My Doctor's Advice for Beating Hip Pain...

In my 20s, I struggled with chronic hip pain—clicking, snapping, pain while sitting, squatting, and even getting in and out of cars. The standard advice I got from doctors? “Just rest.” So I did. For years. And my pain only got worse.

Eventually, I started experimenting with exercise, mobility work, and strength training. I gradually began to feel better. But years later, in my 30s, I wanted to see what a non-surgical sports medicine doctor might suggest if I walked in as a patient today. So I did just that.

The doctor ran some basic tests—like the Thomas test—to assess hip flexor tightness. But the test setup was flawed: the exam table itself blocked full range of motion, so he couldn’t even measure what he said he was testing. Then came the standard impingement tests (FADIR and FABER), which are often cited as indicators of serious joint problems. What he didn’t mention? Those tests have poor reliability and weak correlation to actual hip joint damage.

After the exam, he advised me to stop dancing, weightlifting, martial arts—basically anything that loaded the hips. He told me I probably had arthritis and maybe a labral tear. I pushed for an MRI just to see what it would show. The results? No labral tear. Bone shapes within normal range. Some signs of arthritis, yes—but nothing unexpected for someone in their 30s.

Still, his recommendation stayed the same: stop using your hips so much. Which, when you think about it, is absurd. If you want strong muscles and bones, you need to load them. Avoiding movement only guarantees weakness, more stiffness, and eventually... more pain.

Since then, I’ve kept working on my hips—learning new ways to stretch and strengthen them, adjusting my routines based on the demands of surfing and life. And my hips today? They’re stronger and more mobile than they were in my 20s. Squats that once felt like bone grinding against bone now feel smooth and controlled.

This whole experience taught me something important: even well-meaning doctors can give terrible advice. The medical system tends to funnel people toward passivity—and eventually, surgery. But if you take time to understand your body, move thoughtfully, and challenge yourself within reason, you may be able to avoid that fate entirely.

There are free videos and resources available to help you get started on rebuilding your body. If you're looking for a step-by-step path to follow, you can explore my programs at uprighthealth.com/diy.

They’re all money-back guaranteed—so you can try them risk-free and see what works for you.

Whatever path you choose, remember...

Pain sucks. Life shouldn't.