The Real Reason Your Hip Keeps Waking You Up
You roll onto your side.
A few minutes later, your hip starts aching.
You switch sides.
Eventually that side starts hurting too.
Now you’re awake at 2 a.m. trying to find a comfortable position.
Sound familiar?
This is one of the most common complaints we hear from women over 40 in Lafayette.
And surprisingly, it often isn’t arthritis.
Where Is the Pain Located?
Most patients point to the outside of the hip.
Not the groin.
Not the low back.
The outside of the hip.
This area sits near a bony point called the greater trochanter.
What Is Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome?
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) is a condition involving irritation of the tissues on the outside of the hip.
This may include:
Gluteal tendons
Bursa tissue
Hip stabilizing muscles
The condition is especially common in:
Women over 40
Runners
Walkers
Active adults
Common Symptoms
You may have GTPS if you notice:
- Pain sleeping on your side
- Pain walking long distances
- Pain climbing stairs
- Pain getting out of a car
- Tenderness on the outside of the hip
Why Does It Hurt More at Night?
When you lie on your side, your body weight compresses the irritated tissues.
This increases pressure and often increases pain.
Many patients mistakenly assume this means they need a softer mattress.
Usually the mattress is not the root problem.
Can Shockwave Therapy Help?
Shockwave therapy is increasingly used for chronic tendon-related hip pain.
Research suggests it may help:
Reduce pain
Improve function
Stimulate tissue healing
Many patients choose shockwave therapy because it is:
Non-surgical
Drug-free
Non-invasive
What Else Helps?
Treatment may also include:
* Strengthening exercises
* Activity modification
* Chiropractic care
* Mobility work
* Walking and exercise recommendations
Skip the injections if you can, right?
Frequently Asked Questions
* Is this bursitis?
Sometimes, but many cases previously called bursitis are actually tendon-related.
* Why does it hurt when I sleep?
Pressure on irritated tissues often triggers symptoms.
* Is hip arthritis causing this?
Hip arthritis usually causes groin pain more than side-hip pain.
* Can shockwave therapy help?
Many patients with chronic lateral hip pain respond well to shockwave therapy.
* Will it go away on its own?
Some cases improve, but chronic symptoms often require treatment.
Tired of Losing Sleep Because of Hip Pain?
You shouldn’t have to constantly switch positions all night.
Let’s determine what’s causing your hip pain and create a treatment plan that helps.
Scoliosis Center of Louisiana
Dr. Justin Trosclair, DC
📞 337-453-5199 Call us Today or text
Serving Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, Scott, Carencro, and Acadiana.