You’re going about your day when that deep, nagging ache in your hip starts creeping down your leg again. Maybe it flares up when you’re walking, lifting, or just sitting too long, and you’re wondering why it keeps coming back. If you have hip pain radiating down your leg, read on for real answers!
The internet tells you to stretch your hamstrings or foam roll your IT band. But what if the real issue isn’t in your hip or your leg at all?
Many people chase symptoms without ever addressing the root cause. At Revival Physical Therapy & Wellness, we see this all the time—and helping you solve it starts with understanding what your body’s really telling you.
Hip pain that radiates down your leg can come from:
- Nerve irritation in your lower back
- Weakness in your glutes or core
- Limited joint mobility or stability
- Postural habits or movement patterns putting pressure on your spine
You don’t have to guess. You just need a plan that looks at how everything in your body works together. Let’s break it down.
Causes of Hip Pain Radiating Down Leg (And How PT Helps You Heal Faster and Better than Before!)
When you’re training for your next Twin Cities Marathon, biking the Luce Line Trail, or just chasing your dog across the North Loop Green, that hip pain radiating down your leg can knock you out of your rhythm fast.
As sports physical therapists here in Minneapolis, we see athletes and active adults struggle with this every week, and many of them have no idea what’s actually behind the pain.
Let’s dig into what’s really causing your symptoms and how sports physical therapy can help you heal stronger than before.
Pinched Nerves and the Sciatic Chain
If you’re feeling sharp pain or a dull ache that radiates down the leg, a pinched nerve is often the culprit. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back through your hip and into your leg, and any irritation along that path can cause serious discomfort.
This type of nerve pain is common in conditions like:
- Herniated disc in the lumbar spine
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
You may feel pain in the affected leg, experience numbness, or notice weakness with physical activity.
Sports PT focuses on movement analysis and strengthening the supportive muscles around your lumbar spine, so you reduce pain at its source and return to training without setbacks.
Structural Issues in the Hip Joint
Your hip joint is a ball-and-socket setup involving the femoral head and the acetabulum. When something disrupts that relationship, pain often radiates out.
Common causes of structural pain include:
- Hip impingement
- Hip labral tear
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Bone spurs
- Hip fracture (in severe cases or high-impact trauma)
If you feel groin pain, clicking, or a popping sensation, especially with sports like CrossFit or hockey, there’s likely joint involvement.
We use targeted hip mobility drills, manual therapy, and progressive loading to help you recover function and stability.
You don’t have to live with hip discomfort, dull aches, or radiating pain that throws off your stride.
We’re ready to help you find real relief and real answers.
Call us at 612-605-7594 or book your one-on-one evaluation today to get started.
Overuse Injuries and Soft Tissue Irritation
Sometimes hip pain radiating down the leg stems from simple overuse or poor mechanics over time.
This happens a lot in runners training for Grandma’s Marathon or cyclists clocking long miles during summer rides around Lake Minnetonka.
Soft tissue causes may include:
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- Hip bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs)
- Tendonitis of the hip flexors or glutes
- Connective tissue tightness near the side of the hip
These conditions tend to cause pain during prolonged sitting, physical activity, or when pressing on the affected side.
Sports PT helps by correcting form, reducing inflammation, and building endurance in key muscle groups.
Medical Conditions That Mimic Athletic Injuries
Not every case of leg hip pain is related to activity. Certain underlying health issues can mimic overuse injuries or make symptoms worse with movement.
We look out for red flags like:
- Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritis
- Degenerative joint disease
- Loss of bowel or bladder control (a sign for immediate medical attention)
- Severe pain with no clear cause
Your medical history, along with a full physical examination, helps us rule out serious conditions that need further testing or referral to a healthcare professional.
Why Physical Therapy Works Better Than Guesswork
Instead of reaching for prescription medications or corticosteroid injections right away, many people find lasting relief through physical therapy.
Here’s why sports PT gets results:
- You get an accurate diagnosis based on your movement, not just imaging
- Treatment plans adapt to your sport, goals, and pain triggers
- One-on-one sessions allow us to target the exact cause of your radiating pain
- You’ll learn how to avoid re-injury with better mechanics and hip stability
Pain caused by hip conditions doesn’t mean you have to stop moving. In fact, smart movement is usually the fastest way back.
If you’re struggling with hip pain that radiates down your leg and want a real solution, it’s time to work with someone who understands how your body performs—and how to get it back in action.
Revival PT Brings Real Answers to Your Hip Pain and Discomfort
At Revival Physical Therapy & Wellness, we don’t throw cookie-cutter plans at complex hip injuries.
We listen to your story, assess your movement, and help you get back to doing what you love— whether that’s training for the City of Lakes Half Marathon or staying active with your kids at Theodore Wirth Park.
We Treat the Root Cause, Not Just the Symptoms
Your hip pain radiating down the leg may come from more than one source. That’s why we start with a one-on-one physical examination and movement screen with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
You won’t spend time with a tech or assistant. Instead, you’ll get a hands-on, expert evaluation that helps us uncover what’s really going on, whether it’s:
- A labral tear causing groin pain and clicking
- Sciatic nerve compression from a lumbar spine issue
- Hip impingement pain limiting your squat depth
- Bursitis or connective tissue strain affecting your stride
We Build a Plan That Works for Your Life
Once we understand the full picture, we tailor a program that fits how you move, work, train, and live.
Whether you’re a weekend trail runner in Plymouth or a powerlifter in Golden Valley, we adapt to your activities and schedule.
You’ll learn exercises that make a real difference. We’ll teach you how to move efficiently, improve hip joint stability, and manage pain caused by overuse or nerve involvement.
We Help You Come Back Stronger Than Before
At Revival PT, we’re not just here to reduce pain. Our goal is to help you reclaim strength, mobility, and confidence, so you’re not just healed but performing better.
You’ll walk out knowing how to:
- Stay active while recovering
- Prevent future injuries
- Improve your hip mechanics under load
- Handle flare-ups before they derail your progress
You don’t have to live with hip discomfort, dull aches, or radiating pain that throws off your stride. We’re ready to help you find real relief and real answers.
Call us at 612-605-7594 or book your one-on-one evaluation today to get started.
