How to Tell the Difference Between Hip and Lower Back Pain
- Caitlin Sembach
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Spot the Symptoms, Understand the Cause, and Find Lasting Relief!
If you’re feeling discomfort in your lower body but can’t tell if it’s coming from your hip or your lower back, you’re not alone. These two areas often share overlapping symptoms—and it’s not uncommon for hip and lower back pain to be misdiagnosed or mistreated.
Understanding the difference between hip pain, lower back pain, and sciatica can help you make informed decisions about your health and get the right care—whether that’s deep tissue massage, chiropractic adjustments, targeted hip and lower back pain stretches, or even a combination approach!
Let’s explore the key signs and symptoms that can help you identify the most likely source of your pain.
Hip Pain vs. Lower Back Pain: What to Look For 👀
1. Pain Location
Hip Pain is usually felt in the groin, outside of the hip, or upper thigh.
Lower Back Pain centers around the lumbar spine or buttocks and may shoot down the leg, which is often comes with sciatica symptoms when traveling down the back of the thigh or calf.
2. Type of Pain 🚨
Hip Pain may feel like a sharp, pinching, or aching sensation, especially during leg movements, running, or prolonged standing.
Lower Back Pain may be dull and stiff or sharp and shooting, particularly when bending, sitting, or lifting, or transitioning from sitting to standing and vice versa.
3. Pain That Travels 🚗
Hip-Related Pain might extend to the front of the thigh, but rarely below the knee and the sensation of pain is not often described as tingly - this may be lower back and nerve pain in disguise!
Sciatica and Lower Back Pain can radiate past the knee into the calf or foot, often with numbness, tingling, or burning sensations.
When Stretching Isn’t Enough
Sometimes home remedies like tapering down exercise or stretching can help—but often they’re not enough when deeper structural or neurological issues are at play. That’s why a professional assessment is essential.
At Sembach Chiropractic in Virginia Beach, we offer a full suite of hip and lower back pain treatments, including:
Chiropractic adjustments to optimize joint mobility and reduce pain
Soft tissue techniques, like cupping to relieve muscle tightness, reduce inflammation, and allow for faster recovery from workouts
Customized hip and lower back pain stretches and mobility, exercise progression programs to get long-term relief
Careful evaluation of your hips, lower back, and nerves during our Comprehensive Examination
Expert guidance from a trusted hip and lower back pain chiropractor, Dr. Caitlin Sembach
When Should You See a Doctor?
If your pain:
Lingers for more than a few days
Interferes with exercise, walking, sitting, or sleeping
Radiates into your leg or foot (a sign of sciatica or nerve pain)
Causes numbness or tingling (also a sign of nerve pain)
Doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relief
…it’s time to schedule a consultation. Ignoring symptoms may lead to more serious conditions down the road as well as significant reduction in the activities you love!
Meet Dr. Cait Sembach – Virginia Beach’s Trusted Hip & Lower Back Pain Expert
At Sembach Chiropractic, Dr. Cait takes a personalized, whole-body approach to healing. With a focus on helping veterans, athletes, and everyday health seekers, she uses advanced techniques to get to the root of the problem—not just mask the symptoms.
Whether you’re dealing with hip pain, lower back tension, or sciatica, you’ll receive care that’s personal, precise, and effective.
Ready to Feel Better?
Don’t let hip or lower back pain slow you down. Whether you're looking for relief from sciatica or a long-term plan to prevent flare-ups, Dr. Cait Sembach at Sembach Chiropractic in Virginia Beach is here to help you move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free.
Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward relief and recovery with our FREE Discovery Call.
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