What Is Hip Impingement Syndrome?
Hip Impingement Syndrome, also known as Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), is a condition that develops when the bones of the hip joint rub against each other abnormally. Over time, this friction can damage the cartilage or labrum and lead to chronic hip pain, limited range of motion, and, if left untreated, early arthritis. At Modern Care Chiropractic, we help patients manage and overcome hip impingement with personalized, non-surgical treatment plans focused on long-term relief and joint preservation.
Understanding the Condition
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint formed by the femoral head (the ball) and the acetabulum (the socket). In individuals with FAI, the ball may be misshapen (known as cam impingement), the socket may be too deep or improperly angled (pincer impingement), or both abnormalities may exist (combined impingement). These structural issues can be present from birth or develop over time, especially in athletes and active individuals who place repeated stress on their hips.
Symptoms often include a deep, aching pain in the front of the hip or groin that worsens with activity or after prolonged sitting. Many people also experience stiffness, a catching or clicking sensation in the joint, and difficulty with movements like squatting, pivoting, or climbing stairs. Because the symptoms can resemble other hip or lower back issues, FAI is often misdiagnosed or ignored in its early stages.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care offers a highly effective and conservative option for managing hip impingement. Rather than simply masking symptoms with medication, our approach focuses on restoring balance, reducing joint stress, and improving overall biomechanics. At Modern Care Chiropractic, your treatment begins with a thorough evaluation, including a physical exam, movement analysis, and a detailed discussion of your history and lifestyle.
Treatment often involves precise chiropractic adjustments to the pelvis, lumbar spine, and the hip joint itself. These adjustments help restore proper alignment, allowing the hip to move more freely and reducing unnecessary stress on the joint. We also incorporate manual therapies such as myofascial release, Class IV laser therapy, and targeted soft tissue work to reduce tension in surrounding muscles like the hip flexors, glutes, piriformis, and quadriceps.
Equally important is the rehabilitation component of care. We guide you through gentle mobility exercises and functional strength training designed to stabilize the hip joint and improve range of motion. These exercises are carefully chosen to avoid aggravating the impingement while building long-term support for the joint. In addition, we provide posture coaching and movement retraining to help you develop healthier habits in how you sit, walk, and move throughout the day.
The Benefits of Early Intervention
The key advantage of early interventive care is to address the underlying cause of joint dysfunction before it progresses. Treating hip impingement early can help you avoid and limit the need for more invasive interventions like injections or surgery. Our patients often report noticeable improvements in pain, flexibility, and daily function within just a few weeks of starting care. By improving joint alignment, muscle balance, and mobility, chiropractic care may help to prevent long-term damage to the hip joint.
When to Seek Help
If you’ve been dealing with chronic hip or groin pain—especially if it’s limiting your movement or interfering with your daily activities—it’s important to seek professional care. The longer hip impingement goes unaddressed, the greater the risk of joint degeneration and labral tears. Chiropractic care offers a safe, effective way thay may help you manage your symptoms and get back to doing the things you love without pain.
Take the Next Step Toward Pain-Free Movement