Short answer: Pain on the outside of your hip that gets worse when you lie on that side is most often caused by irritated gluteal tendons, a condition doctors call greater trochanteric pain syndrome and many people know as “hip bursitis.” Shockwave therapy is a well-studied, non-surgical treatment for it: in one randomized trial, focused shockwave lowered hip pain more than ultrasound therapy, and in another, three weekly shockwave sessions worked as well as a cortisone shot, with no needle. At Adisi Health Center in Hinsdale, sessions take about 20 minutes with no downtime, and you can start with a free 20-minute phone call with Dr. Steve Petzel at (630) 887-1900.

Why does my hip hurt when I lie on my side?

When you lie on your side, your body weight presses directly on the bony point on the outside of your hip (the greater trochanter). The tendons of two hip muscles, the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus, attach right there, along with a small fluid-filled sac called a bursa. If those tendons are irritated or worn down, that pressure is enough to wake you up at night.

For years this was simply called trochanteric bursitis. Research now shows that in most people the main problem is the gluteal tendons themselves, with the bursa often irritated along with them. That’s why the broader name, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, is used today. It’s more common in women and in adults in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Mature woman lying awake in bed, the kind of sleepless night outer hip pain from hip bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy can cause, treated in Hinsdale, IL

What are the signs of hip bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy?

Common signs include:

  • Aching or sharp pain on the outside of the hip, sometimes spreading down the side of the thigh
  • Pain when lying on the sore side, and sometimes on the other side too, as the top leg drops across your body
  • Pain getting up from a low chair or out of the car
  • Pain climbing stairs or walking uphill
  • Tenderness when you press on the bony point of the hip
  • Pain standing on one leg, like when putting on pants

Pain felt mostly in the groin is more typical of the hip joint itself, such as arthritis, and pain that starts in the low back and shoots down the leg can come from a nerve. Dr. Petzel’s exam helps sort out which one you’re dealing with.

Why won’t my outer hip pain go away?

Gluteal tendon pain tends to linger because the tendons get loaded every time you walk, climb stairs, or sleep on that side. Rest helps for a while, but the tissue often doesn’t heal well on its own. Like other long-lasting tendon problems, it’s often more about worn-down, poorly healing tendon than simple inflammation, which is why pills and rest often give only short-term relief.

Common triggers include:

  • A jump in walking, running, hiking, or stair climbing
  • Sitting with your legs crossed or standing with your weight shifted onto one hip
  • Weak hip muscles
  • Changes in hormones and tendon health that come with age

How does shockwave therapy treat hip bursitis?

Shockwave therapy sends acoustic pressure waves into the sore tendon to restart your body’s own healing response: more blood flow, breakdown of scar tissue, and new collagen production. For outer hip pain, we treat the tender area over the bony point of the hip and the surrounding gluteal tendons.

Adisi has both Storz Medical radial and focused shockwave units on-site. Radial shockwave spreads energy over a broader area, which suits the muscles and tendons around the side of the hip. Focused shockwave concentrates energy at a precise depth for the tendon attachment underneath. Learn more in radial vs. focused shockwave explained.

Does shockwave therapy work for hip bursitis? What the research says

Studies of shockwave for greater trochanteric pain syndrome have been encouraging:

  • Shockwave vs. other nonsurgical care (2009): In a controlled study of 66 people with long-lasting outer hip pain, those treated with low-energy shockwave saw average pain drop from 8.5 to 2.7 out of 10 at 12 months, compared with 6.3 in the group that got other nonsurgical care. The shockwave group also had more excellent and good results (Furia et al., American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2009; PubMed 19439756).
  • Focused shockwave vs. ultrasound therapy (2019): In a randomized trial of 50 patients with gluteal tendinopathy, whose average age was 61 and most of whom were women, focused shockwave reduced pain significantly more than ultrasound therapy. Pain scores were 2.08 vs. 3.36 at two months and 0.79 vs. 2.03 at six months on a 0 to 10 scale (Carlisi et al., Clinical Rehabilitation, 2019; PubMed 30585498).
  • Shockwave vs. a cortisone shot (2023): In a randomized trial of 60 patients ages 34 to 65, three weekly shockwave sessions improved pain, hip tenderness, and function as much as a cortisone injection at three weeks and three months, giving patients a needle-free option with similar results (Çağlar Yağcı et al., Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2023; PubMed 37671381).
  • Hospital for Special Surgery review (2025): A systematic review of 18 studies on shockwave for tendon problems around the hip and pelvis found that shockwave significantly improved pain and function in 17 of them, and every study that measured pain showed improvement. Most protocols used 3 to 4 weekly sessions. The authors concluded shockwave may be safe and effective for these conditions (Rau et al., HSS Journal, 2025; PubMed 40292269).

For a roundup of more hip and Achilles studies, see shockwave for hip and Achilles tendon pain.

Is shockwave better than a cortisone shot for hip bursitis?

A cortisone shot can calm pain quickly, and in the 2023 trial above, shockwave matched it at three weeks and three months without a needle. Shockwave works by encouraging the tendon to heal rather than just quieting the pain. If you’ve already had a cortisone shot, you must wait at least 6 weeks after your last injection before starting shockwave. For a deeper comparison in the foot, see shockwave vs. a cortisone shot.

How many shockwave sessions will my hip need, and does it hurt?

Most patients see significant improvement after 6 sessions, each about 20 minutes and spaced about one week apart, with many noticing a real change by sessions 3 to 4. Dr. Petzel builds a personalized plan based on your exam.

