Physio Bangkok/Conditions
Hip Pain Physiotherapy in Bangkok
Hip pain is pain in or around the hip joint, and where you feel it (the side, the groin or the buttock) often points to the cause. At Aspire Physio Bangkok our physiotherapists work out what’s driving it, then use hands-on care and progressive strength work on the gym floor to get you moving comfortably again. The clinic is on the 2nd floor of Jasmine Building, Sukhumvit Soi 23, a short walk from Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT, and your first consultation is free. Book through our contact page or call 082-281-8009.
- Free first consultation
- Licensed physiotherapists
- English and Thai
- Sukhumvit 23, near Asok BTS
Your physio team
Licensed physiotherapists who assess and treat you themselves, in English or Thai, from treatment through to the gym floor.
At a glance
| Pain on the side of the hip | Most often gluteal tendinopathy, which affects about one in four women over 50 |
|---|---|
| Pain in the groin | Often the joint itself: osteoarthritis in older adults, FAI syndrome or a labral tear in younger active adults |
| Pain in the buttock | Can come from the hip, an irritated sciatic nerve or the lower back |
| Hip osteoarthritis | Affects 6.7% to 9.7% of adults over 45. Tailored exercise is a core treatment |
| Exercise or injection? | For gluteal tendinopathy, education plus exercise beat a steroid injection on overall improvement at 8 weeks and 1 year |
| Typical rehab length | At least 3 months of exercise-based care for hip-related pain in active adults |
What causes hip pain
Your hip is a ball and socket joint surrounded by the glutes, the hip flexors at the front and the adductors on the inner thigh. Pain can come from the joint, from those muscles and tendons, or from elsewhere, such as your lower back [1].
Where you feel it is a clue
- Side of the hip. Most often greater trochanteric pain syndrome, which usually means gluteal tendinopathy [1].
- Groin or front of the hip. More often the joint itself: osteoarthritis in older adults, and FAI syndrome or a labral tear in younger active adults. Hip flexor strains also hurt here [1], and groin pain with tender inner-thigh muscles points to the adductors [2].
- Buttock. Pain here can come from the lower back, the sacroiliac joint, an irritated sciatic nerve or the hamstring tendon. If it comes with low back pain or a history of back trouble, the back may be the source [1]. Our back pain physiotherapy page covers that.
- Thigh or knee. Hip problems can sometimes be felt in the thigh or knee. NHS advice flags this for children in particular [3].
The main causes in plain English
Gluteal tendinopathy is irritation of the tendons that attach your glutes to the side of the hip. It’s often still called trochanteric bursitis, but scans and surgery show the tendons are usually the main problem [4]. It affects an estimated 10% to 25% of people, including one in four women over 50 [5], and is most common in women aged 40 to 60 [1]. Compression is thought to play a part. When the hip drops inward, the tendons get squeezed against the bone [4]. Crossing your legs, low chairs, standing with your weight on one leg and a sudden jump in activity are common triggers [6].
Hip osteoarthritis is a long-term joint condition that usually comes on gradually. It affects 6.7% to 9.7% of adults over 45 [1].
FAI syndrome (femoroacetabular impingement) is when the ball and socket meet too early during certain movements, because of extra bone on the ball (cam shape) or extra cover from the socket (pincer shape). Over time this can damage the labrum and cartilage [7]. Many people have these shapes without pain, so the shape alone isn’t a diagnosis [8]. With hip dysplasia and labral or cartilage problems, it’s one of the most common causes of hip-related pain in young and middle-aged active adults [9].
Hip flexor and adductor strains are muscle and tendon injuries at the front of the hip or inner thigh. They usually follow intense or repetitive exercise [10] or a specific moment in sport [1].
Symptoms
The pattern of pain helps narrow down the cause:
- Gluteal tendinopathy: pain on the outside of the hip that may spread into the thigh [6][10]. Lying on that side often disturbs sleep, and walking and stairs can hurt [4]. Long sitting, getting up from a chair and crossing your legs can set it off [6].
- Hip osteoarthritis: pain that builds gradually and can lead to the hip losing some movement [1]. It’s usually worse when walking, with stiffness after moving [10].
- FAI syndrome: hip or groin pain with certain movements or positions, from vigorous sport to sitting for a long time. Pain can spread to the back, buttock or thigh, and clicking, catching, locking or stiffness are common [8].
