Chiropractic care for hip pain
Get to the root of your hip pain
Also known as: Hip Joint Pain
Hip pain doesn't always start in the hip — and treating only the hip often misses the point. At Top Spine Chiropractic in Worcester, Dr. Evin Pingalore evaluates the whole hip-pelvis-low back unit to find what's actually causing your pain, then builds a drug-free plan that restores motion, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the muscles that keep the hip stable for the long haul.
Symptoms of hip pain
- Pain in the hip joint, groin, or outer thigh
- Deep aching or sharp pain with walking and climbing stairs
- Stiffness first thing in the morning or after sitting too long
- Reduced range of motion — difficulty rotating or crossing the leg
- A clicking, catching, or popping sensation in the hip
- Pain that radiates from the low back into the buttock or hip
- Limping or shifting your weight to avoid the sore side
Common causes
- Hip bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled sac over the greater trochanter
- Pelvic and hip joint misalignment altering how load is distributed
- Hip osteoarthritis wearing down the joint cartilage over time
- Muscle imbalances — tight hip flexors or weak glutes straining the joint
- Overuse injuries from running, cycling, or repetitive sport movements
- Referred pain from a lumbar disc, nerve, or sacroiliac joint problem
- Labral irritation or minor tears from twisting or repetitive hip loading
Our approach
How we treat hip pain in Worcester
- Step 01
Thorough exam
We review your history and run orthopedic, gait, and movement testing on your hip, pelvis, and low back — because hip pain usually has more than one contributing factor. We refer for imaging only when it will change your care plan.
- Step 02
A clear, personalized plan
You'll get a plain-English explanation of what we found and a specific, time-bound care plan with a real endpoint — not an open-ended string of visits.
- Step 03
Targeted treatment & rehab
We combine chiropractic adjustments to restore pelvic and hip alignment with corrective exercise to rebuild the strength and flexibility that protect the joint.
The basics
Understanding hip pain
Your hip is one of the most load-bearing joints in the body — it supports your full weight with every step, absorbs force when you run or jump, and anchors the muscles that power nearly every lower-body movement. It also doesn't work alone. The hip, pelvis, and lumbar spine form a tightly connected mechanical unit, and a problem in any one of them shifts stress onto the others.
That's why hip pain is so often misdiagnosed and mistreated. When only the hip is evaluated, the real driver — a pelvic misalignment, a stiff sacroiliac joint, or a lumbar disc issue referring pain downward — gets missed entirely. At Top Spine Chiropractic in Worcester, we examine the whole unit so we can treat what's actually causing the problem, not just where you feel it. Most hip pain is mechanical and reversible — bursitis, joint restriction, muscle imbalance, or referred nerve pain from the low back — which means it responds well to conservative, drug-free care.
New Patient Special
$97
Everything you need to get started
- Chiropractic Consultation
- Exam
- X-Rays (if needed)
- First Adjustment
Types of hip pain we treat
“Hip pain” covers a wide range of conditions, and knowing which one you’re dealing with changes everything about the care plan. We regularly help patients from Worcester, Shrewsbury, Grafton, and Holden with:
- Hip bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled sac over the greater trochanter, causing aching pain on the outer hip or thigh that’s worst lying on that side or after stairs.
- Hip impingement (FAI) — extra bone growth at the ball or socket that pinches the labrum with deep flexion; common in active adults and athletes.
- Referred pain from the spine — a lumbar disc, facet joint, or sacroiliac problem can send pain directly into the hip or groin. Treating the hip alone won’t fix it (see Low Back Pain and Sciatica).
- Labral irritation — the cartilage ring lining the socket can become irritated from twisting, repetitive loading, or an underlying alignment problem; it often presents as a deep clicking or catching sensation.
- Hip osteoarthritis — gradual cartilage wear that causes morning stiffness and aching with activity; conservative care slows the progression and often significantly reduces pain.
- Muscle-imbalance pain — tight hip flexors and weak glutes alter how the joint loads with every step, leading to chronic irritation that responds well to corrective exercise.
- Sports and overuse injuries — IT band syndrome, hip flexor strains, and stress reactions from running or cycling are common presentations we treat through athlete care.
