What is hip impingement?
Hip impingement, also known as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), is a condition where abnormal contact occurs between the bones of the hip joint. The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, with the femoral head (the ball) fitting into the acetabulum (the socket). In a healthy hip, these bones move smoothly together, allowing for a wide range of motion. In hip impingement, the smooth movement is disrupted due to changes in the shape of either the femoral head, the acetabulum, or both. These changes can lead to painful friction, limited mobility, and eventually, damage to the cartilage or labrum in the hip joint. Over time, this can result in stiffness, pain, and decreased performance, especially in activities that involve deep hip flexion, like dancing, squatting, or sitting for long periods.
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Want to learn more? Check out our full blog post explaining it all!
Is hip impingement common?
It is! But keep in mind, just become something is common doesn't mean it is normal! Hip impingement can occur in anyone, however certain groups of people are more prone to developing symptoms. There are many people walking around with hip impingement who don't even know they have it until they do something that aggravates it!
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Hip Impingement more commonly occurs in:
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Dancers
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Soccer players
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Runners
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Females
Can I treat hip impingement without surgery?
YES, and that is exactly what we specialize in at On Pointe Wellness!! Have you already tried PT and "failed?" We hear that a lot. That's why it's important to work with a Physical Therapist who specializes in this area and can coach you back to doing all the things you love. In the end the money, time, and stress you will save by going through conservative treatment will be well worth it!!
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At our clinic, we offer a unique, comprehensive physical therapy approach specifically designed to address hip impingement without the need for surgery. Our method focuses on a combination of manual therapy, movement retraining, and a tailored exercise program that target the root causes of impingement while alleviating pain and restoring function.​
How does it work?
STEP 1:
PERSONALIZED ASSESSMENT​​
Your plan will begin with a detailed assessment of your hip structure and movement patterns. This allows us to identify the specific mechanical issues contributing to the impingement, whether it be from poor hip mobility, muscle imbalances, or improper loading patterns. Because we specialize in this area, we often catch things your previous therapists have missed!
STEP 2:
MOVEMENT RE-TRAINING
There will initially be a heavy emphasis on teaching you proper movement mechanics to help you understand how to move in a way that minimizes stress on the hip joint. Once you understand this, the exercises will be much more effective!
STEP 3:
CUSTOMIZED TRAINING PLAN
Our exercise programs are carefully crafted to address your ​specific limitations. It will include things such as manual therapy, mobility work, and lots of strength & stability training. The exercises will all be aimed at improving joint alignment and improving dynamic stability so you can return to all the activities you love!
Will I always have to do Physical Therapy?​​
​The goal is no! At On Pointe Wellness we aim not just for short-term symptom relief but for long-term management of impingement recurrence. Through education and addressing underlying imbalances, we are able to help our clients build life long resilience in their hips, allowing them to fully return to their activities—whether it’s sports, dancing, or daily life—without fear of re-injury.
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Once your formal need for Physical Therapy is done, we know you might need a little help and encouragement to come up with a long-term plan, that's why we offer a variety of packages and hybrid programs to help maximize your time and results. We have a solution to fit every schedule and budget!
STEP 3:
WEEKLY CHECK-IN'S
We are here to guide you every step of the way. That's why we include weekly check-in's for accountability, program updates, and support.