Direct answer: Persistent pain on the outside of the hip — often diagnosed as IT band syndrome or greater trochanteric pain syndrome — used to be explained as simple friction between the iliotibial band and the hip bone. More recent research points instead to compressive load and thickened, adhered tissue in the gluteal tendons and the IT band itself, which is why stretching the IT band alone frequently doesn't resolve it. At Novo Soft Tissue in the Denver Tech Center, an exam determines whether adhesion is present in this region and whether ESWT, manual release, or both fits the case.
By the time someone reaches out about chronic lateral hip pain, they've usually already tried IT band stretching and foam rolling, glute strengthening, rest from running or cycling, and sometimes a cortisone injection into the bursa that helped briefly before the pain returned.
The gluteus medius and minimus tendons, where they insert near the greater trochanter, and the iliotibial band itself are the primary sites. Rather than a single point of tenderness, this typically presents as broad tenderness over the side of the hip that's reproduced by direct pressure and by single-leg standing, with the IT band itself feeling notably dense and non-pliable rather than simply "tight" the way a normal muscle feels tight.
Because this region involves both a tendon insertion and a broad fascial band, focused ESWT is typically used at the gluteal tendon attachment, with radial ESWT and manual adhesion release addressing the IT band and surrounding fascia more broadly.
A 2015 review in Sports Medicine (Grimaldi et al.) reframed greater trochanteric pain syndrome around compressive gluteal tendon and fascial pathology rather than simple bursitis or friction. A 2009 randomized trial in The American Journal of Sports Medicine (Furia, Rompe, and Maffulli; 66 patients) found focused ESWT produced significantly better pain and function outcomes than a home exercise program at both four and twelve months of follow-up.
A new-patient comprehensive exam is $270 and includes a full history, physical examination, and an explanation of the diagnosis; no treatment is performed on the first visit. Follow-up visits are $90 for a single-region treatment. $180 for focused shockwave treatment. Novo Soft Tissue does not bill insurance directly, but accepts cash, check, major credit cards, HSA, and FSA, and provides documentation you can submit for possible reimbursement.
Request an appointment to have chronic hip pain evaluated for adhesion, or read more about how manual adhesion release works and the four tools used across all conditions. Golfers: if hip mobility is limiting your swing, see our TPI golf performance page.
Last reviewed: September 2026