The hips’ ball and sockets are among the body’s largest joints. They work hard to support weight during standing, walking, and sitting, allowing free and efficient movement. At the same time, these substantial joints are subject to significant wear and tear, aging damage, injury, and disease. 

Hip pain on one or both sides can occur for all of us, especially as we age. Symptoms include pain, a reduced range of motion, stiffness, limping, referred pain to the knee or thigh, and pain when placing weight on the leg. 

Discomfort is often relieved through rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. However, if you experience ongoing pain when walking or climbing or if it interrupts your sleep at night, you may need to see a medical professional.

Around 7% of adults in the US are affected by hip pain. When severe or chronic, the ailment can be debilitating, profoundly interfering with daily activities and quality of life.

More About the Hip Joint

The design, composition, and structure of the hip joint is complex. The rounded head of the femur (thigh bone) – the ball or femoral head – sits in the acetabulum (hip socket) within the pelvic bone or girdle. 

Ligaments overlaid by the leg ligaments anchor the ball. The ball and socket are lined with cartilage to cushion and absorb shock when the legs are moving. 

This hip joint, in turn, is sealed inside a protective membrane, the synovial capsule. This robust capsule contains lubricating fluid to aid and smooth the joint’s motion. However, problems can emerge in the hip, but what causes them?

Hip Conditions 

There are numerous diagnosable and treatable hip conditions. These can occur among adults and children and include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
• Irritable hip syndrome
• Fractures
• Instability and dislocation
• Referred pain 
• Muscle injuries and sprains
• Trochanteric bursitis 
• Labral tears or femoroacetabular impingement
• Hip pointers (bone bruising)
• Infection
• Dysplasia
• Perthes’ disease

Pain can also be from nerve problems or cancer. The most common causes of hip pain are arthritic conditions, trauma, and referred pain. What do these conditions involve? 

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It typically develops with age, especially where injury has occurred. It can affect any joint in the body, including the jaw. 

Its primary cause is degeneration of the joint cartilage, which alters the bones underlying the joint. Its exact cause is unknown, but genetics, local inflammation, and stress on the joint are potential contributors. Those with the disease frequently experience pain in the buttock and groin areas, especially during walking, with noticeable mobility restrictions.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, typically manifesting in the hip, knees, hands, feet, wrists, elbows, and neck. While the cause can be multifaceted and often unidentified, it can include genetics and environmental factors, including smoking. Joint inflammation causes swelling, pain, and stiffness. 

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Another less common type of arthritis, AS, occurs on the hips, knees, and spine. Symptoms are most severe first thing in the morning, including stiffness and pain. Similar to other arthritis forms, genetics are considered a cause, with AS more prevalent in biological Caucasian males aged 16 to 33. The condition can occur independently or combined with other disorders such as psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and psoriasis. 

Dislocation or Fracture 

Hip dislocations happen when the head of the thigh bone is pushed backward or forward, forcing it out of the socket. Dislocation is mainly a result of traumatic injury from falls and accidents.

While bone fractures can occur at any age due to accidents and injury, hip fractures are more likely among older individuals. Bones become less dense with age and more vulnerable to impact or stress damage. Additionally, osteoporosis – an excessive loss of bone tissue – yields brittle, soft bones prone to deformity and fracture. The disease affects biological females more than males. 

Referred and Soft Tissue Pain

Not all pain felt in the hip is due to joint problems. Discomfort could originate elsewhere, such as from the soft tissues or the spine, including trochanteric bursitis or greater trochanteric pain syndrome caused by hip overuse. 

Hip conditions are diagnosed using a detailed medical history and physical examination, often including X-ray, CT, MRI or ultrasound scans, and joint tissue and fluid samples. 

How Are Hip Conditions Treated? 

The recommended treatment will depend on the cause, symptoms, and severity of your hip problem. It could range from rest, physical therapy, bracing, and medication to surgery such as hip replacement or osteotomy (realignment). Treatment is typically provided by your general practitioner or pediatrician, rheumatologist, orthopedist, or orthopedic surgeon (on referral). 

Beyond rest and exercise, you can consult a reputable chiropractor, physiotherapist, or masseur to manage pain. Regular professional hip massage therapy sessions employ various techniques to help release natural and pain-relieving neurochemicals such as serotonin, helping to ease tension and offer pain relief. 

The best types of massage for hip pain include myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and deep tissue massage. You can also consider self-massage at home using a convenient handheld massage device.

Sourcing and Selecting the Best Massager for Hip Pain

Electric massage guns or body massagers apply percussion or oscillation motion to help soothe muscle tension and ease pain. They are handheld and designed for self-massage, making them easy to use and hip massage effortless. All that is required is to run the device over the hips and glute muscles, starting on a low setting and increasing the pressure and speed as needed. 

To help you find and invest in an effective and value-for-money massager for hip pain, here is a list of some well-rated devices available from Amazon. 

ROLAZ Massage Gun 

This deep tissue percussion massage device has seven attachments and three intensity levels, including hot and cold therapy, to boost relief. 

What We Like:	What We Don’t Like:
Powerful yet quiet Large battery capacity Heat and cold available with or without massage function User rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars No low ratings	Expensive Vibration in the hand

Opove M3 Pro 2 Massage Gun Deep

This battery-powered whole-body massage gun boasts more than 500,000 units worldwide. The Opove M3 massager comes with six attachments, five speeds, hidden vents to dissipate heat better, and up to eight hours of battery life. It also has an attractive and convenient carrying case.

What We Like:	What We Don’t Like:
Powerful yet quiet Offers deep tissue-like massage Durable User ratings of 4.6 out of 5 stars	Battery problems reported The gun may feel heavy for some Pricier

Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun

The Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun is battery-powered yet powerful, yielding up to 3,300 percussions per minute. The massager comes with 20 intensity levels and six attachments. It’s also portable to help you stay comfortable and stylish at home, at your desk, and while traveling. 

What We Like:	What We Don’t Like:
Lightweight Easy to use with an ergonomic 12-degree handle  Quiet Customizable User rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars	Battery life could be better May still be too loud for some Reports of overheating

RAEMAO Massage Gun 

The RAEMAO massager offers high-frequency and ten percussion massage speeds with ten attachments for versatility and personalization. The battery-powered device also provides long-lasting operation – up to five hours and comes with an appealing carry case. It’s a good budget option!

What We Like:	What We Don’t Like:
Attachments are replaceable Low noise operation Smart LED screen Lightweight The price – excellent value for money  User rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars	LED Screen may be too bright for some May be too slow for some Could be too heavy for some Battery life was reported as short

BONDIR R2 PRO+ Massage Gun

This articulating deep tissue massager offers seven attachments. It also comes with a heating massage head for additional soothing and an exclusive articulating arm and handle extension with a textured grip for increased reach. The BONDIR R2 PRO+ is available with a sturdy carry case.

What We Like:	What We Don’t Like:
Long battery life Heating feature Articulated arm and extendable handle User rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars	Loud Less durable than expected Reports of dysfunction months after purchase  Expensive

You can also try other massager formats, such as a vibrating and heating hip brace or an ultra-portable mini massage gun. Always remember to stretch, especially if you’re experiencing tightness. 

What to Keep in Mind?

Powerful massage guns can help relieve muscle tension and pain. At the same time, make sure you avoid pressing on bony areas, lymph nodes, and arteries. Also, while massage may be uncomfortable as it works on trigger points and tight knots, it should never be painful. 

Disclaimer: Last update on 2024-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

This content is provided solely for educational reasons and should not be seen as medical guidance. It’s important to consult with a healthcare expert prior to making any changes to your health regimen, including dietary adjustments or the use of supplements.

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