See Our Reviews:What Is Hip Bursitis?
Pain on the outside of your hip can make everyday activities uncomfortable. Walking, climbing stairs, sleeping on your side, or getting out of a chair may suddenly become painful. For some people, the pain starts after increasing their activity level or playing sports. For others, it develops gradually with no obvious injury.
Hip bursitis is one of the most common causes of pain on the outside of the hip. It happens when a small fluid-filled sac, called a bursa, becomes irritated and inflamed. The bursa acts like a cushion between the bones, muscles, and tendons, helping your hip move smoothly without friction.
Today, many people diagnosed with hip bursitis are also found to have Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS). This broader condition often involves irritation of the tendons around the hip as well as the bursa itself. A detailed assessment is the best way to find the source of your pain. This is important because these conditions share many symptoms. It helps you choose the right treatment.
At Pillars of Wellness, our Burlington physiotherapists take the time to understand what’s causing your hip pain. In our physiotherapy in Burlington, we first look at your movement, strength, and daily activities. Then, we create a personalized treatment plan. This plan aims to reduce pain, restore mobility, and help you enjoy your favorite activities again.
Signs and Symptoms of Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis usually starts with pain on the outside of the hip, but the symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people notice a sharp pain when they move, while others experience a constant ache that gradually becomes worse. The discomfort may come and go at first, but it can become more noticeable if the condition isn’t treated.
Common signs and symptoms of hip bursitis include:
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Pain on the outside of the hip
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Pain when lying on the affected side
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Pain that gets worse when walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods
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Tenderness when pressing on the outside of the hip
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Stiffness after sitting or resting
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Pain that spreads into the outer thigh
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Difficulty sleeping because of hip pain
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Reduced hip movement due to pain
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Discomfort during activities such as running, hiking, or climbing stairs
Some of these symptoms can happen with other issues, like Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS), gluteal tendinopathy, arthritis, or lower back pain. A complete physiotherapy assessment can find the source of your pain and decide the best treatment.
Common Causes of Hip Bursitis
Hip bursitis often develops because the tissues around the hip become irritated over time. While some people notice symptoms after a fall or direct injury, most cases develop gradually from repeated stress on the hip or changes in the way the hip moves.
Several factors can increase your risk of developing hip bursitis, including:
- Repetitive activities such as running, hiking, cycling, or climbing stairs
- Sleeping on the same side every night
- Weak hip muscles that place extra stress on the outside of the hip
- Poor movement patterns or changes in walking mechanics
- Previous hip, back, or knee injuries
- Leg length differences that affect the way you walk
- Arthritis or other conditions affecting the hip joint
- Age-related changes in the tendons and soft tissues around the hip
Although these factors can increase your risk, they don’t always cause hip bursitis on their own. A physiotherapy assessment helps identify the combination of factors contributing to your pain so your treatment can focus on the underlying cause rather than just relieving the symptoms.
How Physiotherapy Can Help Treat Hip Bursitis
Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for hip bursitis because it focuses on treating the cause of your pain, not just the symptoms. While rest or medication may provide temporary relief, they don’t always address the muscle weakness, movement patterns, or joint stiffness that may have contributed to the problem.
Your treatment plan will depend on the results of your assessment and may include:
- Pain management techniques to help reduce irritation and improve comfort
- Hands-on therapy to improve joint and soft tissue mobility when appropriate
- Strengthening exercises for the hip and gluteal muscles to improve support and stability
- Stretching exercises to improve flexibility and reduce tension around the hip
- Balance and movement retraining to improve walking, climbing stairs, and everyday movement
- Activity modification and education to help reduce irritation while staying active
- A personalized home exercise program to support your recovery between appointments
As your pain improves, your physiotherapist will gradually progress your exercises to help you return to walking, running, hiking, sports, work, and other daily activities safely. Our goal is not only to relieve your pain but also to reduce the risk of the symptoms returning.
Hip Bursitis Exercises
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to manage hip bursitis and reduce the chances of the pain returning. The right exercises can improve hip strength, increase flexibility, and reduce the stress placed on the irritated tissues around your hip. They also help improve the way your hip moves during everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, and getting out of a chair.
