Physical Therapy for Hip & Pelvic Alignment Issues

What Does It Mean When Your Hips Feel "Out of Alignment"?

One hip may feel tighter or less comfortable than the other, or you may notice that you tend to stand with more weight on one leg. These differences are sometimes described as being "out of alignment."

That feeling doesn't necessarily mean your hip or pelvis has moved out of place. Tightness, weakness, limited joint movement, an old injury, or the way you've adapted to pain can all affect your hip alignment and the way you move.

Hip problems don't always stay in one spot, either. You may have pelvic pain, soreness around the buttocks or groin, or lower back pain along with your hip symptoms.

During your evaluation, we'll look at your hips, pelvis, lower back, and legs to see what's happening when you perform the movements that have been giving you trouble.

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What Have You Started Doing Differently?

Hip problems can change little things throughout the day. You may push off the armrest every time you get out of a chair, take the stairs differently, or always stand with your weight on the same leg.

You may also notice:

• Getting in or out of the car bothers your hip or groin.
• One hip feels tighter than the other.
• You notice yourself limping or shortening your stride.
• Stairs have become uncomfortable.
• Squatting or bending doesn't feel even.
• Your hip starts hurting after you've been sitting or standing for a while.
• Exercise brings on hip or pelvic discomfort.
• You keep shifting your weight away from one side.
• Your lower back or buttocks hurt along with your hip.
• One side doesn't feel as strong or steady as the other.

These changes don't automatically mean something is wrong with your alignment. They do give us useful information about where you're having trouble and how your pelvic movement or hip function may have changed.

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Physical Therapy for Hip & Pelvic Dysfunction

Physical Therapy San Antonio

We'll want to see the movements that are giving you trouble. That might mean watching you walk, squat, balance on one leg, step up, or move your hip in different directions. What we find helps us decide where treatment should start.

A pelvic dysfunction or hip problem can involve more than one area, so we'll also pay attention to what's happening at your lower back, knees, or feet when it matters. From there, your visits may include exercises, hands-on treatment, or other therapies that make sense for what you're dealing with.

Therapeutic Exercise

Hip strengthening doesn't need to start with complicated exercises. We'll choose movements based on where you're having trouble and build from there.

As you improve, we can work toward the things your hip actually needs to handle, whether that's stairs, longer walks, workouts, lifting, running, or getting through a day on your feet.

Orthopedic Joint Mobilization & Manipulations

If your hip or lower back isn't moving comfortably, your therapist may consider joint mobilization or manipulation. These techniques aren't about putting your hip "back into place." We use them when limited joint movement is something we need to address during treatment.

Manual Therapy

If your hip, pelvis, or lower back feels especially tight or stiff, your therapist may use hands-on treatment to work with those areas before or alongside your exercises.

Functional Dry Needling

Muscles around a painful hip can become tight or tender, especially when you've been moving differently for a while. Functional dry needling may be considered when those areas are getting in the way of comfortable movement.

Custom Orthotics

Your therapist may also look at what happens at your feet when you stand and walk. If foot position appears to be affecting movement farther up the leg, custom orthotics may be considered for additional support.

Kinesiology Taping

Kinesiology tape may provide additional support or movement feedback throughout your day. If your therapist thinks it could be useful for what you're working on, it may be included alongside your exercises and other treatment.

Strain Counterstrain Technique

A hip that's been bothering you for a while may have tender areas around the hip, pelvis, or lower back. Strain counterstrain uses gentle positioning to work with those areas without pushing you through a painful position.

Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim)

Electrical stimulation is another option your therapist may consider during rehabilitation. Whether we use it will depend on what we're working on during your visits.

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You Don't Have to Move Perfectly to Move Well

The two sides of your body aren't expected to look or move exactly the same. A small difference in how you stand doesn't automatically mean you have an alignment problem that needs correcting.

What matters more is what happens when you move. If hip alignment issues, weakness, stiffness, or pain are making it harder to walk, work, exercise, or get through your normal routine, that's where we'll put our attention.

As treatment progresses, we'll keep returning to the activities that brought you in. Being able to take the stairs more comfortably, walk farther, get through a workout, or stand without constantly shifting your weight tells us much more than whether your hips look perfectly even.

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