Hip pain can affect much more than exercise. Walking, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, driving, or even sleeping on one side can become uncomfortable when your hip is painful or stiff.
If you are searching for hip pain treatment in Surrey, the first step is understanding that hip pain can have several possible causes. It may be related to the hip joint, muscles, tendons, previous injury, changes in activity, or other structures around the hip.
At Renew Physiotherapy, treatment is built around assessing the individual's symptoms, movement, strength, and functional needs rather than using the same approach for everyone. Renew provides physiotherapy services in Surrey and nearby communities including Cloverdale, Langley, South Surrey, Clayton, and Willoughby.

What Causes Hip Pain?

Hip pain can develop gradually or appear after an injury. Some common causes include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Muscle or tendon irritation
  • Sports injuries
  • Lateral hip pain
  • Previous hip injuries
  • Reduced hip mobility
  • Muscle weakness
  • Sudden increases in physical activity
  • Repetitive movements
  • Prolonged inactivity
The location and behaviour of the pain can provide useful information, but they do not always identify the exact cause. The NHS notes that hip pain can result from conditions ranging from strains and tendon problems to arthritis and injuries.

Common Types of Hip Pain

1. Hip Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can affect the hip joint and may cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty with movement.

Symptoms may become more noticeable when:

  • Walking
  • Climbing stairs
  • Standing for extended periods
  • Getting out of a chair
  • Getting in and out of a vehicle
  • Exercising

Physiotherapy may help people maintain mobility, improve strength, manage activity, and stay as physically active as possible.

For general information, see the NHS osteoarthritis guide.

2. Muscle and Tendon Problems

Muscles and tendons around the hip help control the pelvis and leg during walking, running, climbing, and other movements.

Repetitive activity or a sudden increase in workload may irritate these tissues.

You may notice pain when:

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Climbing stairs
  • Getting up from a chair
  • Exercising
  • Standing on one leg

Treatment depends on the specific structure involved and the severity of the symptoms.

3. Lateral Hip Pain

Pain on the outside of the hip can involve the tendons and other tissues around the greater trochanter.

It may become more noticeable when:

  • Lying on the painful side
  • Walking longer distances
  • Climbing stairs
  • Running
  • Standing on one leg
Physical therapy can address contributing factors such as hip strength, movement, activity levels, and functional limitations. ChoosePT notes that physical therapy for lateral hip bursitis can include individualized exercises, activity modification, mobility work, and strengthening.

4. Sports-Related Hip Pain

Runners and athletes can experience hip symptoms after changes in training or repetitive high-demand activities.

Possible triggers include:

  • Increasing running distance
  • Adding hill training
  • Sprinting
  • Jumping
  • Strength training
  • Sudden changes in direction
  • Returning to sport after a break
If hip pain is affecting your training, Renew's Sports Injury Management service can be incorporated into a rehabilitation plan.

Where Do You Feel Hip Pain?

The location of your symptoms can vary.

Front of the Hip

Pain around the front of the hip or groin may become noticeable during walking, sitting, lifting the leg, or other hip movements.

Side of the Hip

Pain on the outside of the hip may become worse with side-lying, walking, running, or stair climbing.

Back of the Hip

Pain around the buttocks or back of the hip can have several possible causes and may sometimes involve structures outside the hip joint.

Upper Thigh

Some hip conditions can produce discomfort that extends into the upper thigh.

Because symptoms can overlap, persistent pain is best assessed rather than diagnosed from location alone.

Hip Pain Treatment in Surrey at Renew Physiotherapy

At Renew Physiotherapy, physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement, strength, and function through individualized treatment plans. The clinic's Surrey physiotherapy service includes exercise therapy, manual therapy, rehabilitation, and movement-based care.

During an assessment, a physiotherapist may examine:

  • Hip range of motion
  • Muscle strength
  • Balance
  • Walking pattern
  • Functional movement
  • Previous injuries
  • Exercise and training habits
  • Work demands
  • Pain patterns

The findings can then help determine an appropriate rehabilitation approach.

How Can Physiotherapy Help Hip Pain?

Physiotherapy may focus on several areas depending on the individual's condition.

Exercise Therapy

A customized exercise program can improve the strength and capacity of the hips and lower body.

