Hip Labral Tear Recovery Without Surgery: When It Works

hip labral tear

You don’t want surgery if you can help it—and honestly, many people don’t need it. If your hip hurts, feels unstable, or clicks when you move, a labral tear could be the reason, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

You might be surprised how effective physical therapy is at helping you heal. With the right hands-on care and movement strategies, you can feel strong and pain-free again.

Recovery without surgery works because it focuses on:

  • Restoring joint stability and muscle control
  • Reducing pain through targeted manual therapy
  • Improving hip movement without irritating the tear
  • Building strength to protect the area long term

You don’t have to live with pain or jump into the operating room. Let’s look at how this recovery works—and why it’s worth considering before you choose surgery.

hip labral tear

Hip Labral Tear Recovery Without Surgery: When It Can Work For You

If you’re feeling sharp hip pain after squats at the gym in Goodyear or stiffness after a long hike through Estrella Mountain Park, your hip labrum might be signaling a problem.

When a torn labrum affects how your hip joint functions, daily activities and athletic performance can take a serious hit.

Surgery isn’t always your only route. In fact, many active adults in this area recover fully without ever going near an operating room.

Physical therapy can be a powerful way to reduce pain, support healing, and get you back into your sport or activity.

Understanding When a Hip Labral Tear Can Heal Without Surgery

If your labral tear is mild and your hip joint is still stable, you’ve got options.

Conservative treatments help restore movement, strengthen surrounding muscles, and minimize irritation to the affected area.

Look for these signs your torn labrum may not require surgery:

  • Your hip labral tear symptoms are intermittent or tied to certain movements
  • Imaging shows a minor tear, not a complete one
  • You can walk and bear weight without severe pain
  • You experience more discomfort during repetitive movements than at rest

When you catch the issue early and commit to the right kind of therapy, your body’s natural healing processes often take the lead.

If you’re tired of dealing with hip pain and want a real solution, we’re here to help you start healing. Let’s find out what’s going on with your hip and get a plan that fits your life.

Call 623-343-8706 today to schedule your appointment at Continuous Motion Physical Therapy in Goodyear, AZ. Let’s get you moving again.

Why Physical Therapy Works So Well for Hip Labral Tear Symptoms and Healing

Physical therapy focuses on helping your hip labrum heal by improving how your hip socket and femoral head move together. It also targets the surrounding muscles that stabilize and protect your hip joint.

At our clinic in Goodyear, treatments focus on:

  • Reducing inflammation and restoring joint mobility
  • Improving soft tissue flexibility in the hip and groin area
  • Teaching movement strategies that avoid further damage
  • Strengthening the glutes, core, and deep hip muscles

We’ve helped runners prepping for the Phoenix Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon and gym-goers training at CrossFit Fury find pain relief and regain full function without invasive surgery.

How We Tailor Recovery to the Athlete in You

As sports physical therapists, we look at more than your symptoms. We examine how your hips move through your sport—whether that’s hiking, Olympic lifting, or tennis at Goodyear Community Park.

We design a plan that matches your goals and includes:

  • Manual therapy to reduce pain and realign the joint
  • Strength training to reinforce the affected area
  • Return-to-sport drills that build confidence
  • Activity modification that allows healing without sidelining you completely

Even with a torn labrum, you can stay active while supporting recovery. You’ll avoid making things worse and reduce the chance of future injuries.

When Nonsurgical Isn’t Enough: Hip Labral Tear Treatments

There are cases where the damage is too advanced. Severe pain or a completely detached labrum may require surgical options like arthroscopic surgery or labral repair.

That’s why we monitor your progress during physical therapy to ensure you’re healing effectively. If things stall or get worse, we help you connect with a trusted healthcare provider to discuss:

  • Imaging to confirm the extent of damage
  • Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery if needed

The key is acting early. Don’t wait until limited range of motion and pain become your new normal.

What Hip Labral Tear Recovery Looks Like With Us

At Continuous Motion Physical Therapy, we guide you through every phase of the healing process. You’ll learn how to listen to your body, promote healing, and move again with confidence.

Most importantly, you’ll:

  • Alleviate pain without medications
  • Avoid the risks of invasive surgery
  • Return to the activities you love, stronger than before

Your injured hip doesn’t have to stop you. Physical therapy might be the solution you didn’t know was available—until now.

hip labral tear

Continuous Motion Physical Therapy Helps Active Adults Get Back to Normal Activities

At Continuous Motion PT, we help you move better, feel stronger, and return to the lifestyle you love without relying on surgery or medication. Whether you’re chasing your kids at Goodyear Ballpark or training for a local CrossFit competition, your goals shape the way we build your recovery plan.

We Treat More Than Just the Injury

Your hip pain isn’t just about a torn labrum or inflamed tissue. It affects how you move, sleep, and even how confident you feel on your feet.

That’s why our approach focuses on:

  • Addressing the root cause of pain, not just the symptoms
  • Restoring balance and strength to the entire hip and core
  • Teaching you how to move in ways that support healing

We use hands-on techniques, targeted exercises, and movement analysis to improve how your hip joint works in real life.

We Specialize in Athletes and Active Adults

Your body works hard, whether you’re in the gym, on the trail, or simply staying active with your family. That’s why we design treatment plans that meet you where you are.

As sports physical therapists, we:

  • Help you avoid further damage by correcting faulty movement patterns
  • Rebuild strength in your hip muscles to prevent future injuries
  • Guide you through sport-specific drills so you can return safely

We’ve helped local athletes get back to playing soccer at Friendship Park, running along the Paseo Trail, and lifting heavy without pain.

We Keep Your Recovery Personalized and Goal-Driven

Your rehab journey won’t look like anyone else’s. From your first visit, we tailor everything to how your body moves, what your sport demands, and what motivates you most.

Expect:

  • One-on-one care from a physical therapist every session
  • Clear progress checkpoints and adjustments along the way
  • Education that helps you understand what your body needs

You’ll always know what’s working and where we’re headed next.

Book Your Free Total Body Diagnostic Session

If you’re tired of dealing with hip pain and want a real solution, we’re here to help you start healing. Let’s find out what’s going on with your hip and get a plan that fits your life.

Call 623-343-8706 today to schedule your appointment at Continuous Motion Physical Therapy in Goodyear, AZ. Let’s get you moving again.

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A man in a suit and tie smiling.
Author

Dr. Cameron Moore

PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, CSCS, Dip. Osteopractic

Helping active people STAY active

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Dr. Kelsey Houston
PT, DPT, CERT. CN

Dr. Kelsey Houston is a dedicated and skilled physical therapist with a passion for promoting health and wellness. Originally from Damascus, OR, she pursued her graduate education in Arizona, earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Franklin Pierce University. