Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on September 4, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580

Hip Pain Treatment Oakville

Are you suffering from hip pain? Is your pain at the front of hip? Your side of your hip? Your side of your hip but lower down your leg? Is your hip pain more at the back then the front or the side?

These are the questions our Oakville Chiropractic and physiotherapy team ask to all our hip pain patients. If your hip pain is at the front it is most likely a hip flexor or psoas issue. If your hip pain is at the back or the side it is most likely an SI Joint or a Glute issue or even an IT Band issue. However, if your hip pain is a little lower than your bum at the outside top of your leg it could be Greater Trochanteric Bursitis.

Pregnancy can also change loading through the hips, gluteal muscles and pelvis. Pregnant or postpartum patients with hip pain can read our guide to pregnancy chiropractic care for hip and pelvic pain.

If your hip pain symptoms are related to a workplace injury, learn how to start a WSIB claim and access approved treatment in Oakville.

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Anatomy of Hip Pain Video:

What is Greater Trochanteric Bursitis and Hip Pain?

Greater Trochanteric Bursitis (GTB) or Hip Bursitis can be confused with hip joint bursitis but it is a completely different thing. Greater Trochanteric Bursitis is a painful condition that can affect old and young, athletic and sedentary. The pain is usually located on the outside of your hip at the top of your leg. In most cases, the patient will have limited range of motion of their leg and low back. The pain will get worse with sitting or with increased physical activity. Lying on the injured side will most likely cause pain within minutes. Most patients will be unable to bring their knee to their chest without severe lateral hip pain.

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A picture showing what GTB is with marks on patient's leg for effected areas

What Our Patients Are saying

  • I was initially reluctant to try another chiropractor after a series of bad experiences that left me in more pain. However, my husband visited Dr. Steve at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre following a scary knee injury and had nothing but amazing things to say about his care. He booked me... read more

    Ingy ES Avatar Ingy ES
    September 7, 2024

    This is the second time I go to this clinic with two different painful afflictions and both times they have been able to give me back my wellbeing. Thank you Dr. Steve and staff.

    Laura Avatar Laura
    May 27, 2026

    Dr. Steve comes highly recommended. He has helped me recover from multiple injuries, and the improvement has been remarkable. My daughter is also a patient, and she’s experienced the same positive results. The entire staff is friendly, welcoming, and truly cares about their patients. We’re grateful to have found such... read more

    Yvette Avatar Yvette
    March 18, 2026
  • I’ve been seeing Dr. Steve for the past few months, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the care and attention I’ve received. From the very first visit, Dr. Steve took the time to thoroughly assess my concerns and explain the treatment plan in detail. I’ve struggled with neck pain... read more

    Anjana Bhaskaran Avatar Anjana Bhaskaran
    December 10, 2024

    Less than 6-7 min. by chiropractor. Waste of money.

    Jadis Avatar Jadis
    March 31, 2026

    I rarely leave reviews, and I will be honest that I was asked to leave a review. I understand why I was asked to leave a review. Dr. Steve saw that I had relief of four months of chronic pain that I had never had before that was altering my... read more

    Lauren Baker Avatar Lauren Baker
    April 9, 2026
  • I have been seeing Steve and his team for about 6 months now for several different issues I have going on and I think they are all amazing people who work there. From the front desk to the people who assist Steve with the treatments. A shout out specifically to... read more

    Alanna Waugh Avatar Alanna Waugh
    August 7, 2024

    Thank you, Dr. Steve! My go to chiropractor for the past 5 years. They are very organized and have a great operation running here at NottingHill family wellness center. Thank you to all staff.

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    Mirko Avatar Mirko
    July 9, 2026

    I’ve had nothing short of wonderful visits at this chiropractor! The front desk receptionists are always wonderful, the workers are very nice and helpful and Dr. Steve is always a pleasure to be around. We bonded immediately over our music taste but also his skills as a chiropractor are amazing... read more

    Dylan Machado Avatar Dylan Machado
    April 2, 2026

Diagnosing Greater Trochanteric Bursitis

A graphic showing Greater Trochanteric Bursitis pain area

Getting the right diagnosis is key to any treatment plan at our evidence based chiropractic clinic in Oakville. Dr. Steve and his hip treatment deep needs to make sure your hip pain isn’t coming from your back, glute, hip joint or somewhere else.

Once they determine you have a diagnosis of Trochanteric Bursitis they will most likely treat not only the outside of your hip, but also your ITB, Glutes and SI Joint. Treatment will most likely include shockwave therapy and a manual adjustment of your back!

The right diagnosis is the key to treatment. Patients could have two issues or more going on. Figuring out what is the root cause of the problem is the key to patient success!

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Causes of Greater Trochanteric Bursitis

Although there are many causes of Greater Trochanteric Bursitis, Dr. Steve usually sees this diagnosis in people who work at a desk all day, patients who are active with super tight leg muscles, and patients who SI Joint or Pelvis are locked up in the wrong position causing an increase in tension of the muscles of the outside of the hip. In some cases the hip pain is from a fall and might be something else completely.

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drawing of a person walking with a orange hip, looks painful.

 

Treatment for Greater Trochanteric Bursitis

Once the diagnosis of Greater Trochanteric Bursitis has been given by our experienced chiropractic team. Treatment will begin with the patient lying on their good side with the bad side facing up and treatment will begin!