Exercises may target:

  • Glutes
  • Hip muscles
  • Core
  • Thigh muscles
  • Lower-leg muscles

The program can be progressively adjusted as your strength improves.

Mobility Exercises

If restricted movement contributes to your symptoms, appropriate mobility exercises may help improve comfortable hip movement.

Strengthening

Progressive strengthening can improve the ability of the hip and lower limb to handle everyday activities and exercise.

Manual Therapy

Depending on the assessment, hands-on techniques may be used to help manage symptoms or address movement restrictions.

Manual therapy is generally most useful when combined with active rehabilitation rather than being the entire treatment plan.

Activity Modification

You may not need to stop all physical activity.

Instead, your physiotherapist may help you modify:

  • Walking distance
  • Running volume
  • Exercise intensity
  • Stair use
  • Sports participation
  • Work activities

The aim is to maintain appropriate movement without repeatedly exceeding your current physical capacity.

Exercises for Hip Pain

The appropriate exercises depend on the cause of your symptoms.

Some rehabilitation programs may include:

Glute Bridges

Bridges can help develop glute strength and hip extension capacity.

Sit-to-Stand

This functional exercise can help improve strength for everyday movements.

Step-Ups

Step-ups can progressively challenge hip and lower-limb strength.

Side-Lying Hip Exercises

Controlled side-lying exercises can target muscles around the hip.

Hip Mobility Exercises

Gentle mobility exercises may be included when stiffness limits comfortable movement.

Exercises should be progressed gradually. If a particular exercise causes significant or worsening pain, stop and seek professional guidance.

Hip Pain When Walking

Walking is one of the first activities many people notice becoming difficult when hip pain develops.

You may experience discomfort:

  • After walking a certain distance
  • When walking uphill
  • During longer shopping trips
  • When walking quickly
  • After prolonged standing
The NHS recommends keeping moving where possible while avoiding excessive strain, and notes that physiotherapy can be part of treatment for hip pain.

If walking consistently causes pain, a physiotherapy assessment can help determine an appropriate level of activity and progression.

Hip Pain When Climbing Stairs

Stair climbing places considerable demand on the hips and legs.

Pain on stairs may be associated with:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Reduced hip mobility
  • Joint-related problems
  • Tendon irritation
  • Previous injury
  • Reduced physical capacity

Rather than repeatedly pushing through increasing pain, consider having the problem assessed so the contributing factors can be identified.

Hip Pain From Sitting

Some people experience hip discomfort after sitting for extended periods.

This can happen during:

  • Office work
  • Long drives
  • Studying
  • Working from home
  • Travel

Changing positions regularly and taking short movement breaks can reduce prolonged inactivity.

If sitting consistently produces pain or stiffness, a physiotherapist can assess whether mobility, strength, or another factor may be contributing.

Hip Pain After Exercise

Hip pain can sometimes appear after changing your exercise routine.

Common examples include:

  • Starting running
  • Increasing running distance
  • Adding squats
  • Increasing resistance
  • Adding hill training
  • Returning to sport
  • Increasing training frequency

A sudden increase in physical demand may exceed the body's current capacity.

Gradual progression gives the muscles, tendons, and other tissues more opportunity to adapt.

Active Rehabilitation for Hip Pain

Reducing pain is only one part of recovery. Restoring strength and functional capacity is also important.

Renew's Active Rehabilitation program uses guided exercise to improve strength, mobility, balance, and function. The clinic describes active rehabilitation as a movement-based approach used for sports injuries, chronic pain, workplace injuries, motor vehicle injuries, and post-surgical recovery.

A rehabilitation program may progress through:

Mobility → Strength → Balance → Functional movement → Activity-specific training

The exact progression should depend on your condition and recovery goals.

Can Shockwave Therapy Help Hip Pain?

Shockwave therapy may be used for selected musculoskeletal and tendon-related conditions.

Renew offers Shockwave Therapy as one of its physiotherapy treatment options.

However, shockwave therapy is not appropriate for every type of hip pain. An assessment should first determine whether the underlying condition is suitable for this treatment.

How Long Does Hip Pain Take to Improve?

There is no single recovery timeline.

