How We Treat Hip Pain At Poneke Physio

Poneke Physiotherapy aids those seeking freedom from chronic hip pain by targeting its true causes in the body and nervous system—not just symptoms. Our physiotherapists use advanced technology, hands-on techniques, tailored rehab, and stress management to handle everything from fresh injuries to stubborn cases. We offer transformative care in a welcoming, friendly environment where genuine support and clear communication are essentials—values our physiotherapists uphold for effective relief.

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Our team offers a wide range of treatments, helping you to achieve your recovery goals. 

Our 3 Step Treatment Process

Successful management and relief of stubborn hip pain can be surprisingly straight forward. Yet in other instances a highly systematic, focused, and persistent approach may be required to get your hip pain under control. 

We specialise in providing flexible multidisciplinary pain relief – using a wide range of tools and techniques. This ensures we have the best possible chance that we can help everyone: from the most easy straightforward cases right through to the most stubborn treatment resistant forms of  pain.

Step One

Find The Cause

Step Two

Hands On Pain Relief

Step Three

Rehabilitation And Prevention

Step One - Find the Cause

Getting to the bottom of your hip pain means finding out where exactly the pain is coming from – and exactly what is causing it.

The first thing we want to know is which tissues are generating your pain. 

Hip pain can come from muscle, tendons, joints, ligaments, nerves, bones, fascia (connective tissue) or even an internal organ. Establishing clearly which tissue is creating the pain is the first step towards relief. But we don’t stop there because we want to know WHY you are suffering.

Some hip pains are caused by damaged or degenerated tissue. Some hip pains are caused by weakness deep in the core and hip. Some hip pains are caused by psychological stress. Some hip pains are caused by scar tissue from old injuries. Some hip pains are caused by the nature of a persons job. Some hip pains can even be caused by having flat feet or a rotated pelvis. 

Finding out why you have hip pain is essential if you want longer term relief from pain. Which is why we place great importance on this step.  We have a wide range of technologies and tests at our disposal, in order to identify the source of hip pain. In the unlikely event that you need an X Ray or MRI to diagnose your pain we can organise a referral for the relevant imaging for you on the spot.

Step Two - Hands On Pain Relief

In most cases of hip pain, it’s necessary to work with someone who combines a variety of technologies and hands-on methods to ease your hip pain. So that’s exactly what we do.

Most people who require treatment for stubborn hip pain don’t respond particularly well to just being given home exercises. Much in the same way that most people with toothache don’t respond too well to just being sent home with some dental floss. When toothache is bad you need a filling, when hip pain is bad you need access to treatments and technologies that ease your pain.

If you have chronic hip pain you almost certainly need hands on treatments with professionals who are trained to physically relieve the pain for you. We use some of the most advanced pain technology available anywhere combined with a wide range of skill based manual techniques.

Step Three - Rehabilitation And Prevention

Successful long term prevention of hip pain often requires more than just the right ‘treatments’. 

For many patients, hip pain treatments that bring some blessed relief are often just the start point. Stress management, postural correction, lifestyle tweaks, workstation tweaks and even dietary tweaks are often necessary. Muscle weakness deep in the core is also a key issue.

Most cases of hip pain are either caused by something that we are doing wrong or something that the body needs help with like core strength or alignment. Making necessary  adjustments to your lifestyle and the wellbeing of your body may be necessary for longer term success. Coaching for these important changes in those who wish to make them is a part of what we do

Our Team

Zabad Michael

DPT (Doctor of Physiotherapy)

Kade Christensen

BHSc. EMT, CERT. ST (Sports Therapy & Paramedicine)

Different Ways To Get In Touch

Appointment Request Form

If you are in a lot of pain and need an urgent appointment please call us.

If you need a regular appointment just fill out the form below and we will be in touch. 

Call Us

04 385 6446

Text Us

027 608 8083

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Treatments and Technologies Physiotherapists Use for Hip Pain

There are many different ways to treat hip pain, and it’s just as well because we don’t all respond to the same stuff. 

The ultimate key to successful treatment of hip pain is working with a team who are willing to take a sufficiently flexible approach, and trial a number of different therapies to see what works best on your specific case. 

Shockwave therapy applies high-energy soundwaves to repair damaged hip tissues, a technique physiotherapists use for effective pain relief and healing. It increases blood flow and reduces scar tissue in tendons around the hip joint. Patients often improve within sessions, as research supports its value for tendinopathy. Physiotherapy uses this non-invasive method to enhance hip function with evidence-based care.

