Physiotherapy & Sports Therapy for Hip Impingement (FAI)
It’s that sharp, “pinching” sensation deep in the front of your groin. You notice it when you’re driving for long periods, sitting in a deep chair, or trying to hit depth in your squats. Sometimes it’s a dull ache that spreads to the side of your hip, and other times it’s a sudden “catch” that makes you hesitate during sport.
You’ve likely been told you have Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI). The term sounds intimidating, and after looking it up, you might be worried that your bones are “shaped wrong” or that you’re destined for surgery to shave down a labral tear. You’re stretching your hip flexors and using a foam roller, but the “bite” remains.
You’re wondering:
- Do I have to stop squatting and running forever?
- Is the “clunking” in my hip causing permanent damage?
- Can physiotherapy actually change the way my hip joint moves?
At The Physio Crew, we specialise in the non-surgical management of hip impingement. We move you from “pinched” into a performance-driven recovery using elite biomechanical loading.
Common Symptoms
- Groin pain during deep hip flexion (squatting).
- Dull ache after prolonged sitting or driving.
- Pain when crossing your legs or getting out of a car.
- A “catching” or “clicking” sensation in the joint.
- Reduced range of motion in hip rotation.
Typical Causes
- Cam or Pincer bone morphology.
- High-volume sports (Football, Hockey, Dance).
- Weakness in the deep hip rotators and glutes.
- Poor pelvic control during high-load activities.
The Clinical Detail: Understanding FAI
FAI occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t fit together perfectly, causing friction during movement. This can be due to an extra bump of bone on the femoral head (Cam) or an overhanging socket rim (Pincer). However, bone shape is only one part of the story.
Many people have these bone shapes but have zero pain. Pain usually develops when the muscles that stabilise the ball in the socket—the glutes and deep rotators—become weak or deconditioned. Our goal isn’t to change your bones; it’s to change your joint mechanics through specialised loading.
The Physio Crew Treatment Pathway
1. Calm and Create Space (Phase I: 0–3 Weeks)
We identify your “pinch points” and modify your training to avoid excessive irritation. We use manual therapy and specific “joint centration” exercises to help the hip ball sit more centrally in the socket, creating immediate relief.
2. Foundation Strength (Phase II: 3–8 Weeks)
Using VALD Force Analytics, we measure the strength of your adductors and glutes. FAI patients often have a “strength gap” here. We start heavy isometric and eccentric loading to build a “muscular cage” that protects the joint during movement.
3. Dynamic Biomechanics (Phase III: 8–12 Weeks)
We transition back into your sport or gym movements. We teach you how to adjust your pelvis position during squats or running to prevent the “impingement” from occurring. We build resilience in the labrum through controlled, progressive force.
4. Return to Performance (Phase IV: 12+ Weeks)
Full return to high-impact sport. We clear you based on objective strength data and mobility metrics, ensuring you have the control needed to protect your hip joint for years to come.
The Technology of Recovery
Hip recovery shouldn’t be based on “how it feels.” We use VALD Force Analytics to get objective data on your hip power. If your glute-to-adductor ratio is off, your hip will continue to pinch. For secondary issues like trochanteric bursitis or naggy hip flexor tendons that often come with FAI, we use NICE-cleared Shockwave Therapy to settle the surrounding soft tissues.
DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUNDVisual Assessment →
SHOCKWAVE THERAPY (ESWT)NICE-Cleared Healing →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Rebuild Your Hip?
Don’t let a “pinch” dictate your performance. Let’s get you a clear diagnosis and a performance-driven plan.