It can depend on:

  • The underlying condition
  • Severity of symptoms
  • Duration of the problem
  • Previous injuries
  • Current activity levels
  • Strength and mobility
  • Work demands
  • Exercise habits
  • Response to treatment

Some mild problems improve relatively quickly, while chronic or more complex conditions may require longer-term management.

The goal should be progressive improvement in movement and function rather than simply waiting for symptoms to disappear.

When Should You See a Physiotherapist?

Consider professional assessment if your hip pain:

  • Persists for several weeks
  • Keeps returning
  • Affects walking
  • Makes stairs difficult
  • Limits exercise
  • Affects sleep
  • Interferes with work
  • Causes noticeable weakness
  • Is progressively worsening
The NHS recommends seeking medical advice when hip pain affects normal activities or sleep, is getting worse or keeps returning, or has not improved after home treatment.

When Is Hip Pain an Emergency?

Most hip pain is not an emergency. However, urgent medical assessment may be required if you experience:

  • Severe hip pain after a fall or significant injury
  • Inability to walk or put weight on the leg
  • Significant swelling
  • Visible deformity
  • Sudden severe pain
  • Loss of sensation
  • Significant weakness
  • A hot, swollen hip with fever or feeling unwell
These symptoms can indicate a more serious condition and should not be managed solely through exercises.

How to Prevent Recurring Hip Pain

You cannot prevent every hip problem, but several habits can help maintain physical capacity.

Stay Active

Regular movement can help maintain strength and mobility.

Strengthen Your Lower Body

Progressive strengthening can improve your ability to handle daily and sporting activities.

Increase Training Gradually

Avoid suddenly increasing running distance, weights, or exercise frequency.

Allow Recovery

Recovery between demanding activities gives your body time to adapt.

Address Recurring Symptoms

If the same hip pain repeatedly returns, getting assessed may help identify contributing factors.

Why Choose Renew Physiotherapy for Hip Pain in Surrey?

Renew Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic provides individualized physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Surrey and serves surrounding communities including Cloverdale, Langley, South Surrey, Clayton, and Willoughby.

The clinic's physiotherapy approach includes assessment, manual therapy, exercise programs, rehabilitation, and education.

Depending on your needs, treatment may involve:

  • Physiotherapy assessment
  • Exercise therapy
  • Mobility training
  • Strengthening
  • Manual therapy
  • Active rehabilitation
  • Sports rehabilitation
  • Movement education
If you are searching for hip pain treatment in Surrey, an individualized assessment can help determine which approach is appropriate for your symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best treatment for hip pain?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Physiotherapy, exercise, strengthening, mobility work, and activity modification may be appropriate for many musculoskeletal hip problems.

Can physiotherapy help hip pain?

Yes. Physiotherapy may help improve mobility, strength, movement control, and functional capacity depending on the underlying condition. ChoosePT describes physical therapy as an approach that can use hands-on care, education, and prescribed movement for hip conditions.

Can muscle weakness cause hip pain?

Muscle weakness can contribute to difficulty with certain movements and reduce the body's ability to handle physical demands. A physiotherapy assessment can identify relevant strength deficits.

Should I exercise with hip pain?

Exercise can be helpful for many hip conditions, but the appropriate type and intensity depend on the individual. Exercises should be introduced progressively.

Why does my hip hurt when walking?

Hip pain while walking can have several causes, including joint problems, tendon irritation, muscle weakness, previous injuries, or changes in physical activity.

When should I see a physiotherapist for hip pain?

Consider an assessment if symptoms persist, repeatedly return, interfere with walking or exercise, or affect your work or sleep.

Final Thoughts

Hip pain treatment in Surrey should begin with understanding what may be contributing to the symptoms.

Hip pain can be associated with joint conditions, muscle or tendon problems, sports injuries, reduced mobility, weakness, and changes in physical activity. Because the causes can differ, treatment should be individualized.

At Renew Physiotherapy, a structured rehabilitation approach can combine assessment, exercise, mobility work, strengthening, education, and appropriate hands-on treatment.

If hip pain is affecting walking, stairs, exercise, work, or everyday activities, professional assessment can help identify an appropriate path toward recovery.

Renew Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic

Address: 5722 176A Street, Surrey, BC V3S 4H2
Phone: (236) 450-0171
Email: Info@renewclinics.ca
For more information, visit the Renew Physiotherapy contact page