Is My Pain Coming From My Back or My Hip? (And What If It’s Actually BPPV?)
Back, hip, and balance-related symptoms often overlap, especially in adults who feel pain when standing, walking, or rolling over in bed. This guide explains how to tell whether your discomfort is coming from your hip, your lower back, or a vestibular issue like BPPV. It also outlines when physical therapy is the best first step for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Hip vs. Back Pain
Back and hip pain are some of the most common issues Oklahomans face, and the symptoms often feel similar. Both areas support your ability to sit, walk, stand, and move — so when something goes wrong, the discomfort can spread.
Back pain often feels like:
Sharp or dull pressure in the lower spine
Pain radiating down the legs
Tingling or numbness
Hip pain often feels like:
Groin pain when you stand or rotate
Discomfort when walking or climbing stairs
Pain when sleeping on your side
A physical therapist can help determine which structure is causing the problem — and how to treat it.
When Pain Isn’t Just Orthopedic — The Vestibular Connection
Some patients report an unexpected pairing: pain + dizziness, especially when rolling over in bed or standing up quickly. This pattern can point to BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) — a common inner-ear condition caused by tiny displaced crystals.
With BPPV, you may feel:
Sudden spinning sensations
Imbalance or unsteadiness
Dizziness triggered by head movement
Orthopedic pain and BPPV can flare together because both affect your body’s stability and posture.
Why This Matters for Diagnosis
Back pain alone can be treated one way. Hip pain alone can be treated another way. But when dizziness enters the picture, your therapist needs to evaluate your inner-ear, vision, and neck systems, not just your joints. Ignoring vestibular symptoms can slow your recovery — especially if balance problems cause guarded movement or falls.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Your therapist at Next Level PT OKC can assess:
Hip joint mobility
Lumbar spine mechanics
Nerve tension
Balance and gait
BPPV maneuvers (Epley, Semont, etc.)
If BPPV is present, repositioning maneuvers often resolve it in 1–3 sessions.
