Hip pain treatment in Wokingham, Berkshire

Hip pain can make walking, climbing stairs and sleeping difficult, and often refers into the groin, buttock or thigh. At the Wokingham Therapy Clinic, our therapists offer effective treatments to relieve pain, improve mobility and address the underlying cause.

On this page

1. Common causes of hip pain
2. Symptoms
3. How we treat hip pain
4. Research and evidence
5. Self-help advice
6. Our acupuncturist

1. Common causes of hip pain

• Osteoarthritis – wear of the hip joint, common with age
• Bursitis – inflammation of the fluid-filled sac on the outside of the hip (trochanteric bursitis)
• Gluteal tendinopathy – degeneration of the tendons on the outside of the hip
• Hip impingement (FAI) and labral problems
• Referred pain from the lower back and sacroiliac joint
• Muscle strains and overuse from sport or sudden increases in activity

2. Symptoms

• Pain in the groin, outer hip, buttock or thigh
• Stiffness and reduced range of movement, particularly in the morning
• Pain when walking, climbing stairs or rising from a chair
• Pain lying on the affected side at night
• A limp or altered walking pattern
• Clicking, catching or a feeling of weakness in the hip

3. How we treat hip pain

Acupuncture

Acupuncture relieves hip pain by reducing inflammation in and around the joint, releasing tight muscles in the buttock and thigh, improving blood flow and stimulating the body's own pain-relieving mechanisms. It is particularly useful for the pain of hip osteoarthritis and bursitis.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy uses targeted strengthening and mobility exercises – especially for the gluteal muscles – which have strong evidence for hip osteoarthritis and tendinopathy, alongside gait and movement retraining.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy assesses the hip together with the lower back and pelvis, freeing restrictions and improving the biomechanics that often contribute to hip pain.

Sports massage

Sports massage releases tight muscles around the hip and pelvis and treats trigger points that refer pain into the hip and thigh.

4. Research and evidence

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMJ Open found that acupuncture improved pain and physical function in people with hip osteoarthritis. For hip pain more broadly, exercise therapy is strongly supported by clinical guidelines as a first-line treatment, and is a cornerstone of physiotherapy management.

5. Self-help advice

• Keep gently active – walking and swimming maintain mobility without overloading the joint
• Strengthen the gluteal and thigh muscles with appropriate exercises
• Avoid sitting with crossed legs or lying on the painful side at night
• Use a cushion between the knees when sleeping on your side
• Apply heat to ease stiffness and muscle tension
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce load on the hip

Our acupuncturist

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto BM (Beijing), BSc (Hons) TCM, MBAcC, MRCHM

Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto has been practising acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for over 25 years. He is passionate about empowering people with the ancient knowledge of Chinese medicine through lifestyle and diet.

Dr (TCM) D'Alberto graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China – a full-time, five-year degree programme that included six months of clinical internship at two of the largest hospitals in Beijing.

Dr (TCM) D'Alberto practises acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping from his own acupuncture clinic in Wokingham. He is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and practises traditional Chinese acupuncture.