Lateral (side) Hip Pain? A Case Study in Referred Pain

Lateral (side) Hip Pain? A Case Study in Referred Pain

From Restoring Human Movement by Dr. Sebastian Gonzales: Sports Injuries | Physiotherapy | Chiropractic Spo

March 9, 2026 · 14 min · Episode 272

About this episode

This episode explores a case study of lateral hip pain in a marathon runner, highlighting the connection between spine health and hip discomfort.

Are you experiencing baffling side hip pain that just doesn't seem to make sense? In this episode, we're diving into a fascinating case presentation with a seasoned marathon runner who developed lateral hip pain after a race. Despite a long history of managing hip complaints, this time was different – no pop, no direct injury, just persistent discomfort from the upper crest of the hip down the side and backside. This 'mystery' pain was a dead giveaway of spine-referred hip pain, a phenomenon that accounts for 70-75% of hip complaints we see without a direct mechanism of injury! It might sound odd, but pain from your spine can absolutely manifest as hip discomfort, especially when there's no direct impact or pop and the pain is located on the side, near the greater trochanter. We'll debunk common misconceptions, like mistaking this type of pain for IT band syndrome (which typically presents differently, often with knee symptoms). Learn how an experienced examination can quickly identify the true source of your pain and help you find rapid relief, even when it's referred from the upper lumbar spine. This is a must-listen for active individuals looking to understand their pain…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Sebastian Gonzales

Topics covered

  • hip pain
  • referred pain
  • spine health
  • marathon running
  • physiotherapy
  • sports injuries

Keywords

  • lateral hip pain
  • spine-referred pain
  • IT band syndrome
  • hip complaints
  • upper lumbar spine
  • marathon runner
  • physiotherapy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: P2 Sports Care

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