Hip & Groin Pain Treatment in Guelph and Wellington County

Walking, running, and changing direction can all become uncomfortable when hip and groin pain sets in, making it harder to stay as active as you’d like. It can result from muscle strain, joint irritation, or overuse.

The hip joint itself can become stiff and painful over time, particularly as we age, while the surrounding muscles and tendons that let you walk, climb stairs, run, and jump are common sources of strain-related pain. Hip and groin pain can also be referred from problems in the low back or knee, which is why an accurate assessment matters before starting treatment.

At EPA, we’ve also developed the Groin Injury Prevention Program (GRIPP), aimed at reducing the risk of first-time and recurrent groin injuries for athletes and active patients. Our physiotherapists identify the source of your hip or groin pain and build a treatment plan around it.

Common causes of hip and groin pain

The hip carries your body weight through walking, running, and every change of direction, so pain here can come from the joint itself, the surrounding muscles, or even problems elsewhere in the kinetic chain. Common causes of hip and groin pain include:

• Osteoarthritis or general wear in the hip joint, which tends to become stiffer and more painful with age
• Muscle strain or tendon irritation in the hip flexors, adductors (groin), or hamstrings
• Overuse or repetitive strain from running, kicking, or change-of-direction sports
• Sudden overload or an awkward movement, such as sprinting or pivoting
• Referred pain from musculoskeletal problems in the low back or knee
• Poor biomechanics or muscle imbalance around the hip and pelvis

Medical diagnoses for hip and groin pain

Hip and groin pain can stem from several specific medical conditions. Each one has its own causes, symptoms, and treatment considerations — and identifying the right one shapes your treatment plan:

• Hip osteoarthritis — degenerative changes in the hip joint that cause stiffness and pain, often worse with activity
• Greater trochanteric bursitis — inflammation of the tissue over the outside of the hip, often painful when lying on the affected side
• Hip flexor strain — a strain of the muscles at the front of the hip, often from sprinting, kicking, or sudden acceleration
• Groin or adductor strain — a strain or tear of the inner-thigh muscles, common in sports involving cutting or change of direction
• Hamstring strain — an injury to the muscles at the back of the thigh, often from sudden acceleration or overstretching
• Post-surgical hip rehabilitation — recovery and strengthening following hip replacement or other hip surgery
• Fractures of the hip, femur, or pelvis — following significant trauma; these require medical assessment before physiotherapy begins

How we treat Hip & Groin Pain

Our approach to hip and groin pain is built around orthopaedic physiotherapy, tailored to your specific symptoms and goals. Through our Path to Improved Health, treatment may include:

• Hands-on manual therapy to restore hip joint mobility and ease muscle tightness
• Targeted strengthening for the hip, groin, and surrounding muscles, progressing to sport-specific or functional loading
• Our GRIPP (Groin Injury Prevention Program) protocol, developed at EPA to help reduce the risk of initial and recurrent groin injuries
• Movement retraining to correct biomechanics that place extra stress on the hip and groin
• Education on activity modification and load management during recovery

Related Articles