If you’ve got scoliosis and your hips are hurting, you’re not alone. Many people with scoliosis experience hip pain– but the reasons why might not be what you think. Let’s break it down.
Why Does Scoliosis Cause Hip Pain?
Pelvic Tilt & Imbalance
When the spine curves, it can tilt the pelvis, making one hip higher than the other. This imbalance can put extra stress on one hip joint, leading to pain and discomfort.
Muscle Imbalances
Scoliosis often causes uneven muscle tension– some muscles are overstretched while others are too tight. This can create hip tightness on one side and weakness on the other, making movement feel off.
Joint Wear & Tear
If your body weight isn’t evenly distributed, one hip may bear more load than the other. Over time, this can lead to early joint degeneration and pain, especially with age or menopause (when bone and cartilage health declines).
Nerve Irritation
Your spine and pelvis house important nerves that affect your hips and legs. If scoliosis causes compression or irritation, you might feel pain, tingling, or weakness in one hip or down your leg.
How to Reduce Hip Pain with Scoliosis
- Strengthen & Lengthen
Balanced core and hip strengthening exercises can stabilize your pelvis. A scoliosis-specific approach such as Schroth helps correct imbalances rather than reinforcing them.
- Try this: Side-lying lifts, bridges, and controlled pelvic tilts
- Fix your Walking & Standing Posture
Avoid standing with your weight on one hip or “hanging” on one leg. This increases hip strain. Practice even weight distribution adn engage your core when walking.
- Mobilize & Release Tension
Tight hip muscles? Gentle stretching and targeted release work (like foam rolling or massage) can ease discomfort. Just be careful not to overstretch wrong areas
- Consider Impact Training
For those with hip pain and bone health concerns (osteopenia/osteoporosis), controlled impact exercise can help strengthen bones and joints without excessive strain.
- Get a Personalized Plan
Everyone’s scoliosis is different! A customized approach– not just generic stretching or strengthening– will get better results and prevent further imbalance
The Takeaway
Hip pain with scoliosis isn’t just about the hips—it’s about how your spine, pelvis, and muscles work together. Addressing the root cause (instead of just treating the pain) is the key to lasting relief.