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Hip Pain Treatment in La Crosse & Onalaska

Hip pain has a way of showing up in everything — walking, sitting, sleeping, climbing stairs — long before it ever slows you down completely.

Hip pain is often dismissed as “just getting older” or something to manage with rest and over-the-counter medication. Sometimes hip pain does come from arthritis or normal wear over time — but just as often, it comes from a movement pattern that’s overloading the joint, weakness in the muscles that support it, or a problem in the low back or pelvis that’s masquerading as hip pain.

We don’t guess. We assess how your hip moves, how it’s loaded during daily activity, and what’s actually driving your symptoms — then build a plan around that, whether that means restoring joint mobility, rebuilding strength, or addressing a nearby area that’s contributing to the problem.

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What Is Hip Pain?

Hip pain can come from the joint itself — hip osteoarthritis, labral tears, or femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) — from the surrounding soft tissue (bursitis, tendinitis, muscle strains), or be referred from the low back or sacroiliac joint. It can also follow hip surgery, including labral repair or total hip replacement. Where you feel it matters: pain in the groin often points to the joint itself (common with labral tears, FAI, and hip OA), while pain on the outside of the hip is more commonly related to the tendons and bursa there.

As with every condition we treat, “hip pain” is a description, not a diagnosis. Accurately identifying the true source — joint, tendon, nerve, or referred from elsewhere — determines whether treatment should focus on mobility, strength, load management, or a combination of all three.

Symptoms & Signs

Deep, aching pain in the groin, especially with hip flexion or rotation

Sharp pain on the outer hip, particularly when lying on that side or climbing stairs

Stiffness that’s worse first thing in the morning or after sitting for a long time

A pinching or catching sensation in the front of the hip when squatting or bending

Pain that radiates down the front or side of the thigh

A limp or noticeable change in walking pattern

Clicking or popping in the hip with movement

Pain that improves with movement but returns with prolonged standing or walking

Contributing Factors

Hip pain often develops from a combination of joint changes over time, muscle imbalances (particularly weak glutes and hip stabilizers), and repetitive movement patterns that overload one part of the joint. Sudden increases in walking, running, or standing demands, prior injuries, and leg-length or alignment differences can all contribute.

We also pay close attention to the low back, pelvis, and core, since dysfunction in these areas frequently shows up as hip pain. A hip that “gives out” on stairs may actually be a strength deficit; a hip that aches at rest may be more related to the joint itself. Sorting this out accurately is central to building the right plan.

How We Treat It at Dynamic Performance and Therapy

Manual Therapy

Hands-on joint mobilization to restore hip range of motion and reduce restrictions in the surrounding muscles and connective tissue.

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Visceral Mobilization

For hip and groin pain connected to pelvic and abdominal tissue restrictions, this technique addresses mobility of the internal structures that can influence hip and pelvic mechanics.

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Fascial Counterstrain

Gentle, targeted treatment for deep hip and pelvic restrictions that don’t respond well to more aggressive manual techniques.

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Hip & Glute Strengthening

A progressive strength program targeting the glutes and hip stabilizers, which are the most common weak link behind chronic hip pain.

Movement Retraining

Correcting compensatory walking, squatting, and stair patterns that keep overloading the joint, so pain doesn’t return once it resolves.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

We’ll start by understanding your pain in detail — where it is, when it started, and what activities make it worse or better — along with a thorough movement assessment of your hip, pelvis, and low back. Because hip pain so often overlaps with back and pelvic issues, we screen those areas even if you’re only feeling pain in your hip.

You’ll leave with a clear picture of what’s driving your pain and a specific plan, so you know exactly what to expect and why.