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Patient Questions  /  Hip pain or back pain?

Hip

Is My Hip Pain Actually Coming From My Back?

It can be. Low back problems often cause pain in the buttock and back of the hip, sometimes down the thigh. Pain in the groin or front of the hip more often comes from the hip joint itself. Pain on the outside of the hip is often the tendons there. Many people have more than one source, so a hands-on exam is the best way to sort it out.

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Clues it may be the hip joint

  • Pain in the groin or the front of the hip.
  • Trouble putting on socks and shoes or cutting your toenails.
  • Stiffness after sitting, and pain with walking that eases with rest.
  • A limp, or your hip feeling stiff when you turn your leg in or out.

Clues it may be your back

  • Pain in the buttock that spreads down the back or side of the thigh, sometimes below the knee.
  • Tingling or numbness in the leg or foot.
  • Pain that changes with bending, sitting or how you move your back.
  • Low back pain or stiffness along with the “hip” pain.

Pain low in the back near the dimple of the pelvis on one side may come from the sacroiliac (SI) joint, which sits between the spine and the pelvis.

Why it matters

The treatment is different depending on the source. Imaging alone may not settle it, because X-ray changes in the hip and spine are common in people without pain. How your pain behaves during movement tests often tells more.

When to see a doctor

Get medical care promptly if you have:

  • You can't put weight on your leg after a fall, especially if you have osteoporosis: get emergency care
  • Numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels: get emergency care
  • Leg weakness that is getting worse
  • Hip or back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
  • Deep groin pain if you take steroid medicine long term or drink heavily

How physical therapy at ARI can help

A physical therapist examines both your back and your hip, using movement and strength tests to find which one is driving your pain. Treatment is then aimed at the real source, with exercises and hands-on care to ease pain and help you walk, sit and sleep more comfortably.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Hip pain and hip arthritis →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026