Why is one of your hips tighter than the other? 4 potential explanations

Have you ever tried to perform an exercise during a workout that left your hip feeling tight and potentially even painful? Tightness in the hips can not only be frustrating to deal with, but can also make seemingly simple exercises and movements difficult to perform. 

If you have one hip that’s tighter than the other, read below to learn more about possible causes and what may be the best kind of treatment for you.

What are some of the possible explanations for having one hip that is tighter than the other?

  • Scoliosis — Scoliosis is a condition in which the alignment of the backbone is abnormal. The curvature of the spine can sometimes cause misalignments in the pelvis and hips as a result and make one hip tighter than the other.
  • Different length legs — Some people are born with differences in the lengths of each of their legs. These different leg lengths can cause an imbalance in the alignment of the hips, called lateral pelvic tilt. This pelvic tilt can also be the cause of hip tightness and hip-related conditions that cause pain or discomfort.
  • Fallen arches — When someone experiences a fallen arch, their hips may become unaligned as a result. Fallen arches can occur from being overweight, pregnancy, overpronation, or from repeated stress on the arches of the foot. When one or both of the arches of the feet fall, the hips can become affected too.
  • Muscle imbalances — Muscular imbalances are another possible cause of having one hip that is tighter than the other. Sitting in one position for too long repeatedly, for instance, can cause muscle weakness and imbalance and ultimately contribute to tightness in the hips.

What are some of the treatment options available to those who have one hip that is tighter than the other?

  • Physical therapy.
  • Orthopedic inserts.
  • Surgery (in severe cases).

The type of treatment that might work best for you depends on the root cause of your hip tightness. However, physical therapy is the one treatment method that may be universally beneficial in each of the scenarios that may be the cause of one hip that is tighter than the other. Keep reading below to learn why physical therapy should be your go-to treatment method to address your hips. 

Why is physical therapy the method you should choose to treat one hip that is tighter than the other?

  • It’s noninvasive — You should want to choose physical therapy as your primary treatment method because it’s one of the most effective noninvasive treatment methods available. It’s a gentle type of treatment that allows you to operate within your pain threshold to improve your symptoms.
  • It can improve your range of motion — Another benefit of choosing physical therapy as a treatment method for one hip that’s tighter than the other is that it can improve your range of motion. The exercises you’ll be guided through are designed to increase the range with which you can move your hips and make daily movements easier to complete.
  • It can improve your flexibility — An added benefit of seeing a physical therapist for one hip that is tighter than the other is it can increase your level of flexibility. The movements you perform during each session will help stretch your hip muscles and increase your capacity to move with limited stiffness and discomfort.
  • It can alleviate some of the pain and discomfort — If the tightness in your hips is causing you to experience pain and discomfort, physical therapy is a great way to alleviate some of that. Therapists can work within your pain tolerance to strengthen your muscles and address your condition so that you may feel less pain as a result.

What kinds of exercises might a physical therapist have you perform to address one hip that’s tighter than the other?

  • Hip flexor stretches.
  • Leg lifts.
  • Clamshells.
  • Glute bridges.
  • Banded side steps.

SSOR can provide you with the guidance you need during PT to address hip tightness

Here at Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation, we strive to provide a level of care to our clients that they can’t get anywhere else. We supply care in a hands-on approach, treatment plans that are unique to each individual, and compassion to sweeten your care at each one of our multiple clinic locations. If you’re looking for a professional to help you address why one of your hips is tighter than the other, you’ll find what you’re looking for at SSOR.

We value patient education, evidence-based outcomes and maintaining an atmosphere of empathy. Our team is made up of highly qualified, licensed physical therapists and experienced professionals and aim to help improve your physical health while helping you reach your wellness goals. 

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.