Hip pain? Stay active and in control
Stiffness getting out of the car, an ache on the walk up from the Broadway, or pain lying on your side at night. Hip pain is common from mid-life, and the right plan keeps most people walking, gardening and playing for years.
★★★★★ 5-star Google reviews from our Crouch End patients
Quick answer: Most hip pain comes from early joint changes or the tendons on the outside of the hip, and both respond well to strengthening. Exercise is the core treatment NICE recommends for hip osteoarthritis. Our Crouch End clinic inside Equal Results, 56 Crouch End Hill, N8 8AA, can assess you, often the same day.
The common causes
Hip arthritis
Groin and front of hip
Stiffness putting on socks and pain on longer walks.
Outside hip pain
Gluteal tendinopathy
Pain lying on that side, on stairs and standing on one leg.
Hip flexor strain
Front of the hip
After sprinting, kicking or a jump in training.
Pain from the back
Buttock and thigh
Changes with back movements and sitting.
Hip arthritis on an X-ray does not decide how much you can do. Strong muscles around the hip and good movement make a bigger difference to pain and function than the scan, which is why exercise is the first treatment.
This video shows simple ways to keep your hip joint moving.
How to improve hip joint flexibility
Struggling with walks or stairs?
Book at our Crouch End clinic, often the same day.
What helps
- A clear explanation of what is going on
- Progressive strength for the glutes, thighs and core in the gym at Equal Results
- Hands-on treatment and acupuncture where they ease pain
- Walking and activity plans that build back gradually
- Help deciding about injections or surgery, and rehab if you have it
Exercise
is the core treatment for hip osteoarthritis
NICE NG226, 2022
Better
results from education and exercise than a steroid injection at 1 year for outside hip pain
Mellor et al, BMJ 2018
~5
sessions is typical for our patients to reach their goals
BOOST PHYSIO patient data
Feeling unsteady on your feet?
Feeling unsteady on your feet often goes with hip weakness. Balance training helps both.
When to seek medical advice
- Hip pain after a fall, especially if you cannot take weight
- A hot, swollen, very painful joint with fever
- Pain that wakes you every night and is getting worse
- Unexplained weight loss with hip or back pain
Meet your Crouch End physios
Finlay and Martin both treat hip pain, from arthritis to sports injuries.
Finlay McDonald
Senior Physiotherapist
Finlay treats sports injuries, back and neck pain and guides patients through rehab after surgery.
Martin Sarembock
Senior Physiotherapist
Martin has an MPhil in Sports Physiotherapy and professional rugby experience, and treats injuries of every kind.
What our Crouch End patients say
★★★★★
“I went in to get some rehab work on a pretty badly sprained ankle. Finlay was great at assessing the damage and putting together an exercise regimen to rebuild strength.”
★★★★★
“I’ve had a couple of sessions with Finlay and highly recommend him. He’s very knowledgeable and explains things in the way that’s easily understandable.”
★★★★★
“I found my sessions with Finlay really beneficial. Not only is he a very knowledgeable practitioner but he also has a really warm manner, which instantly put me - a first time physio patient - at ease.”
Watch: hip exercises
Short videos our physios use with hip patients.
Tight hips? This 30 second stretch
Exercises for pain on the outside of the hip
One clinic, the experience of a whole team
Something our patients don’t always realise is how much support sits behind each physio. Our team trains together twice a month and every physio has a dedicated mentor who reviews cases with them, so when you see us in Crouch End you get the experience of the whole BOOST PHYSIO group.
- Same day appointments, seven days a week across our clinics
- No GP referral needed
- Recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva
Prefer another clinic? Book at BOOST PHYSIO Muswell Hill, Kentish Town or East Finchley, or read more about hip pain physio and arthritis physio.
Get moving comfortably again
Book at BOOST PHYSIO Crouch End, Equal Results, 56 Crouch End Hill, N8 8AA.
Related reading
Your questions answered
Where is your Crouch End clinic?
Inside Equal Results at 56 Crouch End Hill, N8 8AA, a short walk from the Clock Tower.
Will exercise wear out my hip?
No. The right exercise reduces pain and improves function in hip arthritis. Some discomfort during exercise is normal and we will guide how much is fine.
Do I need a hip replacement?
Many people manage well without one. If you are considering surgery we can help you prepare and rehab you afterwards.
Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?
No. You can book directly with us online, by phone or on WhatsApp. If you are claiming on private medical insurance, check with your insurer first, as some ask for a GP or specialist referral.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and your goals. On average our patients reach their goals in around 5 sessions, and we will give you an honest estimate at your first appointment in Crouch End.
Written and clinically reviewed by Steven Berkman, BSc Physiotherapy (University of Cape Town), HCPC-registered chartered physiotherapist, MCSP, founder of BOOST PHYSIO in 2008, with Finlay McDonald and Martin Sarembock at BOOST PHYSIO Crouch End. Last reviewed 12 November 2026.
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Osteoarthritis in over 16s (NG226). 2022.
- Mellor R et al. Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection use versus a wait and see approach for gluteal tendinopathy. BMJ 2018;361:k1662.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, book an assessment or speak to your GP. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, call 111 or 999.