- Hip flexor or adductor strain: pain at the front of the hip or inner thigh that’s worse when you lift your knee or squeeze your legs together against resistance, with tenderness over the muscle [1][2].
- Pain from the lower back or a nerve: low back and buttock pain together. Burning pain shooting down the leg (sciatica) points to an irritated nerve [1].
Problems often overlap. Up to 35% of people with low back pain also have greater trochanteric pain syndrome [6], so we assess your back as well as your hip.
When to see a doctor first
Most hip pain isn’t serious, but some causes need a doctor before physio. Get medical help first if:
- You’ve had a fall or injury and have severe pain, or you can’t walk or put weight on the leg. This can be a hip fracture, which is more common in older adults, and the leg may look shorter and turned outwards [1]. Call an ambulance (1669 in Thailand) or go to an emergency department [10].
- Your hip is hot and swollen, or you have a high temperature or feel unwell. These can be signs of a joint infection [10].
- Your pain is worse at night and comes with unexplained weight loss or a lump. These need a doctor’s check [11]. Tumours and infections are rare causes of hip pain, but they have to be ruled out [9].
- You’re a runner with groin pain that keeps getting worse with training. This can be a stress fracture of the femoral neck, the top of the thigh bone. It’s linked to overuse and, in athletes, to not eating enough for the training load. It often needs an MRI to show up and can progress to a complete fracture [1]. Stop running and see a doctor.
- A child or teenager has a limp or pain in the hip, thigh or knee. They need a doctor promptly. Causes include an infected joint, a fracture and Perthes’ disease [3], and in teenagers a slipped growth plate at the top of the thigh bone (slipped capital femoral epiphysis) [2].
- Severe pain came on suddenly without a fall, or you have tingling or loss of feeling in the hip or leg after an injury [10].
- Hip stiffness lasts more than 30 minutes after waking. That’s worth a GP visit [10].
Our physiotherapists screen for these at your first visit and will tell you if you need to see a doctor. We can recommend clinics nearby.
Your first consultation is free. A physiotherapist will assess you properly and explain what’s going on, with no pressure to book more.
The stages of hip pain rehab
Hip rehab follows the same broad phases whatever the cause, though a tendon, a joint and a strained muscle each need different loading. Timeframes are typical ranges from research programmes and guidance.
| Phase | Typical timeframe | What you notice | What rehab focuses on | We move on when you can |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Settle and modify load | Typically the first 1 to 2 weeks. In the LEAP trial programme, week 1 was spent getting used to low-load exercise [4]. | Pain is easily stirred up. With gluteal tendinopathy, lying on that side, crossing your legs or sitting for a long time may hurt [6]. With a joint problem, certain positions or longer walks bring it on [10][8]. | A clear explanation of what’s going on. Cutting back positions that squeeze a sore tendon: no crossing your legs, no hanging on one hip, avoiding very low chairs, and sleeping on your back or your good side with a pillow between your legs [6]. Gentle static (isometric) holds for the hip muscles [4]. Staying active without overdoing it [10]. Hands-on treatment if it helps you move. | Sleep is improving. Everyday tasks cause pain that settles quickly. Low-load exercise doesn’t leave you worse that night or the next morning [4]. |
| 2. Build glute and hip strength | Typically from week 2 to around week 8 in a structured programme [4]. For hip-related pain in active adults, exercise-based care should run for at least 3 months [12]. | Pain is less frequent. You can walk further and manage stairs better. The sore side is still weaker. | Progressive strengthening of the glutes and hip abductors: bridges, squats and side-stepping, then single-leg versions and slow, heavier resisted work, avoiding exercises that pull the hip inward under load [4]. For osteoarthritis, local muscle strengthening and general aerobic fitness [13]. For adductor problems, strength and coordination work for the muscles around the pelvis [14]. | Any pain during exercise eases afterwards and isn’t worse that night or the next morning [4]. You can stand on the affected leg with your pelvis level. Strength is getting closer to the other side. |
| 3. Functional and heavier loading | Typically once the first 8 weeks or so of structured loading are done [4]. For pain on the side of the hip, symptoms take 6 to 9 months on average to improve, sometimes longer [6]. | Good days outnumber bad ones. Some soreness after a long day or a harder session. | Heavier strength training on the gym floor. Single-leg control. The movements your day or sport needs, such as stairs, lunges, lifting and turning. Building up walking, cycling or swimming. | You can get through normal days and gym sessions without a flare. Single-leg strength and control are close to the other side. |
| 4. Return to running or sport | Varies widely with the cause and the sport. In one trial, athletes with long-standing adductor-related groin pain trained for 8 to 12 weeks [14]. Physical activity, including sport, is recommended for hip-related pain [12]. | Little or no pain day to day. You’re ready to test faster, harder or longer efforts. | A graded return to running, sprinting, change of direction, kicking or jumping, building volume and speed step by step. Strength work carries on alongside. | You can train at your normal level without pain building over the next day or two, and you know how to adjust if it flares. |
The phases overlap, and a busy week can set you back a little. We progress you on how your hip responds, not on the calendar. Learning to manage load matters as well: the LEAP trial authors suggested their education on load management may explain much of the programme’s benefit [5].
