In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about hip bursitis and the most effective ways to treat it, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Key Takeaways
- Hip bursitis is inflammation of the bursa in the hip, causing pain, swelling, and limited movement.
- Avoid high-impact and intense lower-body exercises to prevent aggravating the condition; opt for low-impact alternatives.
- Physical therapy, proper posture, and preventive strategies are essential for recovery and long-term hip health.
Understanding Hip Bursitis: Causes and Symptoms
Hip bursitis occurs when the bursa—a small, fluid-filled sac that cushions the hip joint—becomes inflamed. Causes include repetitive motions, prolonged sitting, injury, arthritis, surgery, and bone spurs. Symptoms are joint pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the hip.
Risk factors:
- Repetitive stress or overuse
- Spine disorders, arthritis, or leg length discrepancies
- Previous hip surgery
- Bone spurs
Exercises to Avoid with Hip Bursitis
High-Impact Workouts
Avoid running, jumping, and high-impact aerobics, as these can worsen inflammation and pain. Even cycling with poor form may aggravate symptoms. Instead, choose low-impact activities like swimming or using an elliptical machine.
Intense Lower Body Movements
Steer clear of deep squats, leg presses, lateral lunges, and single-leg squats. These exercises put excessive pressure on the hip bursa. Safer alternatives include leg extensions, hamstring curls, and glute bridges.
Aggressive Foam Rolling Techniques
Avoid vigorous foam rolling directly over the outer hip. Instead, gently target surrounding muscle groups (hip flexors, hamstrings, quadriceps) to relieve tension without irritating the bursa.
Tips for Managing Hip Bursitis Pain During Exercise
- Warm up with light cardio and dynamic stretching (5–10 minutes).
- Focus on gentle stretches: hip flexor, glute, hamstring, quadriceps, and calf stretches.
- Stop any exercise that causes pain or discomfort.
- Use proper form and floor mats for cushioning.
- Incorporate rest days and ice packs to reduce inflammation.
The Role of Physical Therapy in Hip Bursitis Recovery
Physical therapy provides individualized exercises and treatments to reduce pain, improve joint function, and prevent recurrence. Therapists may use stretching, strengthening, ultrasound, cold therapy, and electrotherapy to support recovery.
Prolotherapy for Hip Bursitis
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat hip bursitis.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This stimulates the production of collagen cells, which are essential for repairing the damage and helping hip bursitis.
As prolotherapy treats the root cause of hip bursitis, it is considered a long-term solution, preventing symptoms from returning.
How to Prevent Hip Bursitis from Recurring
- Strengthen and stretch hip muscles (hip flexors, gluteal bridge, clamshell, side leg lifts, standing abduction).
- Maintain good posture and ergonomic alignment at home and work.
- Keep a healthy weight and wear supportive shoes.
When to Seek Medical Assistance
Seek medical help if symptoms persist beyond 1–2 weeks, worsen, or interfere with daily activities. Severe pain, limited movement, fever, or chills require prompt evaluation. Treatments may include anti-inflammatories, corticosteroid injections, or other interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bursitis of the hip?
Hip bursitis is inflammation of the bursa—small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip joint—causing pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
What is the fastest way to heal bursitis of the hip?
Rest, apply ice, use anti-inflammatory medications, and perform gentle stretching. If symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional for further treatment options.
Should I stop exercising if I have hip bursitis?
You don’t need to stop all activity, but avoid exercises that cause pain or discomfort in the hip. Focus on low-impact movements and listen to your body.
What worsens hip bursitis?
Prolonged sitting or lying down, repetitive activities like climbing stairs, and high-impact or deep flexion exercises can worsen symptoms.
What is the best exercise for hip bursitis?
The clamshell exercise is highly recommended. Lie on your side with knees and feet together, lift your top knee while keeping feet touching, hold for 6 seconds, then lower. Repeat 8–12 times.
Case Study: Prolotherapy for Hip Bursitis
Case: A 60-year-old avid walker with chronic hip bursitis unresponsive to physical therapy and NSAIDs underwent three sessions of Prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic. The patient reported a 75% reduction in pain and returned to daily walks within two months, demonstrating the potential of regenerative treatments for persistent hip bursitis.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let hip bursitis control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
Phone: +44 1234 380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
Our Clinic Locations
London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating hip bursitis, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with hip bursitis and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
LinkedIn profile: Oliver Eaton
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