Hip Pain – Osteopathy in Dubai
Hip pain can be debilitating – making simple movements like walking, climbing stairs or even standing uncomfortable. At our Dubai clinic, we understand how hip joint pain or stiffness can affect your day-to-day life.
Whether your discomfort is a sharp ache in the hip, groin or buttock, or an ongoing stiffness limiting mobility, we offer gentle, patient-centred osteopathy care. Thomas Wynn-Jones, a registered osteopath in Dubai with 18 years’ experience, provides a personalised, hands-on approach to help relieve your hip pain and improve function.
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What Is Hip Anatomy?
The hip is a strong ball-and-socket joint uniting your pelvis and thigh (femur). The rounded femoral head fits into the deep acetabular socket of the pelvis (illustration below), forming the hip joint. Both the acetabulum and femoral head are covered with smooth articular cartilage, and a fibrocartilaginous rim (the acetabular labrum) deepens the socket.
These structures, along with strong ligaments, allow weight-bearing and movement. Major hip muscles (gluteals, iliopsoas, adductors, etc.) stabilise and move the hip; nerves from the lumbar and sacral plexus (including the sciatic and femoral nerves) supply sensation and power. Dysfunction in any of these – bones, cartilage, muscles or nerves – can lead to hip or groin pain.
Thomas Wynn-Jones
BSc, BOst, Registered Osteopath UK & UAE
About Thomas
Meet Your Expert Osteopath in Dubai
Thomas Wynn-Jones is a seasoned osteopath in his 20th year of practice, he was trained at the British School of Osteopathy (now the University College of Osteopathy) and registered with the General Osteopathic Council in the UK plus the DHA in Dubai. He specializes in providing holistic healthcare solutions for patients of all ages, including sports injury management. His diverse expertise covers various osteopathic approaches, such as cranial, structural, and visceral osteopathy. Thomas’s dedication extends to treating a range of conditions, from low back and neck pain to pregnancy-related discomfort, babies, animals and headaches.
Common Causes of Hip Pain
Hip discomfort can arise from many sources. Below are frequent culprits:
Hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis)
Inflammation of the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) around the hip – most often the trochanteric bursa on the side of the femur. This causes sharp or aching pain over the outside of the hip, especially when lying on the affected side or walking. Trochanteric bursitis is one form of “hip bursitis.” (Another bursa near the groin, the iliopsoas bursa, can also inflame.)
Hip labral tear
A tear in the acetabular labrum (the cartilage rim of the socket) can cause deep groin or front-of-hip pain. Labral tears often produce mechanical symptoms – such as a catching, clicking or locking sensation – when moving the hip. They commonly occur in young athletes or after a hip injury.
Hip osteoarthritis (“wear-and-tear” arthritis)
Degeneration of hip joint cartilage over time leads to bone-on-bone rubbing. Symptoms include gradual-onset groin or hip pain with activity, stiffness (especially after sitting or resting), and reduced mobility. Over decades, osteoarthritis can significantly limit walking and movements.
Piriformis syndrome
The piriformis is a deep buttock muscle. When it spasms or tightens, it can compress the nearby sciatic nerve. This causes deep buttock pain and sometimes sciatica-like symptoms (pain or tingling down the leg), often worse with sitting or running.
Iliopsoas (psoas) strain or tendonitis
Overuse or injury of the hip flexor (iliacus/psoas) can irritate the muscle-tendon. This results in pain in the groin or front of the hip, and sometimes low back discomfort. Psoas syndrome can cause lower back, groin or hip pain and is often linked to sports or repetitive hip flexion activities.
Referred pain from the lower back or sacroiliac (SI) joint
Sometimes the source of pain is not the hip itself. Conditions in the lumbar spine or SI joint can send pain into the hip and buttock region. For example, lumbar disc or muscle issues and SIJ dysfunction often present as hip or buttock pain. Osteopaths carefully assess the spine and pelvis to catch these referrals.
Osteopathic Treatment for Hip Pain
Osteopathy offers a safe, drug-free approach to resolving hip pain and mobility issues. Thomas Wynn-Jones uses gentle manual techniques tailored to your needs. Treatment often includes:
Joint mobilisation
Careful movements and stretches to the hip joint improve range of motion and decrease stiffness.
Soft tissue therapy
Hands-on massage and muscle release relieve tight muscles around the hip (e.g. glutes, hip flexors, IT band).
Pelvic realignment and posture correction
Misalignment of the pelvis or poor posture can stress the hip. Techniques to rebalance the pelvis and correct posture help restore proper biomechanics.