How we treat hip pain
Every client at Aspire Physio Bangkok is assessed and treated by one of our three licensed physiotherapists, in English or Thai. Our approach is corrective rehab through exercise. Hands-on treatment can help settle pain early, and the lasting change comes from strength and load work we progress on the gym floor in the same building.
Find the cause
Your first session is a full assessment. We map where the pain is, check your lower back, and test hip movement, strength and single-leg control [1]. We don’t do scans in the clinic, so if you need imaging or a doctor’s review, we’ll tell you and recommend clinics nearby.
Settle the pain
For gluteal tendinopathy, we first take pressure off the tendon by changing how you sit, stand and sleep [4][6]. We skip the ITB and piriformis stretches often given for it, because they hold the hip in the position that compresses the tendon, and use gentle static holds instead [4]. For a sore joint or a strain, we adjust walking, sitting and sport so you stay active without tipping into a flare [10].
Hands-on manual therapy, such as soft tissue work and joint mobilisation, may help you move more comfortably early on, but it isn’t a treatment on its own. For hip osteoarthritis, NICE says to consider it only alongside exercise, and advises against dry needling and laser therapy [13], so the focus stays on exercise.
Build the strength
For gluteal tendinopathy we progress from low-load glute work to bridges, squats, side-stepping and single-leg exercises, then slow, heavier resisted hip work [4]. In the LEAP trial, 14 physio sessions of education and exercise over 8 weeks did better than a steroid injection on overall improvement. At 8 weeks, 77% rated themselves moderately to very much better, against 58% after the injection and 29% with wait and see. At one year, 51 of 65 people in the exercise group rated themselves better, against 36 of 63 after the injection, though average pain was similar between those two groups by then [5].
For hip osteoarthritis, NICE lists tailored therapeutic exercise as a core treatment, with education and weight management where needed, and advises warning people that joint pain may increase when they start [13]. A Cochrane review found exercise reduced pain and improved function, with the benefit lasting at least 3 to 6 months after supervised treatment ended [15].
For long-standing adductor-related groin pain, a trial of 68 athletes found active strength and coordination training for the muscles around the pelvis got 23 back to sport without groin pain, against 4 with passive physio treatment [14].
FAI syndrome: physio first, surgery if needed
An international consensus recommends at least 3 months of exercise-based treatment for hip-related pain in active adults, with education and shared decisions about your options [12]. In the UK FASHIoN trial, both hip arthroscopy and physio-led care (6 to 10 sessions over 12 to 24 weeks) improved hip-related quality of life at 12 months. Surgery improved it more on average, while physio-led care was more cost-effective over that year [7]. Surgery is a decision for an orthopaedic surgeon, and we’ll refer you for that conversation if rehab isn’t helping enough.
Get back to what you do
The last phase is built around your goals, from running and football to long walks without pain. If your hip pain started with sport, our sports injury rehab page has more on return to play.
How long it takes and how many sessions
It depends on the cause, how long you’ve had it and how much your hip has to do each day. For reference:
- Gluteal tendinopathy: the LEAP programme was 14 sessions over 8 weeks, weekly for 2 weeks and then twice weekly, with daily home exercise [5][4]. NHS guidance says symptoms can take 6 to 9 months on average to improve, sometimes longer [6].