Your exam tells us which pattern is driving your pain so your plan is built around your hip — not a generic protocol.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment is focused on understanding your hip before we treat it. We’ll:
- Listen to your story — when the pain started, what makes it worse or better, how it affects your daily movement and activity.
- Examine thoroughly — orthopedic tests, gait analysis, and movement screening of the hip, pelvis, and low back as a unit. We order imaging only when it will change your care.
- Explain what we found — in plain English, with a clear time-bound care plan and honest expectations for your recovery.
- Begin care when appropriate — many patients receive their first gentle adjustment the same day.
You’re never signed up for open-ended treatment. Just a specific plan with a real finish line and the rehab to keep the hip stable once the pain is gone.
Drug-free hip pain relief — without injections or surgery
Cortisone injections can quiet hip pain for a few weeks, but they don’t correct the alignment or muscle imbalance that’s driving it. Surgery is often avoidable for the most common hip conditions. Chiropractic care works differently — we relieve the pain and address the mechanics causing it, without drugs or downtime. For most patients across the Worcester area that means returning to walking, stairs, exercise, and sleep faster, and staying there. If your exam ever shows that imaging, a specialist, or a surgical consult is the right next step, we’ll tell you directly and help coordinate that care.
When to see a chiropractor in Worcester
Hip pain deserves attention sooner rather than later. Waiting allows compensatory patterns to develop in your gait and posture that can drag the knee, low back, and opposite hip into the problem. Consider booking an exam if you notice:
- Pain in the hip, groin, or outer thigh that lingers more than a few days
- Stiffness that makes it hard to get dressed, get in and out of a car, or climb stairs
- Limping or unconsciously shifting your weight to the other side
- Hip discomfort that gets worse after sitting for long periods
- Pain that seems connected to your low back — or that radiates down the leg (see Low Back Pain)
We do refer when it’s appropriate: if your exam or imaging points to a hip replacement candidate, severe arthritis, or a fracture, we’ll tell you clearly and coordinate with the right specialist.
Why Worcester-area patients choose Top Spine Chiropractic
Patients from Worcester, Shrewsbury, Auburn, Grafton, and Holden choose us because we look past the symptom to find the cause. Dr. Evin Pingalore uses a thorough orthopedic and movement assessment to map the hip-pelvis-low back relationship, then builds a plan that uses chiropractic adjustment to restore proper joint mechanics, corrective exercise to fix the muscle imbalances driving the problem, and athlete care for athletes who need to return to full activity.
Hip pain and low back pain are closely linked — if you’re dealing with both, our approach addresses them together rather than in isolation. Ready to find out what’s really going on? Our $97 New Patient Special includes your consultation, exam, X-rays (if needed), and first adjustment, and you can book your exam online or call (774) 280-4790.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical hip-pain routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Pain Meds & Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses the root cause | ✓Corrects alignment & mechanics | ✕Masks the symptoms |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | ✕Rarely |
| Risk of side effects | ✓Minimal | ✕Higher (meds, surgery) |
| Personalized to you | ✓Custom care plan | ✕One-size-fits-all |
| Builds long-term strength | ✓Rehab included | ✕Seldom addressed |
| Typical recovery | ✓Active & gradual | ✕Often lengthy |
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve hip pain
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Worcester, MA that restore motion to restricted joints and relieve back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Arthrostim Adjusting
Gentle, instrument-based Arthrostim adjusting in Worcester, MA — rapid low-force impulses restore joint motion without cracking, ideal for sensitive patients.
Learn more →Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Gentle prenatal chiropractic in Worcester, MA, with Dr. Evin Pingalore. Relief for back, hip, and pelvic pain in pregnancy, including the Webster Technique.
Learn more →Activator Method Technique
Activator Method chiropractic in Worcester, MA — a spring-loaded, low-force instrument adjustment for all ages, backed by decades of research. Gentle and precise.
Learn more →Athlete Care
Athlete care in Worcester, MA, helps athletes of every level recover from strains and overuse injuries and get back to play with a clear, staged plan.
