08/27/2026
HIP & BACK PAIN: IT MAY ALL BE CONNECTED š
Did you know your hip and lower back are biomechanically connected through your pelvis?
When the hip becomes stiff or painful, your lumbar spine may have to pick up the movement your hip can no longer provide. In other words: when the hip doesnāt move, the spine may have to work harder.
Hereās what can happen:
š¦“ Limited hip extension ā more lumbar motion
When the hip doesnāt extend well, the low back may compensate by moving into greater extension. Over time, this can increase stress on the lumbar joints.
š Hip stiffness ā altered movement patterns
People with low back pain often demonstrate reduced hip mobilityāparticularly hip internal rotationāalong with changes in muscle activation and hip strength.
āļø The pelvis transfers load between the hip & spine
Because the hips and lumbar spine are linked through the pelvic ring, altered mechanics at one area can affect the other.
š¶āāļø Hip arthritis can contribute to back pain
Long-standing hip osteoarthritis can change the way you walk and move, potentially increasing stress on the lumbar spine.
šÆ And sometimes, itās hard to tell where the pain is coming from.
Hip problems can cause pain in the buttock, posterior thigh, or even the low back. Likewise, lumbar or sacroiliac problems can feel like posterior hip pain.
The takeaway:
If you have persistent hip or back pain, it may be worth looking at both areasānot just where the pain is felt.
At Elevated Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, we look at the whole movement system to help identify contributing factors and develop an individualized plan to get you moving with more confidence and less pain.
Healthy hips. Healthy spine. Better movement. š
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