By Dr. William Charschan Quick Summary Definition: Hip bursitis involves inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) cushioning the hip joint, typically categorized as trochanteric bursitis (outer hip) or iliopsoas bursitis (groin). The Core Problem: Treating only the local site of pain fails because bursitis is almost always a secondary compensation resulting from structural imbalances, kinetic chain breakdowns, or faulty gait mechanics. The Charschan Chiropractic Approach: Rather than masking symptoms with drugs or passive rest, care focuses on engineering-driven structural evaluations, Myofascial Release Technique (MRT), Graston Technique, and active rehabilitation to fix the root mechanical cause. What is Hip Bursitis? The hip joint relies on bursae—small, lubricating sacs—to reduce friction between moving bones, tendons, and muscles. When subjected to abnormal friction or structural overload, these sacs become inflamed. Trochanteric Bursitis: Causes localized tenderness and sharp or aching pain on the outer side of the hip, frequently aggravated by sleeping on the affected side or walking. Iliopsoas Bursitis: Centers deep in the front of the hip or groin, often linked to repetitive strain from hip flexors and altered pelvic mechanics. Moving Beyond the “Overuse” Myth Traditional medical frameworks often dismiss hip bursitis as a random “overuse injury.” However, from a sports medicine perspective, bursitis is a warning light indicating that the body’s kinetic chain is misaligned. If a runner, athlete, or active individual alters their gait due to pelvic unleveling, poor core stability, or tight fascial restrictions, the hip bursa absorbs excessive friction with every stride. Treating just the bursa while ignoring the mechanics guarantees recurrence. The Charschan Chiropractic Sports Medicine Approach Led by Dr. William D. Charschan—a chiropractic sports physician with an engineering background—Charschan Chiropractic treats hip pain by evaluating the entire body as an integrated machine. 1. Full-Body Biomechanical & Kinetic Chain Evaluation Instead of only looking at the sore spot on the hip, evaluations assess how the entire lower kinetic chain functions: Gait & Walking Mechanics: Analyzing stride patterns to uncover hidden asymmetries. Pelvic and Spinal Alignment: Checking for structural tilts that unlevel the pelvis and force the hip to overcompensate. Functional Testing: Assessing squat mechanics, range of motion, and joint integrity. 2. Advanced Soft Tissue Therapies Fascial tension and hypertonic muscles constantly pull on the hip joint. Treatment incorporates specialized hands-on methods to release restrictions: Myofascial Release Technique (MRT): Targeted soft tissue manipulation to free up bound muscle, tendon, and connective tissue layers. Graston Technique: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization designed to break down scar tissue, accelerate healing, and restore normal glide to the tissues surrounding the hip. 3. Active Rehabilitation & Functional Integration In-Office Rehabilitation: Utilizing targeted exercise protocols to retrain stabilizing muscles (such as the glutes and core) so they properly support the hip joint. Customized Stretches & Movement Re-education: Correcting movement patterns to ensure long-term injury prevention. Drug-Free, Non-Invasive Care: Avoiding the temporary fixes of long-term NSAIDs or repeated steroid injections by fixing the mechanical faults driving the inflammation. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What does hip bursitis pain feel like? It typically presents as a sharp, burning ache on the outer side of the hip or deep in the groin. It is usually tender to direct pressure, making it difficult to lie on the affected side or walk comfortably. Why does hip bursitis keep coming back after resting? Rest only lowers acute inflammation temporarily. If the underlying mechanical fault—such as an uneven gait, pelvic tilt, or muscle imbalances—is not corrected, the friction on the bursa will resume the moment you return to normal activity. How does Charschan Chiropractic treat sports-related hip pain differently? By applying an engineering-based “body mechanic” perspective, the practice looks beyond the symptom site to fix full-body kinetic chain dysfunctions using myofascial release, soft tissue tools, and active rehabilitation rather than generic rest or symptom masking. Contact Charschan Chiropractic and Sports Injury Associates Ready to fix the root cause of your hip pain? Reach out to our offices: North Brunswick, NJ Office: 732-846-6400 Zocdoc Scotch Plains, NJ Office: 732-829-0009 Charschan Chiropractic Website: www.backfixer1.com