Most people feel only mild discomfort, often described as a strong tapping over the sore spot. There is no downtime, and we recommend avoiding high-impact activity for 24 to 48 hours after each session. See does shockwave therapy hurt? for more.

What can I do at home to help my hip heal?

These habits take pressure off the gluteal tendons while shockwave does its work:

  • Avoid lying on the sore side for now, and put a pillow between your knees when you lie on the other side
  • Don’t cross your legs when sitting, and avoid standing with your weight hanging on one hip
  • Choose higher chairs so you’re not getting up from deep, low seats
  • Strengthen your hips gradually with exercises Dr. Petzel recommends, since strong gluteal muscles protect the tendons
  • Ease back into hills, stairs, and long walks rather than jumping right in

Woman doing a standing leg exercise with a resistance band on a mat, the kind of hip strengthening that supports shockwave therapy for gluteal tendinopathy in Hinsdale, IL

How much does shockwave for hip pain cost in Hinsdale?

Shockwave at Adisi Health Center is simple cash-pay pricing, with HSA and FSA accepted:

  • New patient evaluation: $249, a 45-minute visit with a full exam, health history review, and your first shockwave treatment
  • 6-session protocol: $1,050 (about $175 per session, saves $150)
  • Single session: $200 per treatment area

No referral is needed and same-week openings are often available. Full details are in how much does shockwave therapy cost in Hinsdale?

Is there a faster way to get back to sleeping comfortably?

Yes. Our wellness memberships are our most committed option for accelerated recovery. Both plans let you combine up to 4 therapies per visit, including shockwave, Class IV laser, EMTT, and TECAR, and the Premium plan includes 2 shockwave sessions per week.

Who shouldn’t get shockwave therapy?

Shockwave is non-invasive, but it isn’t right for everyone. It may not be a good fit if you:

  • Are pregnant
  • Have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
  • Have an infection, open wound, or tumor in the treatment area
  • Have a pacemaker or other implanted device near the treatment site
  • Have had a cortisone shot in the area recently. You must wait at least 6 weeks after your last cortisone shot before starting shockwave.

Dr. Petzel reviews your health history and examines your hip and low back before any treatment. Get checked promptly rather than waiting if your hip pain started with a fall, if you can’t put weight on your leg, if the hip is hot, red, or swollen or you have a fever, if you have unexplained weight loss or night pain that doesn’t change with position, or if you have numbness or weakness in your leg, since those can point to a fracture, infection, or nerve problem that needs a different approach.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my hip hurt when I lie on my side?
Lying on your side presses on the bony point of the outer hip, where the gluteal tendons and a bursa sit. When those tendons are irritated, a condition called greater trochanteric pain syndrome or hip bursitis, that pressure causes pain and can wake you at night.

Is hip bursitis the same as gluteal tendinopathy?
They overlap. Research shows most outer hip pain comes mainly from irritated gluteal tendons, often with an irritated bursa too. Doctors group them as greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

Does shockwave therapy work for hip bursitis?
Studies are encouraging. In a randomized trial, focused shockwave reduced gluteal tendon pain more than ultrasound therapy at two and six months, and a 2025 review found shockwave improved pain and function in 17 of 18 studies of hip and pelvis tendon problems.

Is shockwave as good as a cortisone shot for hip pain?
In a 2023 randomized trial, three weekly shockwave sessions improved outer hip pain and function as much as a cortisone injection at three weeks and three months, without a needle.

How many shockwave sessions does hip bursitis need?
Most patients see significant improvement after 6 sessions of about 20 minutes, spaced about a week apart. Many notice change by sessions 3 to 4.

Should I sleep on the side that hurts?
It’s best to avoid it while the tendon heals. Lie on the other side with a pillow between your knees, or on your back.

How much does shockwave cost in Hinsdale?
At Adisi Health Center, a 6-session protocol is $1,050 and a single session is $200 per treatment area. The first visit is a $249 new patient evaluation that includes an exam and your first treatment. HSA and FSA are accepted.

Do you treat patients from outside Hinsdale?
Yes. Patients come to our office at 534 Chestnut Street, Suite 240 in downtown Hinsdale from Oak Brook, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Downers Grove, Westmont, La Grange, and nearby towns.

Related reading: Shockwave for hip and Achilles tendon pain, IT band syndrome and shockwave, shockwave for chronic low back pain, and does shockwave therapy hurt?

Ready to sleep on your side again?

Start with a free 20-minute phone call with Dr. Petzel to find out if shockwave is right for your hip. Call Adisi Health Center at (630) 887-1900, email DrPetzel@AdisiHealth.com, or book your visit online.

References

  1. Furia JP, Rompe JD, Maffulli N. Low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy as a treatment for greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Am J Sports Med. 2009;37(9):1806-1813. PubMed 19439756
  2. Carlisi E, Cecini M, Di Natali G, Manzoni F, Tinelli C, Lisi C. Focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy for greater trochanteric pain syndrome with gluteal tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2019;33(4):670-680. PubMed 30585498
  3. Çağlar Yağcı H, Yağcı İ, Bağcıer F. Comparison of shock wave therapy and corticosteroid injection in the treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a single-blind, randomized study. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;69(2):180-187. PubMed 37671381
  4. Rau OR, Cheng J, Jivanelli B, Tenforde AS, Wyss JF. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for tendinopathies around the hip and pelvis: a systematic review. HSS J. 2026;22(2):197-207 (published online 2025). PubMed 40292269

This article is for education only and is not medical advice. Results vary. Prices are current as of October 2026.

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