Is Hip Pain Holding You Back? Here’s How Medical Massage Can Help Naturally
- Sophie Ingram
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Can Medical Massage Therapy Relieve Hip Pain?
Yes—and not just by “relaxing” your muscles. If you're dealing with chronic or recurring hip pain, it’s time to understand what might really be causing it—and how a different approach to massage therapy can finally give you relief.
At True Health Centers in Arvada, CO, our medical massage therapists specialize in understanding the biomechanics behind pain, not just the symptoms. That’s why medical massage is often more effective than traditional spa massages, especially for stubborn hip pain.
What Causes Hip Pain?
Hip pain can come from many different sources, including some you may not expect. Here are the most common and lesser-known culprits:
Common Causes of Hip Pain:
Osteoarthritis – Age-related wear-and-tear of the joint
Hip bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint)
Tendonitis or muscle strain – Especially in the glutes, hamstrings, or hip flexors
Labral tears – Damage to the cartilage that surrounds the joint socket
Lesser-Known Causes of Hip Pain:
Sciatica – Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the hip and down the leg
Pelvic misalignment – From poor posture, injury, or pregnancy
Lumbar spine dysfunction – Issues in the low back that refer pain to the hip
Myofascial trigger points – Knotted muscle fibers that cause radiating pain
Here’s the kicker: The real source of your hip pain might not be in your hip at all.
Understanding the Kinetic Chain: Why the Problem May Not Be Where It Hurts
Your body is a kinetic chain—a connected system where each part affects the others. That
means hip pain might actually stem from dysfunction in your low back, knees, ankles, or even your feet.
Examples:
A tight hamstring or IT band pulling on the pelvis
Foot pronation (collapsed arches) altering gait mechanics and stressing the hips
A rotated sacrum causing uneven hip motion
Medical massage therapists trained in kinetic chain evaluation can identify these patterns and release the true source of tension.
What Are the Conventional Treatments for Hip Pain?
Traditional medicine often focuses on symptom management rather than root cause resolution. If you’ve been to a conventional provider for hip pain, you’ve likely encountered one or more of the following:
Common Conventional Treatments:
NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen): Reduce inflammation and pain but can cause gut irritation and don’t treat the underlying cause.
Corticosteroid Injections: Temporarily relieve inflammation in bursitis or arthritis, but repeated use may weaken surrounding tissues over time.
Physical Therapy (standard model): Often limited to general strengthening or mobility routines without hands-on work.
Rest and Ice: May ease acute flare-ups but often fails to resolve chronic dysfunction.
Surgery (Hip Arthroscopy or Replacement): Recommended for severe structural issues but comes with significant downtime, expense, and risk of complications.
Limitations of Conventional Care:
Focuses on localized treatment (just the hip) instead of full-body biomechanics
Often relies on temporary relief (medications, injections) rather than long-term healing
Typically lacks the interdisciplinary collaboration that’s needed to solve complex pain patterns
What Is Medical Massage?
Medical massage is a targeted, therapeutic approach performed by a trained practitioner who works alongside chiropractors and physical therapists. It is not the same as a relaxing spa massage.
Key Differences:
Spa Massage | Medical Massage |
Focuses on full-body relaxation | Targets specific pain patterns and dysfunction |
May use general strokes | Uses trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and deep tissue techniques |
Performed in a calm spa setting | Often part of an integrative clinical care plan |
Little to no anatomical assessment | Based on postural and biomechanical evaluation |
At True Health Centers, our massage therapists are trained alongside chiropractors and physical therapists—so they treat with function in mind, not just feeling.
How Medical Massage Helps Hip Pain
Release Trigger Points: Deep-seated knots in the glutes, piriformis, and hip flexors often refer pain to the hip or down the leg.
Improve Circulation: Promote healing and reduce inflammation in stiff or damaged tissues.
Restore Balance: Help reset postural imbalances and movement restrictions.
Support the Whole Kinetic Chain: Relieves tension from the lumbar spine to the feet.
When done regularly, medical massage also supports nervous system regulation, helping the body stay out of a constant pain-stress cycle.
Why Combine Massage with Chiropractic & Physical Therapy?
At True Health Centers, we know that no single therapy is enough to address chronic pain on its own. That’s why our programs often bundle:
Medical Massage Therapy to treat soft tissue tension and improve circulation
Chiropractic Adjustments to restore alignment and joint mobility
Dry Needling & Rehab Exercises to release trigger points and retrain movement
This trio offers the most comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal pain—especially for complex, recurring hip issues.
What You Can Expect from a Hip Pain Treatment Session
When you come to True Health Centers for hip pain:
We evaluate your posture, gait, and range of motion.
You’ll receive targeted massage techniques based on what your body actually needs—whether it’s gluteal release, iliopsoas work, or fascial stretching.
We may refer you to one of our chiropractors or physical therapists to address alignment or rehab needs.
You’ll leave with guidance—home stretches, hydration tips, and lifestyle advice.
Most people report less tension, more mobility, and better sleep after their first few sessions.
Don’t Ignore Hip Pain—It Won’t Fix Itself
Hip pain is easy to brush off until it starts limiting your movement, sleep, and energy. Early intervention with the right team can prevent:
Compensation injuries in the knees and low back
Long-term joint degeneration
Reduced independence and quality of life
The good news? You don’t need medication or surgery to start healing. You just need the right care.
Ask the Doctor: “How Do I Know If Medical Massage Is Right for My Hip Pain?”
Dr. Jason Winkelmann, ND, DC answers:“If your hip pain hasn’t responded to conventional treatment—or you’ve only tried stretching and pain relief creams—medical massage can be a game-changer. Especially when combined with chiropractic or physical therapy, it allows us to treat the root causes, not just the symptoms. If it hurts to sit, stand, walk, or sleep, it’s time to look deeper. We can help.”
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