Depending on the cause of your symptoms, your physiotherapist may recommend exercises to:
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Improve strength in the gluteal and hip muscles
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Increase flexibility in the muscles around the hip
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Improve balance and walking mechanics
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Reduce stress on the outside of the hip during daily activities
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Build strength gradually before returning to sports or exercise
Although many hip bursitis exercises can be found online, not every exercise is right for every person. Some stretches or strengthening exercises can cause more irritation. This can happen if you start them too soon or do them wrong. A physiotherapy assessment finds the right exercises for your condition. It also decides when to make them harder.
A personalized exercise program is key to recovery. It can help relieve pain, improve function, and lower the chances of future flare-ups.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist for Hip Bursitis?
Mild hip pain may improve with rest and changes to your activity, but persistent pain often needs more than time to recover. If your symptoms last for weeks, keep returning, or affect your daily life, physiotherapy can help. It identifies the root cause and starts the right treatment early, so the problem doesn’t get worse.
You should consider seeing a physiotherapist if you:
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Have pain on the outside of your hip that doesn’t improve with rest
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Find it painful to sleep on the affected side
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Have difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods
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Notice your hip pain returning whenever you become more active
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Have weakness or reduced movement in your hip
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Are avoiding exercise, work, or hobbies because of your symptoms
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Have tried home exercises without lasting improvement
Early treatment can help reduce pain quickly. It can also improve hip strength and movement. Plus, it lowers the risk of the condition lasting long-term. If your assessment suggests another condition may be contributing to your symptoms, your physiotherapist will discuss the next steps and, when appropriate, recommend further medical assessment.
What to Expect During Your Physiotherapy Assessment
Your first appointment starts with a chat about your symptoms and medical history. We’ll also discuss what activities improve or worsen your hip pain. Understanding how your symptoms affect your daily life helps your physiotherapist identify the factors contributing to your pain.
Your physiotherapy assessment may include:
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A review of your symptoms and medical history
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Assessment of your hip movement and flexibility
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Testing the strength of your hip and gluteal muscles
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Evaluation of your walking pattern and overall movement
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Assessment of your balance and functional activities when appropriate
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Simple movement tests to help identify the source of your pain
After your assessment, your physiotherapist will share the findings. They will answer your questions and create a treatment plan just for you. This plan will be based on your condition, goals, and activity level. If your symptoms suggest another condition may be contributing to your pain, we’ll discuss the most appropriate next steps and, when needed, recommend further medical assessment.
You can learn more about our general initial appointment for physiotherapy.
How Long Does Hip Bursitis Take to Heal?
Recovery from hip bursitis depends on the cause of your pain, how long you’ve had symptoms, and whether the underlying problem is being treated.
Some people notice improvement within a few weeks, while others with long-standing pain or muscle weakness may take several months to fully recover.
The timeline can also vary depending on your activity level, overall health, and how closely you follow your treatment plan and home exercises.
Physiotherapy often helps people recover faster. It does this by focusing on the causes of their pain, not just the symptoms.
As your pain gets better, your physiotherapist will slowly increase your exercises and activities. This will help you safely return to walking, work, sports, and daily life.
Starting treatment early can lower the chance of long-term or recurring issues. Every recovery is unique, but this approach is often helpful.
Why Choose Pillars of Wellness for Hip Bursitis Treatment in Burlington
Hip pain can affect much more than your ability to walk. It can interfere with your sleep, exercise routine, work, and everyday activities. At Pillars of Wellness, we look into why your hip pain started. This way, we can treat the root cause instead of just offering temporary relief.
When you choose our clinic, you can expect:
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One-on-one treatment with a registered physiotherapist at every appointment
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A comprehensive assessment to identify the factors contributing to your hip pain
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Personalized treatment plans based on your symptoms, goals, and activity level
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Exercise programs designed for your recovery, with guidance on when and how to safely progress
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Hands-on care and education to help improve movement and reduce the risk of future flare-ups
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Direct billing to most extended health insurance plans
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Convenient Burlington location with free parking and flexible appointment times
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Collaborative care with our chiropractors, massage therapists, naturopathic doctors, and other healthcare professionals when additional treatment may benefit your recovery
No matter if you want to walk easily, run again, sleep pain-free, or stay active with your family, we’re here to help you recover confidently. Let’s get you back to what matters most.