- FAI syndrome and hip-related pain: at least 3 months of exercise-based care is recommended [12]. In UK FASHIoN, people attended 6 physio sessions on average [7].
- Hip osteoarthritis: NICE suggests considering supervised exercise sessions [13]. The aim is a programme you can keep going yourself.
- Long-standing adductor-related groin pain: 8 to 12 weeks of active training in the key trial [14].
It varies a lot from person to person. After your first session your physiotherapist will give you a plan with an estimated number of sessions and review it as you go. We can’t promise a timeline, but we’ll tell you plainly what to expect.
What you can do at home
- Keep moving, but don’t overdo it. NHS advice is to keep moving if you can, without putting too much strain on the hip [10].
- Take pressure off the side of the hip. If the outside of your hip hurts, avoid crossing your legs, standing with your weight on one leg and very low chairs [6]. Low chairs put extra pressure on sore hips in general [10].
- Change how you sleep. Try lying on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your good side with the sore hip up and a pillow between your legs [6].
- Break up long spells of sitting or standing. Change position often. Swimming or cycling can keep you fit while walking or running is sore [6].
- Use simple pain relief if you need it. An ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes can help, and a pharmacist or doctor can advise on painkillers [10].
- Manage your weight if that applies to you. For hip osteoarthritis, any weight loss is likely to help, and losing 10% of body weight is likely to be better than 5% [13].
Your physiotherapist will set your specific exercises after the assessment, matched to the cause and to how irritable your hip is right now.
Cost and insurance
Your first consultation is free. Treatment sessions start from ฿1,600. If you have health insurance, you can claim with your insurer, and we’ll supply the documents your provider asks for. It’s worth checking your policy’s physiotherapy cover before you start. See our insurance claims page for how claiming works.
Your physiotherapists
Your knee is treated by one of our licensed physiotherapists: Boom Namsak, who is both a physiotherapist and a strength coach, Gino Udomthanakij, or Som Benjaprasertsri. They all work in English and Thai, and they all coach the gym-floor part of your rehab themselves.
Common questions
Is hip bursitis the same as gluteal tendinopathy?
Mostly, yes. Pain on the outside of the hip used to be blamed on an inflamed bursa, but scans and surgery show the gluteal tendons are usually the main problem. Doctors often use the umbrella term greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Whatever it’s called, the best-supported treatment so far is the same: taking compression off the tendon in daily life and gradually strengthening the glutes.
Should I get a steroid injection for hip pain?
That’s a decision to make with your doctor, but for gluteal tendinopathy education and exercise did better in a trial of 204 people. In the LEAP trial, an injection helped at 8 weeks, but education plus exercise helped more people at 8 weeks and at one year, though average pain was similar by one year. For hip osteoarthritis, NICE says a joint injection can be considered when other medicines aren’t working or are unsuitable, or to support exercise. We don’t give injections ourselves.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI for hip pain?
Often not at the start. NICE advises that hip osteoarthritis can usually be diagnosed from your symptoms without imaging if you’re 45 or over. Imaging is used when the picture is unusual, when a fracture or stress fracture is suspected, or when surgery is being considered. We don’t do imaging at the clinic, but we’ll tell you if you need a scan and can recommend clinics nearby.
Can physiotherapy help hip osteoarthritis?
Yes. NICE lists tailored therapeutic exercise as a core treatment for everyone with osteoarthritis, along with education and weight management where it applies. A Cochrane review found that land-based exercise reduced hip pain and improved function, and the pain benefit lasted at least 3 to 6 months after supervised treatment ended. Your physio sets the right mix of strength and aerobic work for your hip and progresses it as you improve.
Do I need surgery for hip impingement (FAI)?
Not necessarily, and many people start with physio. An international consensus recommends at least 3 months of exercise-based treatment for hip-related pain in active adults. In the UK FASHIoN trial, both arthroscopy and physio-led care improved hip-related quality of life at 12 months, with surgery improving it more on average. Whether surgery suits you is a decision for an orthopaedic surgeon, and we’ll refer you if rehab isn’t helping enough.
Why does my hip hurt when I lie on my side at night?
