Blog · Steve Hall · 11 March 2025
Osteopathy
Referred pain, explained
Why your hip can hurt when the problem is in your back — a clinic explanation from Steve Hall.
Symptoms and what they can mean
The brain maps sensation generously. Lumbar joints can be felt in the buttock or thigh. A hip can be felt in the knee. Chasing the sore spot with cream is why people stay stuck.
What we can do in clinic
Examination is how we tell referral from nerve root from local tendon. Treatment follows the source, not the Google diagram.
Red flags and when to see your GP
Chest or abdominal pain referred to the back with systemic features is medical. We do not massage that.
This article is general information for people considering care at Health at Hart in Hartley Wintney. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a promise of outcome. If you have sudden, severe or unexplained symptoms — including chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel or bladder changes, or a new neurological problem — seek urgent medical advice (NHS 111 or 999). UK osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Counsellors named here are BACP-registered where stated. Always check with your GP or insurer if you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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