Flexibility and accommodation to make your appointment viable and fit to your schedule
Highly recommended for everyone who is looking for friendly, warm and very professional help in physiotherapy. Flexibility and accommodation to make your appointment viable and fit to your schedule. Warm, new and clean environment going very well together with informative and friendly, professional personnel. My therapy clinical notes, invoices and appointment reminders were also available on line and on time. Khizar, Nancy, Thank you.
Feeling better by the day. Thank you so much!
This is the first time I give a review. I cannot say enough about this clinic. They are really amazing. Friendly, great customer service and helped me with a condition I have for years. Feeling better by the day. Thank you so much!
I was very impressed by their customer service and professionalism
I recently used Pillars of Wellness services for my injuries. I was very impressed by their customer service and professionalism. The first time I came to do my assessment, the owner, the physiotherapist and the chiropractor sat with me to help me figure out the best way to feel better and faster. I spent 6 weeks with on-going treatment using different modalities. The end result was no more pain and I was able to move again!! Thank you so much for your help. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone.
Summing it up Pillars of Wellness is a well run top notch health clinic!
Lori and Laurent Pinci who run Pillars of Wellness along with their team are very professional and efficient. They make you feel welcome with a smile and kind words every time you walk through their doors. They truly care. We have not yet had the need to experience the many other services that Pillars of Wellness offers, but if we ever did, we definitely would not hesitate to use them.
I’m feeling very supported during my recovery….
On the advice of a friend, I reached out and booked a series of appointments with their occupational therapist, Lori; physiotherapist, Abida; and their naturopath, Dr. Galantai to help with recovering from a concussion. It has been an excellent experience! They are all incredible practitioners.
This is the first time I’ve ever experienced a longer term injury and their genuine, individualized care has really lessened my stress. I’m feeling very supported during my recovery and highly recommend their clinic. I credit my continual improvement to the holistic way I’m getting treatment for my symptoms and am very grateful.
I went to different clinics I finally found one worth going to.
Friendly, caring and professionals like nothing I have seen around Aldershot//Burlington. Attentive to the needs of their patients. They take the time to listen. Beautiful and well designed clinic that is extremely well maintained. I have had two car accidents in the last year and I went to different clinics I finally found one worth going to.
FAQ About Hip Bursitis Treatment With Physiotherapy
Can hip bursitis go away on its own?
Mild cases of hip bursitis may improve with rest, activity modification, and avoiding movements that irritate the hip. However, if your pain lasts for several weeks, keeps returning, or begins affecting your sleep or daily activities, physiotherapy can help address the underlying cause and reduce the risk of ongoing symptoms.
Can physiotherapy help treat hip bursitis?
Yes. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for hip bursitis because it focuses on improving hip strength, movement, and function while addressing the factors contributing to your pain. Your treatment plan may include hands-on therapy, strengthening exercises, movement retraining, education, and a personalized home exercise program.
Is walking good for hip bursitis?
Walking is often encouraged, but it depends on your symptoms. Gentle walking can help you stay active, while long walks or walking through significant pain may increase irritation. Your physiotherapist can help you modify your activity level and gradually increase walking as your hip improves.
Which exercises should I avoid with hip bursitis?
Exercises that place excessive pressure on the outside of the hip or significantly increase your pain may slow your recovery. Because every case is different, it’s important to follow a program that matches your symptoms and stage of recovery rather than relying on generic exercises found online.
Should I use ice or heat for hip bursitis?
Ice may help reduce pain after activities that irritate your hip, especially during the early stages of recovery. Heat may help relax tight muscles before exercise or stretching. Your physiotherapist can recommend the most appropriate approach based on your symptoms.
Can hip bursitis come back after treatment?
Hip bursitis can return if the underlying causes, such as muscle weakness, movement patterns, or repeated stress on the hip, are not addressed. Completing your rehabilitation program and continuing your home exercises can help reduce the risk of future flare-ups.
Do I need a doctor's referral for physiotherapy?
No. In Ontario, you can book an appointment with a physiotherapist directly without a doctor’s referral. However, some extended health insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement, so it’s a good idea to check your individual coverage.
Is physiotherapy covered by insurance for hip bursitis treatment?
Most extended health insurance plans include coverage for physiotherapy. If your plan covers physiotherapy, treatment for hip bursitis is generally included. Coverage varies by provider and policy. We also offer direct billing to most major insurance companies for your convenience.