Lying on the sore side presses the gluteal tendons against the bone on the outside of your hip, which is a classic sign of gluteal tendinopathy. Lying on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your good side with a pillow between your legs, often helps. If night pain comes with unexplained weight loss, a lump or feeling unwell, see a doctor first.
Can hip pain come from my back?
Yes, pain in the buttock and back of the hip can be referred from the lower back. It’s more likely if you also have low back pain or a history of back problems, and burning pain shooting down the leg suggests a nerve is involved. Back problems and side-of-hip pain also often happen together, so we check your back and your hip at the first assessment.
How much does hip pain physiotherapy cost in Bangkok?
Your first consultation at Aspire Physio Bangkok is free, and treatment sessions start from ฿1,600. We don’t bill insurers directly. You pay at the clinic and claim back using the dated receipts, consultation report and treatment plan we provide. Some insurers need a doctor’s referral first, and we can recommend clinics nearby.
References
Show 15 references
- Chamberlain R. Hip pain in adults: evaluation and differential diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(2):81-89. www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0115/p81
- Weir A, Brukner P, Delahunt E, Ekstrand J, Griffin D, Khan KM, et al. Doha agreement meeting on terminology and definitions in groin pain in athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(12):768-774. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094869
- NHS. Hip pain in children (irritable hip). NHS website. Page last reviewed 3 April 2024. www.nhs.uk/conditions/hip-pain-children-irritable-hip/
- Mellor R, Grimaldi A, Wajswelner H, Hodges P, Abbott JH, Bennell K, Vicenzino B. Exercise and load modification versus corticosteroid injection versus ‘wait and see’ for persistent gluteus medius/minimus tendinopathy (the LEAP trial): a protocol for a randomised clinical trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2016;17:196. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1043-6
- Mellor R, Bennell K, Grimaldi A, Nicolson P, Kasza J, Hodges P, Wajswelner H, Vicenzino B. Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection use versus a wait and see approach on global outcome and pain from gluteal tendinopathy: prospective, single blinded, randomised clinical trial. BMJ. 2018;361:k1662. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k1662
- NHS Lanarkshire. Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). Physiotherapy MSK patient information. Last updated 29 March 2023. www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/physiotherapy-msk/greater-troc
- Griffin DR, Dickenson EJ, Wall PDH, Achana F, Donovan JL, Griffin J, et al. Hip arthroscopy versus best conservative care for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (UK FASHIoN): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2018;391(10136):2225-2235. doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31202-9
- Griffin DR, Dickenson EJ, O’Donnell J, Agricola R, Awan T, Beck M, et al. The Warwick Agreement on femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAI syndrome): an international consensus statement. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(19):1169-1176. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096743
- Reiman MP, Agricola R, Kemp JL, Heerey JJ, Weir A, van Klij P, et al. Consensus recommendations on the classification, definition and diagnostic criteria of hip-related pain in young and middle-aged active adults from the International Hip-related Pain Research Network, Zurich 2018. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(11):631-641. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101453
- NHS. Hip pain in adults. NHS website. Page last reviewed 20 November 2025. www.nhs.uk/conditions/hip-pain/
- NHS. Symptoms of bone cancer. NHS website. Page last reviewed 20 May 2025. www.nhs.uk/conditions/bone-cancer/symptoms/
- Kemp JL, Risberg MA, Mosler A, Harris-Hayes M, Serner A, Moksnes H, et al. Physiotherapist-led treatment for young to middle-aged active adults with hip-related pain: consensus recommendations from the International Hip-related Pain Research Network, Zurich 2018. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(9):504-511. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101458
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG226. Published 19 October 2022. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226
- Hölmich P, Uhrskou P, Ulnits L, Kanstrup IL, Nielsen MB, Bjerg AM, Krogsgaard K. Effectiveness of active physical training as treatment for long-standing adductor-related groin pain in athletes: randomised trial. Lancet. 1999;353(9151):439-443. doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(98)03340-6
- Fransen M, McConnell S, Hernandez-Molina G, Reichenbach S. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(4):CD007912. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007912.pub2
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Book a knee assessment
Aspire Physio Bangkok is at Jasmine Building, 2nd Floor, Sukhumvit Road, Soi 23, a short walk from Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT. We’re open Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm. Bookings are required in advance. Book your free first consultation through our contact page or call 082-281-8009.