Treatment plans for Greater Trochanteric Bursitis can range from 1 month to 3 months and 8 visits to 20 visits depending on the timeline and severity of the injury. Almost all patients will go home with icing instructions and some sort of stretching program to get the healing started faster and get them back to want they want to do

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Hip Pain & Greater Trochanteric Pain Treatment Video:

4 Steps to Treating Greater Trochanteric Bursitis and Hip Pain

1. Interferential Current Therapy (IFC):

At our Oakville clinic, Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) is often used during the early phase of hip pain treatment to reduce discomfort and accelerate healing. Targeted heat is applied to the hip to increase circulation and relax surrounding muscles before IFC is introduced.

IFC is delivered through a specialized vacuum applicator that gently suctions to the skin. This advanced electrical stimulation penetrates deeper than traditional surface stimulation, helping to improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and control pain in irritated hip structures such as the joint capsule, surrounding musculature, or irritated tendons.

By increasing circulation to the injured area, IFC helps prepare the hip for the next phase of treatment — whether that involves hands-on therapy, shockwave treatment, or guided rehabilitation exercises. Many patients report a noticeable reduction in stiffness and improved mobility even after the first session.

This combination of heat and IFC therapy is a safe, evidence-based approach used by healthcare professionals to support recovery and optimize results for patients experiencing hip pain in Oakville.

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suction ifc machine on a female patients lateral hip

 2. Hip Pain Shockwave Therapy:

Following IFC therapy, patients receive Shockwave Therapy to the outside of the hip and upper thigh — an area commonly involved in conditions such as gluteal tendinopathy, bursitis, and chronic lateral hip pain.

At our Oakville chiropractic and physiotherapy clinic, Shockwave Therapy uses a pneumatic (air-powered) device that delivers rapid mechanical pulses to the injured tissue — up to 15 pulses per second, with treatments typically reaching 1,500 pulses per session. These targeted shockwaves stimulate circulation, break down scar tissue, and promote cellular repair in chronically irritated or degenerative tissues.

Treatment intensity is carefully adjusted based on each patient’s tolerance and therapeutic needs, typically ranging between 0.3 BAR and 5.0 BAR. While the sensation can be intense, most patients appreciate the deeper therapeutic effect — especially when treating stubborn hip conditions that have not responded to rest or traditional therapy alone.

Ultrasound gel is applied to ensure full surface contact and maximum energy transmission into the affected tissue, optimizing treatment effectiveness.

Shockwave Therapy is widely recognized as a state-of-the-art, evidence-based treatment used by healthcare professionals to accelerate healing and improve function in patients experiencing persistent hip pain in Oakville.

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A shockwave gun being used on patient to treat GTB at Oakville clinic

 

3. Active Release Therapy and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Treatment:

Following Shockwave Therapy, Dr. Steve will often incorporate Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy (IASTT) to address residual tightness and tissue restriction around the hip joint. Using specialized treatment tools, controlled pressure is applied to the affected hip and surrounding structures to help break down scar tissue, improve mobility, and stimulate healthy tissue remodeling.

This technique allows for precise treatment of the gluteal muscles, tensor fasciae latae (TFL), and lateral hip structures that commonly contribute to persistent hip pain.

In many cases, Active Release Therapy (ART) is also performed on the glute muscles and iliotibial (IT) band. ART is a hands-on, movement-based therapy designed to release adhesions within muscles and fascia while the patient moves through specific ranges of motion. This helps restore proper muscle function, reduce tension, and improve overall hip mechanics.

The combination of IASTT and Active Release Therapy allows for a comprehensive, targeted approach to treating hip pain in Oakville — especially for patients dealing with chronic tightness, tendon irritation, or reduced hip mobility.

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Physiotherapy treatment being performed on patient for Hip pain

 4. Chiropractic Adjustment for Hip Pain:

If you are being treated by one of our chiropractors, a targeted chiropractic adjustment to the low back and sacroiliac (SI) joint may be incorporated into your hip pain treatment plan. The alignment and mobility of the lumbar spine and SI joint play a critical role in overall hip mechanics. When these areas are restricted or not moving properly, abnormal stress is often transferred directly into the hip joint and surrounding muscles.

A precise chiropractic adjustment helps restore proper joint motion, reduce nerve irritation, and improve the way the hips, pelvis, and lower back function together as a unit. By re-aligning the sacroiliac joint and optimizing lumbar mobility, we often see immediate improvements in hip range of motion and reduced muscular tension.

In many patients who have previously been treated elsewhere for hip pain without achieving lasting results, addressing the lower back and SI joint has proven to be the missing piece. Hip pain rarely exists in isolation — it is frequently part of a larger biomechanical chain involving the pelvis and lumbar spine.

By combining chiropractic adjustments with soft tissue therapy, shockwave treatment, and rehabilitation exercises, our Oakville clinic takes a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach to resolving hip pain at its source rather than simply masking symptoms.

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Dr. Steve performing Chiropractic Adjustment to patient for Sciatica pain

Physiotherapy For Hip Pain

A picture showing what GTB is with marks on patient's leg for effected areas

At our clinic in Oakville our physiotherapist, Vinaya and her physiotherapy team have had great success treating hip injuries, GTP, hip arthritis and even hip replacements. The treatment mentioned above is also used in your physiotherapy treatment plans. Learn more about our physiotherapy options!

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Greater Trochanteric Bursitis FAQs