Vitalis Hip & Groin Clinic

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The Local Experts in Hip, Groin and Pelvic Pain

At Vitalis, we specialise in expert assessment and treatment of hip pain, especially in young adults, using a systematic approach to identify the root cause of discomfort. 

Assessment includes a detailed history of your symptoms, a thorough physical examination of your hip motion, ligamentous laxity, hip muscle strength, biomechanics, and movement patterns. 

We also assess surrounding areas, such as the lower back, that may be contributing to symptoms. If you have femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), a labral tear, micro-instability, ligamentous laxity, snapping hip, iliopsoas or gluteal tendinopathy, mild dysplasia (a shallow hip socket), arthritis, or another source of hip pain, we can help. 

Our goal is not just to treat pain, but to rebuild movement that feels natural, stable and strong. The hip joint endures high forces when walking and running, so building muscle around the hip joint is key to creating stability and controlling symptoms long term. We use soft tissue release and dry needling, but at the heart of our strategy is exercise and strength-based rehab.

The Groin Clinic

Groin and pelvic pain can be persistent, complex and deeply disruptive, but it’s also highly treatable with the right management.  

The pelvis is like a circle and is an area of complex force transfer. It must withstand the high forces involved with movements we take for granted, such as walking, running or kicking a ball. Pain can often occur in more than one area around the pelvis because of its complex biomechanics.

Our assessment will help identify the underlying cause of your symptoms, such as adductor-related groin pain, hip-related groin pain, lower abdominal-related groin pain, pubic bone overload, ilopsoas pathology or pubic bone stress injury. There may be more than one pathology present, which is often a factor missed in standard care.

A detailed history of your symptoms will be taken, as well as a thorough physical examination.

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Hip & Groin Physiotherapy – If you’re tired of living with pain, we are ready to help. We will walk you through your treatment options and create a tailored rehab plan supporting your recovery every step of the way.

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Physio for Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)

Our gentle, hands-on treatment combined with a strength and exercise approach can be really helpful to those who are struggling with painful PGP in pregnancy. We can also help after birth when you are ready to increase physical activity safely and potentially return to running or sport with a sensible, structured approach.  Pregnancy can leave your body vulnerable to injury, especially if you’ve suffered from PGP.  We can help you rebuild strong, stable natural movement.

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Your Local Hip & Groin Pain Clinic in Oxfordshire

Vitalis Physio is conveniently located at Watlington Wellness Centre, right in the heart of Watlington. Easily commutable from across South Oxfordshire and the Chilterns, with dedicated parking. Book your appointment with our expert sports physio today.

Email: info@vitalisphysio.com

Address: 1 Cuxham Road, Watlington, OX49 5JW

Phone: 07432 690233

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Vitalis Hip & Groin Clinic

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hip pain can be caused by many different problems around the hip joint, many of which can be interrelated. It is a complex area of the body to diagnose and treat.  In younger people, hip pain is commonly caused by:

    • Labral tears 

    • Cartilage defects

    • Ligamentum teres tears

    • Femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI)

    • Iliopsoas tendinopathy

    • Synovitis 

    • Early arthritis 

    In older adults aged 45 and over, arthritis is the most common cause of hip pain and usually presents as pain in the groin area or outside hip.  Gluteal tendinopathy (previously known as hip bursitis) is a common complaint in women; symptoms are generated by the tendons at the side of the hip and cause pain when walking, moving from sit to stand or when lying on the hip.

  • The musculoskeletal causes of groin pain are also complex. There can often be more than one area of pain around the pelvis and groin area that are interconnected. Pain can be caused by the lower abdominals as they insert into the pubic bone, the adductor tendons, the hip joint (labral tear or FAI), or the pubic bone itself can also generate groin pain. Other causes include nerve entrapment or hernias.

  • If you're having trouble with day-to-day movements or want to know what is causing the pain, come and see us at Vitalis – we can help.  Early treatment can prevent the issue from getting worse.

  • You don’t need a referral to see us at Vitalis Physio.

  • We specialise in post-surgical rehabilitation, including recovery after hip arthroscopy or hip replacement surgery. We’ll help get you back to doing the things you love.

    • We have a wealth of experience in the management of hip and groin pain, founder, Emma-Jane Harding spent several years working for leading British Hip Surgeon, Professor Richard Field in London.

    • Careful diagnosis – and if additional investigations or scans are needed, we know the best orthopaedic consultants to work alongside

    • Excellent communication with you and your doctors

    • Commitment to an excellent patient experience

    • Exercise programmes designed around your specific weaknesses

    • High level rehab and return to sport if needed.

  • Email us at info@vitalisphysio.com.  Do get in touch.

  • What Our Patients Say

    ‘I cannot thank Emma-Jane enough for her professional care. I have been suffering from a persistent sciatic nerve injury and had almost lost hope until I discovered Emma-Jane’s unique approach to treatment. By combining hands on treatment, exercise, dry needling and advice, she alleviated pain and restored my mobility. The professionalism, compassion and attention to detail she demonstrated throughout my treatment were phenomenal. I am extremely happy with the results and highly recommend her services to anyone in need of expert physiotherapy care.’

    Charlie, Whitchurch

  • What our Colleagues Say

    'As a Consultant Sports Physician working closely with athletes of all levels, I have high standards when referring patients for physiotherapy.  Emma-Jane's clinical expertise in musculoskeletal assessment and rehab is exceptional.  What truly sets her apart is her ability to blend evidence-based practice with a supportive compassionate approach and excellent communication.’

    Dr Rhodri Martin, Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine
    Team Doctor, Men’s National Team Football Association of Wales
    Lead Doctor, Welsh Institute of Sport 

  • What Our Patients Say

    I can’t recommend Emma-Jane Harding at Vitalis Physio highly enough. I have mild hip dysplasia in my right hip which became excruciatingly painful over the summer. Within just four weeks of seeing Emma, I was able to walk normally again, and I now continue to see her fortnightly as we work towards getting everything fully back to normal.

    Emma takes her profession very seriously and has an exceptional understanding of the body. Her attention to detail, focus, and the way she explains things have been phenomenal. What really makes the difference is not just seeing her, but also following the rehab she sets - it’s every bit as important as the sessions themselves.

    If you’re experiencing pain, I would wholeheartedly recommend going to see Emma-Jane. She’s been brilliant and has made a huge difference for me.

    James C

  • What Our Patients Say

    It was Emma-Jane’s expertise in hip and other conditions, together with her extensive experience that were the deciding factors in booking an appointment with her at Watlington Wellness Centre, after a painful hip had not eased after a few sessions with an osteopath (I now know I should have seen a physio!).

    I knew I was in safe, professional and thorough hands from the first appointment – Emma-Jane confirmed I had developed gluteal tendinopathy as a result of my outside hip muscles working overtime to compensate for weakness in my hip flexors, inner thigh muscles and hamstrings. She also wrote a letter for my GP requesting an X-ray. A few weeks on and my bespoke exercise plan, which she reviews and updates each session, plus soft tissue release and dry needling around my hip muscles has all made a difference and I am delighted that I am improving.

    I am so glad I found Emma-Jane and I highly recommend her.

    Sarah C

  • What Our Patients Say

    Highly recommend Emma-Jane, I have seen various practitioners for my neck and shoulder and Emma-Jane is the only one who has made a lasting difference. She uses a combination of hands on physical therapy, medical acupuncture and exercises to produce the desired result. She is also a very kind and understanding practitioner, who takes the time to listen to problems thoroughly without rushing and explains what she is doing at every step.

    Sarah D