Neural release
For nerve-related hip pain (sciatica), gentle nerve-gliding techniques ease tension on the sciatic and other nerves.
Holistic integration
Each treatment is highly personalised. Thomas draws on his wide training (structural, visceral, cranial osteopathy and more) to treat the root causes, not just symptoms. He explains each step (patient education) to empower recovery.
This hands-on osteopathic care reduces inflammation and pain while improving hip joint mobility and function. Many patients experience lasting relief, not only during sessions but in everyday life.
Why Choose Thomas Wynn-Jones?
With over 45,000 consultations and membership in international osteopathy associations, Thomas brings expertise to every hip pain case. He has a special interest in treating joint pain and postural issues, and his clinic is equipped with supportive therapies (ultrasound, dry needling, shockwave) as needed.
Whether your hip pain stems from sports activity, office posture or chronic wear, Thomas will create a tailored plan – one treatment does not fit all.
Convenient Dubai Location & Booking
Our clinic is at Browns & Co., 343 Al Wasl Road, Al Bada’a, Dubai (within Joint Space). We welcome patients from Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, DIFC, Satwa, Al Wasl, Al Safa, Business Bay and surrounding areas.
Free parking and easy access from Sheikh Zayed Road make visits stress-free. Don’t let hip pain linger – book an appointment today. Call +971 4 273 1555 or use our online booking to schedule your hip assessment. Our friendly team will help you find a convenient time. Take the first step towards pain-free movement in Dubai – expert osteopathic care is just a short drive away.
Practicing At
Browns & Co
343 Al Wasl Rd – Al Bada’a – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 273 1555
Hip Pain FAQs
What are common causes of hip pain?
Hip pain can arise from many sources. It may be intra-articular (inside the joint, such as arthritis or a labral tear), periarticular (around the joint, like bursitis or muscle strain), or referred (originating in the spine or pelvis). Typical culprits include hip osteoarthritis, trochanteric bursitis, labral tears, muscle strains (e.g. psoas or glutes), and sciatic nerve issues such as piriformis syndrome. In younger adults sports injuries (labral tear, hip flexor strain) are common, whereas older adults often see arthritis.
What is hip bursitis (trochanteric bursitis)?
Hip bursitis is inflammation of a bursa (fluid sac) that cushions the hip bone. The most common form is trochanteric bursitis, which affects the bursa over the bony prominence on the outside of the hip. It causes sharp or aching pain along the hip’s lateral side, especially when lying on it or during movement. Trochanteric bursitis and “hip bursitis” are essentially the same – both mean the bursa is swollen and painful.
Is osteopathy effective for hip pain?
Yes. Osteopathy often provides significant relief for hip pain by addressing the mechanical causes. Gentle osteopathic techniques can reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, and relax tight muscles. Many patients find osteopathy relieves pain and increases hip range of motion without drugs or surgery. Thomas Wynn-Jones’ hands-on methods (joint mobilisation, soft-tissue release, etc.) focus on restoring balance in the hip, pelvis and spine. This holistic approach can be effective even when conventional treatments have failed.
How does hip osteoarthritis differ from a labral tear?
Osteoarthritis is degenerative “wear-and-tear” of the hip joint – the cartilage gradually thins, causing bone-on-bone pain and stiffness. Symptoms include deep groin pain with walking, limited motion and stiffness after rest. A labral tear is a tear of the fibrocartilage rim of the socket. It often causes sharp groin pain with hip movement and a catching or clicking sensation. Osteoarthritis pain is usually gradual and activity-related, while labral tears often have a history of trauma or specific injury and mechanical hip noises on movement.
Why might hip pain come from my back or pelvis?
The hip and pelvis are closely connected to the spine. Problems in the lumbar spine or sacroiliac joints can refer pain into the hip area. For example, a lumbar disc issue or SIJ dysfunction may manifest as buttock or hip pain. Osteopaths check for such referrals because treating only the hip joint may not solve the problem if the root is in the back or pelvis. If hip pain seems unexplained, evaluating the spine and pelvis is important.
When should I see an osteopath for hip pain?
If hip pain is persistent (lasting over a week), sharp when you move, or limiting your activities, it’s wise to seek help. Also see an osteopath if you’ve had an injury (fall, sports strain) or if pain wakes you at night. Early intervention with osteopathy can often prevent chronic problems. Thomas Wynn-Jones can assess your hip, diagnose the cause, and start relieving pain right away with safe, effective hands-on care.
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