Learn more →Webster Technique
Webster Technique in Worcester, MA — gentle chiropractic analysis and pelvis balancing for pregnant patients to support comfort and alignment throughout pregnancy.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Worcester
Patient reviews
What our Worcester patients say
Lovely Team and helpful for pain relief!! Reco!!
I can't say enough about Dr.Ping and his team! I personally drive 2 hours one way just to make sure i'm getting the best care possible. They go above and beyond for myself and so many others and it is truly appreciated!
Evin & the team at Top Spine have provided some of the very best care I have ever received. The team is so fun, friendly, and welcoming that it never feels like a typical appointment. You walk in feeling comfortable, recognized, and genuinely cared about. They have also done an incredible job of helping me understand the why behind my care. I always leave knowing what we are working on, how it connects to how I am feeling, and what comes next. That clarity has made such a difference. I do not feel like I am just showing up for an adjustment. I feel informed, involved, and confident in the plan. I can feel real changes in my body, and have experienced less stiffness and tension, better mobility, improved posture, more comfort in my day-to-day movement, and a greater awareness of what my body needs. Those changes have added up in a meaningful way. I am so grateful for this team and would highly recommend them to anyone who wants excellent care from people who make the whole experience feel easy, positive, and personal.
What causes hip pain?
Hip pain most commonly comes from bursitis, joint or pelvic misalignment, muscle imbalances (tight hip flexors, weak glutes), arthritis, or overuse from sport or exercise. It can also be referred pain from a lumbar disc or sacroiliac joint — which is why a full hip-pelvis-low back exam matters more than just treating where it hurts.
Can a chiropractor help hip pain?
Yes, in many cases. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment of the hip and pelvis, which takes abnormal stress off the joint and surrounding muscles. Combined with corrective exercise and rehab, most patients see meaningful improvement in pain and range of motion. We'll be straightforward with you if imaging or a specialist referral is the better path.
How do I relieve hip pain at home?
Gentle movement (short walks, hip circles), ice for acute inflammation or heat for chronic stiffness, targeted stretching of the hip flexors and piriformis, and temporarily avoiding aggravating activities can help manage symptoms. If the pain is sharp, came on after a trauma, or keeps you up at night, book an exam so we can address the cause rather than just manage it.
Is my hip pain actually coming from my back?
Often, yes. The lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints, and hip all share nerve pathways and work as a mechanical unit. A disc or facet joint problem in the low back frequently refers pain into the hip, groin, or outer thigh — and treating only the hip won't resolve it. Our exam specifically tests for this pattern.
How do I know if I need a hip replacement vs. chiropractic?
We screen for that on your first visit. Significant joint-space loss, end-stage osteoarthritis, or fracture history are signs we refer to an orthopedic surgeon. For the majority of hip pain patients, however, conservative care addresses the problem well before surgery becomes necessary.
How long does hip pain treatment take?
It depends on what's causing it and how long it's been present. After your exam, Dr. Pingalore gives you a specific, time-bound plan with a clear endpoint. Many patients notice meaningful improvement within two to four weeks of starting care.
Do you treat hip bursitis?
Yes. Hip bursitis responds well to a combination of joint alignment work and a corrective exercise plan that removes the mechanical stress driving the inflammation. We help manage it conservatively — we don't claim to cure it, but most bursitis patients reach a point where it no longer limits their daily life.
Will my insurance cover hip pain treatment?
We're a cash-based practice and don't bill or accept insurance, but we do accept HSA/FSA cards. Call (774) 280-4790 if you have questions about cost before your first visit.
Do you treat hip pain from sports injuries?
Absolutely. Hip labral strains, IT band syndrome, hip flexor pulls, and bursitis from running or cycling are common sports-related hip problems, and athlete care is one of the services we offer patients across Worcester, Shrewsbury, Grafton, and Holden.
When should I see a doctor for hip pain?
Seek immediate evaluation if your hip pain followed a fall or trauma (possible fracture), if you cannot bear weight, if you have fever alongside the pain, or if there is significant visible deformity. For all other hip pain that limits your activity or lasts more than a few days, a chiropractic exam is a smart first step before escalating to injections or surgery.