Physio for Hip Pain

Are you struggling with hip pain?

At Vitalis, we specialise in the expert assessment and treatment of hip pain.  When you experience a hip problem, it can feel like your daily function, sleep and activities like getting in and out of the car, walking or putting on socks become troublesome.

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

The Hip - Our Approach

Trusted Sports Injury Physio Specialists

Using a systematic assessment, we can identify if the joint is the underlying cause of symptoms or if the surrounding muscles and soft tissue are the issue. Our assessment will take into account a detailed history of your symptoms, a physical examination that evaluates your hip movement, ligamentous laxity, hip muscle strength, biomechanics and movement patterns.  Often, some form of scanning is helpful to identify any subtle problems with the shape of the ball and socket joint, this will be discussed with you in detail.  

Our aim is simple, to help you take control and feel stronger, so you can get back to doing the things you love.

The type of hip problems we can help with

  • Femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI or Hip Impingement)

  • Micro-instability with ligamentous laxity (Hip Joint Looseness)

  • Snapping hip 

  • Iiliopsoas tendinopathy

  • Hip Soft Tissue Injury (Gluteal tendinopathy)

  • Mild hip dysplaysia (shallow socket)

  • Mild or moderate arthritis

  • Pre-hab before hip surgery 

  • Rehab after hip surgery, such as hip arthroscopy, PAO or a total hip replacement

Our approach emphasises the importance of

Accurate clinical assessment of the hip

  • Structured rehabilitation tailored to the stage and type of injury

  • Active rehab, rather than over-reliance on passive treatments


How we treat hip pain at Vitalis

At Vitalis, our management of hip pain is built upon experience.  Treatment depends upon your hip’s specific set of problems.  A stiff hip often requires loosening strategies, a mobile hip with weak muscles requires strengthening.

We restore normal movement, strengthen weak muscles and integrate hands on therapy and dry needling if needed.  High-level rehab is available to those who wish to return to running or impact activities.


Guided Recovery From Shoulder Pain

Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back. Contact Vitalis Physio today to book your personalised assessment and start your journey to lasting recovery.

Address: 1 Cuxham Road, Watlington, OX49 5JW

Email: info@vitalisphysio.com

Phone: 07432 690233

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • This depends upon what is wrong with your hip.  If you have mild to moderate arthritis, physiotherapy will most likely help control your symptoms.  If you have FAI and you would like to avoid surgery or try physiotherapy before surgery then physiotherapy is a good treatment option.

  • You will be thoroughly assessed during your appointment, weak muscles will be identified and 

  • The hip joint is subject to high forces when walking and running, therefore building muscle mass around the hip joint is key to creating a sense of stability and controlling symptoms in the long term.  Building new muscle takes around 16 weeks depending upon your age, biological sex, and diet.  Hip pain will often resolve within this time, but commitment to the exercise programme will need to continue.

  • You don't need a referral to get started with Vitalis.

  • The most common causes of hip pain in younger people is femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) or a labral tear.  There are three types of FAI.


    1. Cam type – An abnormal bony bump on the femoral head or neck, which contacts abnormally against the rim of the socket.

    2. Pincer type – The acetabulum (socket) has excessive coverage of the femoral head, causing the labrum to be pinched.

    3. Mixed Cam and Pincer - Both cam and pincer features are present (most common).


    Hip dysplasia or a shallow hip socket can also cause pain in younger adults. This leads to abnormal force and stress.

  • The labrum is a piece of flexible cartilage attached to the rim of the hip socket.  If FAI is present, the labrum can be over-loaded and can be damaged.  The labrum can also be damaged if the shape of the ball and socket are normal but if there is trauma to the hip or a specific injury.

  • The most common cause of hip pain in men and women over the age of 50 is due to arthritis.  Women often present with pain located over the outside of the hip, this can be referred pain from the joint, or can be gluteal tendinopathy (weakening and over-use of the muscles that attach to the hip bone (greater trochanter).

  • Most frequently, the hip joint will generate pain in the region of the groin crease.  It can also refer to the side or back of the hip, along the thigh.  Some experience diffuse pain that radiates into the knee.  It is common to experience pain in more than one place around the pelvis when you have a hip problem.

  • 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