The excitement is definitely building!
As I write this, we’re getting ready for England vs Norway at 10 o’clock. Fingers crossed we can get past Norway and set up what could be a semi final against Argentina. Although, as we’ve all seen in this World Cup, anything can happen. The tournament has really come alive since the knockout stages began and it’s been brilliant to watch!
Back in the clinic, we held our quarterly team meeting this week and it was a fantastic day. We spent time playing games, doing team building activities and most importantly, getting everyone together. With the team now spread across four clinics, it’s becoming even more important that we stay connected and keep building those relationships.
As we continue to grow, one thing we never want to lose sight of is what got us here in the first place, our people and clients. We’re putting a real focus on strengthening the team, supporting one another and staying true to our values of putting our clients first while creating a workplace where everyone enjoys coming to work. A happy team always provides better care and that’s something we’re passionate about.
Thankfully, we’ve also had plenty of help from the air conditioning this week! The sunshine has been amazing but it’s certainly tested us all.
Outside the clinic, we’ve been making the most of the weather with the kids. We’ve discovered a new favourite ice cream spot, which has gone down extremely well. It feels like when the sun is shining and England are still winning football matches, the kids think they’re on holiday. To be fair, I think the adults do too!
Here’s hoping England can keep the dream alive, the sunshine sticks around and we all enjoy a fantastic week ahead.
“It’s my hip… I think.”
I hear that phrase almost every week in clinic.
Someone walks in pointing to the side of their leg, rubbing their bottom or grabbing their lower back. They tell me, “My hip is killing me.”
But after asking a few questions and doing an examination, the real culprit often isn’t the hip at all, it’s the sciatic nerve.
The tricky part is that hip pain and sciatica can feel surprisingly similar. Both can make walking uncomfortable, getting out of the car a challenge and sleeping a frustrating experience.
So, how do you know which one you’re dealing with?
Let’s break it down.
Meet the Two Suspects
Think of this like a detective story. Both suspects can cause pain but they leave different clues behind.
What Is Hip Pain?
True hip pain comes from the hip joint itself or the muscles and tendons surrounding it.
Your hip is a remarkable joint. It supports your body weight every time you stand, walk, run, or climb stairs. Because it’s constantly working, it’s also vulnerable to wear and tear, muscle strains, arthritis, and tendon irritation.
People with genuine hip pain often point to the front of the groin or the outside of the hip.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain in the groin or outer hip
- Stiffness after sitting
- Difficulty putting on socks or shoes
- Pain when walking uphill or climbing stairs
- Reduced range of motion
A good way to think about it is this:
If moving your hip causes pain, the hip itself may be the problem.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a little different.
Rather than being a problem with the hip joint, sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. It starts in the lower back, travels through the buttock and runs all the way down the back of each leg.
When this nerve becomes irritated, often because of a bulging disc or inflammation, it sends pain along its entire pathway.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain starting in the lower back or buttock
- Pain travelling down the back or side of the leg
- Burning or electric shock sensations
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Numbness
- Leg weakness
Unlike hip pain, sciatica isn’t always made worse by moving the hip itself.
Instead, sitting for long periods, coughing, sneezing or bending forwards often aggravates it.
The Quick “Car Test”
Here’s a simple way many people accidentally reveal which problem they have.
Imagine getting out of the driver’s seat after a long journey.
If it’s hip pain…
Standing up feels stiff.
The first few steps are uncomfortable but once you’ve loosened up, it gradually improves.
If it’s sciatica…
Standing up might actually increase the pain.
You may feel a sharp shooting sensation down your leg or need to stop for a moment before walking.
It’s not a perfect test but it’s one clue among many!
Where Does It Hurt?
One of the easiest ways to tell the difference is location.
Hip Pain
- Front of the groin
- Outside of the hip
- Occasionally into the thigh
Sciatica
- Buttock
- Back of the thigh
- Calf
- Foot
- Sometimes all the way to the toes
If your pain travels below your knee, there’s a greater chance the sciatic nerve is involved rather than the hip itself.
Why They Get Confused
Here’s where things become interesting.
Sometimes both problems exist together.
A stiff hip can change how you walk, placing more stress on your lower back.
Likewise, a problem in the lower back can make the muscles around the hip tighten to protect the area.
It’s a bit like having one person in a rowing boat stop rowing, the other side has to work much harder.
Over time, both areas can become sore.
That’s why treating only the painful spot doesn’t always solve the problem.
So… What Causes Each One?
Common Causes of Hip Pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Hip bursitis
- Gluteal tendon irritation
- Muscle strains
- Labral injuries
- Sports injuries
Common Causes of Sciatica
- Lumbar disc bulges or herniations
- Degenerative changes in the spine
- Spinal stenosis
- Irritated nerve roots
- Occasionally tight muscles such as the piriformis
The treatment is often very different depending on which structure is causing the symptoms.
When Should You Get It Checked?
Most aches settle with time.
However, you should arrange an assessment if:
- Pain lasts longer than a couple of weeks.
- It keeps returning.
- Walking becomes difficult.
- Your sleep is regularly disturbed.
- The pain is spreading further down your leg.
- You notice numbness or weakness.
If you develop sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin (“saddle” area) or severe weakness in your leg, seek emergency medical attention immediately, as these symptoms require urgent assessment.
How We Differentiate Hip Pain from Sciatica
One of the biggest misconceptions is that an X-ray or MRI is always needed straight away.
In reality, a thorough clinical examination often provides most of the answers.
During an assessment, we’ll look at:
- How your hip moves
- Your spinal movement
- Muscle strength
- Reflexes
- Sensation
- Walking pattern
- Specific orthopaedic tests
These clues help us identify whether your symptoms are coming from the hip joint, the lower back or the sciatic nerve.
Once we know the source, we can build a treatment plan that targets the real cause rather than simply chasing symptoms.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, sports rehabilitation exercises, spinal decompression therapy (for appropriate disc-related conditions), shockwave therapy for certain tendon problems, acupuncture and advice on posture and daily movement habits.
The Bottom Line
Hip pain and sciatica can feel remarkably similar, but they’re very different conditions.
A sore hip usually stays around the groin or side of the hip and is often linked to movement of the joint itself.
Sciatica tends to start in the lower back or buttock before travelling down the leg, often bringing tingling, burning or numbness along for the ride.
Getting the diagnosis right is the first step toward getting the right treatment.
If you’re not sure whether it’s your hip or your sciatic nerve causing the problem, don’t guess.
We’re here to help you understand what’s really going on and create a personalised plan to get you moving comfortably again.
If you’ve been living with hip pain, leg pain, or sciatica, book a discovery visit with our clinic. Together, we’ll identify the source of your symptoms and discuss the most appropriate treatment options to help you get back to doing the things you love.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2024). Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy).
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2020). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: Assessment and management (NG59).
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2023). Hip pain.
- North American Spine Society. (2020). Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines for Multidisciplinary Spine Care: Diagnosis and Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation with Radiculopathy.
- World Health Organization. (2023). Low back pain.
