Hip Pain Treatment Related to Foot Mechanics
Struggling with Hip Pain That Won’t Go Away?
If you’re dealing with persistent hip pain — especially during walking, running, or standing — the problem may not actually start at your hip.
In many cases, hip pain is influenced by how your feet and lower limb are functioning.
At Active Therapy Clinic, we take a whole-body approach — identifying how foot mechanics, movement patterns, and load contribute to your pain — and providing targeted treatment, including rehabilitation and orthotics where needed.
What Does Hip Pain Feel Like?
Hip pain can present in different ways, including:
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Pain on the outside of the hip (common with gluteal tendinopathy)
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Deep ache in the hip during walking or standing
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Pain when lying on your side
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Stiffness or discomfort during activity
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Pain that builds throughout the day
How Your Feet Can Affect Your Hip
Your body works as a connected system.
When your foot doesn’t function well, it can affect everything above it.
For example:
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Flat feet (overpronation) can cause the knee to roll inward
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This changes hip alignment and increases stress on hip structures
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Over time, this can lead to pain and overload
With high arches:
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Reduced shock absorption increases forces travelling up the leg
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This can contribute to hip irritation
This is known as the kinetic chain effect.
Common Causes of Hip Pain (Linked to Foot Mechanics)
Hip pain is often influenced by a combination of factors:
1. Gluteal Tendon Overload
Often linked to poor lower limb alignment and control.
2. Poor Foot Mechanics
Flat feet or high arches affecting load distribution.
3. Weakness or Poor Control
Particularly in the glutes and hip stabilisers.
4. Reduced Mobility
Stiff ankles or hips changing movement patterns.
5. Load Mismanagement
Too much activity without adequate strength or recovery.
Why Your Hip Pain Keeps Coming Back
Many people focus only on the hip:
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Stretching
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Massage
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Rest
But if the underlying cause is coming from:
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Foot mechanics
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Movement patterns
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Load issues
…the pain often returns.
What Treatments Actually Work?
The most effective treatment combines strength, movement correction, and support.
✔ Strengthening Exercises
Targeting:
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Gluteal muscles
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Hip stabilisers
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Lower limb control
✔ Movement Retraining
Improving walking and running mechanics.
✔ Load Management
Balancing activity levels to avoid overload.
✔ Addressing Foot Mechanics
This is where orthotics may play an important role.
How Orthotics Help Hip Pain
Orthotics can help by improving how force moves through your body.
They work by:
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Supporting foot alignment
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Reducing excessive pronation or instability
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Improving knee positioning
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Reducing abnormal stress on the hip
Why this matters:
When the foot is more stable, the entire lower limb can function more efficiently.
Exercises That Can Help Hip Pain
1. Glute Bridges
Build strength in the hip extensors.
2. Side-Lying Hip Abduction
Improve lateral hip stability.
3. Band Walks
Enhance control and alignment.
4. Single-Leg Work
Improve balance and movement efficiency.
When Should You Get Help?
You should seek treatment if:
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Pain has lasted more than a few weeks
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It’s affecting walking, running, or sleep
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Symptoms keep returning
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You’ve tried stretching but haven’t improved
Early treatment leads to better outcomes.
Our Approach at Active Therapy Clinic
We take a whole-body, root-cause approach.
Your assessment includes:
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Movement and gait analysis
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Foot biomechanics assessment
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Strength and control testing
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Activity and load review
From there, we build a tailored plan that may include:
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Progressive rehabilitation
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Hands-on treatment with Physiotherapist or Osteopath
Get Back to Pain-Free Movement
Hip pain doesn’t have to be ongoing or limiting.
With the right approach, you can:
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Reduce pain
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Improve strength and control
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Move comfortably and confidently
Book your assessment today and take the first step towards recovery.
