee pain
Many people want a clearer plan for movement, exercise and managing everyday activities without repeatedly aggravating their hip.
When to consider an appointment
If hip pain is affecting walking, sleep, work, training or confidence with movement—or if symptoms keep returning—a structured Physiotherapy plan may be useful.
- Symptoms persisting beyond a few days
- Recurring flare-ups with sport, gym or everyday activity
- Reduced tolerance for stairs, longer walks or prolonged sitting
- Difficulty sleeping comfortably because of hip symptoms
- Uncertainty about which activities to modify or gradually rebuild
What a Hip Pain Physiotherapy assessment may include
Your Physiotherapist will take a detailed history and assess movement, strength and load tolerance. This helps determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and guides the next steps in your plan.
- Assessment of hip movement and functional tasks
- Strength and control through the hips, gluteal muscles and surrounding areas
- Load tolerance for walking, sport, work and everyday activity
- Review of recent changes in exercise, work or activity levels
- Assessment of nearby areas, including the lower back or knee, where relevant
How Physiotherapy may help
Treatment is individualised according to your assessment findings. Depending on your presentation, your plan may include hands-on Physiotherapy, dry needling where suitable, guided exercise and advice to support hip movement, strength and confidence with loading.
- Hands-on Physiotherapy where clinically appropriate
- Dry needling where suitable and with your consent
- Education about pacing and activity modification
- Exercises to support strength, control and movement capacity
- Guidance for gradually returning to walking, gym, sport and everyday activity
Possible contributors to hip pain
Hip pain may be influenced by how the joint and surrounding tissues are tolerating current demands. Assessment can help identify recent changes in walking, running, gym training, work tasks or time spent sitting that may be relevant.
- Rapid increases in running, walking or training load
- Strength or capacity around the hip that does not yet meet current demands
- Prolonged sitting or repetitive everyday tasks
- Reduced variety in movement across the day
- Previous injuries or flare-ups affecting confidence with loading
- Symptoms referred from nearby areas such as the lower back
Managing a hip pain flare-up
During a flare-up, temporarily reducing aggravating activities may be more practical than stopping all movement. What is appropriate will depend on the cause and severity of your symptoms.
- Temporarily reduce activities that clearly increase symptoms
- Continue comfortable movement where possible
- Adjust gym loads or substitute aggravating exercises temporarily
- Gradually reintroduce walking, stairs, exercise or sport as tolerance allows
- Arrange an assessment if symptoms are worsening or not settling
When to seek urgent medical attention
Seek prompt medical attention if hip pain is sudden or severe, follows a significant injury or fall, or you cannot move the hip or put weight through the affected leg. Fever, marked swelling or feeling significantly unwell also requires medical review.
- Severe pain following a fall, accident or other trauma
- Inability to bear weight or move the hip normally
- Sudden or rapidly worsening pain
- Marked swelling, bleeding or visible deformity
- Hip pain accompanied by fever or feeling significantly unwell
You can review further guidance on when to seek care on the Healthdirect hip pain page.
Hip Pain Physiotherapy FAQs
Can hip pain come from the lower back?
Sometimes symptoms felt around the hip can relate to nearby areas such as the lower back. A Physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether the hip, surrounding tissues or another area may be contributing.
Why does hip pain sometimes spread into the thigh or buttock?
Hip-related symptoms are not always felt in one location. Some people notice pain around the groin, outside of the hip, buttock or upper thigh. Assessment can help identify which areas may be relevant.
Do I need imaging for hip pain?
Not always. Imaging can be useful in certain situations, but many hip presentations can initially be assessed clinically. If imaging or medical review appears appropriate, your Physiotherapist can discuss this with you.
Can I continue walking or exercising with hip pain?
It depends on your symptoms and their cause. Some people can continue with modified activity, while others may need further assessment before progressing. Severe pain or an inability to bear weight requires prompt medical attention.
Do you offer dry needling for hip pain?
Dry needling may be offered when clinically appropriate and with your consent. It is one possible option within a broader Physiotherapy plan that may also include hands-on treatment, education and exercise.
Further reading
For general health information, you can also read hip pain information from Healthdirect.
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Book Hip Pain Physiotherapy in Perth & Regional WA
If hip pain is affecting walking, sleep, work or exercise, a Physiotherapy assessment can help identify contributing factors and guide a practical plan. Appointments are available at Mount Pleasant, Belmont and Regional WA clinics.
Related: Physio Tips • Physiotherapy