Low-level laser therapy (LLT) uses specific light wavelengths (660-905nm) to treat hip pain and inflammation, a method physiotherapists use for quick results. It targets tissues to boost cellular energy, speeding repair and reducing swelling in the hip joint. Patients typically report less pain after sessions, and studies show improved tissue metabolism. Physiotherapy includes this approach to support recovery.

Post-isometric stretches relax hip muscles, a technique physiotherapists use to reduce tension with reflex-based methods. They guide patients through controlled stretches to ease tendon stiffness after repetitive use. Research confirms this improves motion, and physiotherapy applies it to enhance hip comfort with evidence-based care.

Trigger point release uses manual pressure to relieve tight hip muscles, a method physiotherapists deliver with precision. They target sore spots to improve blood flow and relax overuse-related tissues. Studies support its effectiveness, and patients often experience relief within sessions. Physiotherapy integrates this for comprehensive hip pain management.

Acupuncture and dry needling insert fine needles into hip pain sites for ~10 minutes, a method physiotherapists use to promote healing. They enhance circulation in tendons around the joint, typically reducing pain within sessions. Research shows it lowers discomfort, and physiotherapy applies this non-invasive option to improve recovery.

Spinalmobilisationn corrects locked lower back joints, a technique physiotherapists use to improve hip motion impacted by posture. They apply precise movements to the lumbar spine, reducing stiffness from prolonged sitting. Studies confirm this enhances range, and physiotherapy targets hip-related joint issues with evidence-based care.

The Graston Technique uses tools to reduce hip scar tissue, a method physiotherapists apply to improve flexibility. They target buildup from past strains to restore tendon function. Research supports its ability to enhance repair, and physiotherapy reduces pain with this clinical approach for sustained relief.

Problems with the feet cause Gait Scan & Custom Orthotic PrescriptionManyy cases of hip pain. Pronation syndromes, flat feet and arch instability are all common suspects. In these cases, physiotherapists use computerised gait analysis to diagnose the underlying ‘wheel alignment’ issues. For many people, custom orthotics

Exercise prescription builds hip resilience after pain relief, a step physiotherapists take with routines like glute stretches. They tailor programs to prevent recurrence after initial treatment, as studies show this outperforms rest. Physiotherapy improves hip function with evidence-based care for effective, long-term results.

There are many scenarios in which hip surgery becomes unavoidable. The good news is, however, that this is less than 1% of all hip pain cases. The best way to approach the possibility of surgery is to start with careful diagnostics followed by whatever non-invasive treatments are on offer for your specific issues. Then, if all that doesn’t work, it may be time to talk to a surgeon.

Cortisone injections carry risks like tendon damage, so physiotherapists prefer other options for hip pain over temporary relief. They use therapies like laser or shockwave to support healing, avoiding issues noted in research with cortisone’s long-term effects. Physiotherapy provides effective relief with evidence-based methods.

Our 5 Pain Treatment Fundamentals

Hands On Treatments

We are in the business of helping you get out of pain. The heart of our clinical process is a committed and very hands on approach to relieving your hip pain as quickly, painlessly and safely as possible. We are willing to use a wide range of tools and also to work tirelessly in our efforts to get you out of pain.

Flexible Treatment Approach

Even among professionals there is little agreement on the best ways to treat pain. If there is one thing that we know for certain about pain management though, it’s that a flexible multidisciplinary treatment approach to hip pain is best. This is why we take such great care to provide the most diverse range of pain relief tools possible under one roof.

Get To The Bottom Of It

The human body seldom if ever generates pain for no reason. Pain is a highly organised and intelligent form of feedback that we have evolved over millions of years. In other words if you have pain it will be for a good reason. We always strive to find the deepest possible explanation for your pain so that you have the best possible chance of preventing it in the longer term.

Excellent Communication

Unlike a one-off filling at the dentist, successfully managing hip pain is a process. A process that often requires commitment, trust and clear communication. We believe that clear and open communication combined with genuine rapport are fundamental within our arsenal of pain management tools.

Assume Nothing 

Just because a treatment has worked for us a thousand times before; doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to work on you! Pain management is not a ‘1 size fits all’ moment in life. We monitor our patients’ response to treatment very closely. This approach enables us to make agile treatment protocols that can be altered in real time should we find that you aren’t responding to the methods that we expect to work for you.

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Our Locations

Wellington

3/23 Waring Taylor Street

Wairarapa

82 Main Street, Greytown

Different Ways To Get In Touch

Appointment Request Form

If you are in a lot of pain and need an urgent appointment please call us.

If you need a regular appointment just fill out the form below and we will be in touch. 

Call Us

04 385 6446

Text Us

027 608 8083