🚶 Hip — Exercises Studied in Research
Real findings from published clinical studies. Not opinions, not ads — just what researchers actually found, with the evidence behind each approach.
Compiled and reviewed by: Milena Orlandić — Licensed Physiotherapist — Specialist in Applied Physiotherapy (Neurorehabilitation) · Nikola Orlandić — Licensed Physiotherapist — Specialist in Applied Physiotherapy (Neurorehabilitation) · Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Technology
Evidence last updated:
Does it work? — what research found
Every approach studied for conditions in this area, sorted by where clinical guidelines stand — not by popularity. Open a condition below for its own evidence summary. Full details and dosing are part of the complete review.
| Approach | Studies | Reviewed by | What science says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Therapy (Combined Programs)done with a specialistStudies: 26 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | 26 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sBeating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | Evidence supports it |
| Patient Educationyou can do this at homeStudies: 7 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | 7 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sBeating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | Evidence supports it |
| Self-Management Programyou can do this at homeStudies: 6 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | 6 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sBeating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | Evidence supports it |
| Weight Managementyou can do this at homeStudies: 5 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | 5 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sBeating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +3 | Evidence supports it |
| Hip Strengthening (Abductors / Gluteals)you can do this at homeStudies: 13 · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru), ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) +1 | 13 | OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) +1 | Evidence supports it |
| Tai Chiyou can do this at homeStudies: 9 · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru), ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) +1 | 9 | OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) +1 | Evidence supports it |
| NSAIDs (General)done with a specialistStudies: 1 · Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011), OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) | 1 | Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011)OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) | Evidence supports it |
| Aerobic Exercise (Walking Program)you can do this at homeStudies: 5 · EULAR 2023 (Moseng) | 5 | EULAR 2023 (Moseng) | Evidence supports it |
| Yoga / Chair Yogayou can do this at homeStudies: 1 · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru), ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) +1 | 1 | OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) +1 | May help |
| Balance Trainingyou can do this at homeStudies: 7 · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski), EULAR 2023 (Moseng) | 7 | ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)EULAR 2023 (Moseng) | May help |
| Heat Therapy / Thermotherapydone with a specialistStudies: 1 · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru), ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | 1 | OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | May help |
| Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)done with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | May help |
Show all 31 approaches ↓
| Approach | Studies | Reviewed by | What science says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balneotherapy + Home Exercisedone with a specialistStudies: 1 · not yet reviewed | 1 | not yet reviewed | May help |
| Manual Therapy / Hip Mobilizationdone with a specialistStudies: 4 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) +1 | 4 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sOARSI 2019 (Bannuru) +1 | Not enough research yet |
| Aquatic Exercise / Hydrotherapyyou can do this at homeStudies: 6 · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru), EULAR 2023 (Moseng) | 6 | OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)EULAR 2023 (Moseng) | Not enough research yet |
| Balneotherapy / Spa Therapydone with a specialistStudies: 2 · not yet reviewed | 2 | not yet reviewed | Not enough research yet |
| Electroacupuncturedone with a specialistStudies: 1 · not yet reviewed | 1 | not yet reviewed | Not enough research yet |
| Exercise Therapy + Manual Therapydone with a specialistStudies: 1 · not yet reviewed | 1 | not yet reviewed | Not enough research yet |
| Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation)done with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +2 | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sBeating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +2 | Science does not support it |
| Glucosaminedone with a specialistStudies: 5 trials (placebo-controlled); 6 total sharing data · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +1 | 5 trials (placebo-controlled); 6 total sharing data | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sBeating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +1 | Science does not support it |
| Opioidsdone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) +1 | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sOARSI 2019 (Bannuru) +1 | Science does not support it |
| TENS / Electrotherapydone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +1 | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sBeating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) +1 | Science does not support it |
| Acupuncturedone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | Science does not support it |
| Laser Therapy / LLLTdone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s, OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16sOARSI 2019 (Bannuru) | Science does not support it |
| Massage Therapydone with a specialistStudies: 1 · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru), ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | 1 | OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | Science does not support it |
| Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)done with a specialistStudies: 1 · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru), ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | 1 | OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski) | Science does not support it |
| Dry Needlingdone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | Science does not support it |
| Hip Arthroscopydone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | Science does not support it |
| Interferential Currentdone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | Science does not support it |
| Shortwave Diathermydone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | Science does not support it |
| Therapeutic Ultrasounddone with a specialistStudies: 1 · NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | 1 | NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s | Science does not support it |
Conditions in this area
Conditions in this area with published evidence — pick one to see what studies describe.
What science does not support
These approaches are widely offered, but published research found they do not help for at least one condition in this area. Listed so you know — not as advice about any individual case.
- Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation)Not supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s · Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)
- GlucosamineNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s · Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)
- OpioidsNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)
- TENS / ElectrotherapyNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s · Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011) · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)
- AcupunctureNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)
- Laser Therapy / LLLTNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s · OARSI 2019 (Bannuru)
- Massage TherapyNot supported by research
OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)Not supported by research
OARSI 2019 (Bannuru) · ACR/AF 2019 (Kolasinski)
- Dry NeedlingNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s
- Hip ArthroscopyNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s
- Interferential CurrentNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s
- Shortwave DiathermyNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s
- Therapeutic UltrasoundNot supported by research
NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s
Whether any of this applies to your situation is something your physiotherapist or doctor can assess after examining you.
Frequently asked
What works for Hip according to research?
Research supports: Exercise Therapy (Combined Programs), Patient Education, Self-Management Program, Weight Management, Hip Strengthening (Abductors / Gluteals), Tai Chi. Based on NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s; Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011); OARSI 2019 (Bannuru).
What does not work for Hip according to research?
Research found no benefit from routine use of: Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation), Glucosamine, Opioids, TENS / Electrotherapy, Acupuncture, Laser Therapy / LLLT. Based on NICE NG226 2022 — Osteoarthritis in over 16s; Beating osteoARThritis: stepped care strategy (Smink 2011); OARSI 2019 (Bannuru).
How much research is this based on?
For Hip, 31 approaches were evaluated, of which 27 have been reviewed by research bodies. Every data point traces to a published source.
Educational Information — PhysioSense is an educational reference tool based on published research. It does NOT replace a medical examination or physiotherapy assessment. If you have severe pain, new symptoms, or are unsure — see a doctor or physiotherapist. You always make the final decision about your exercise. Pain is a signal to stop.
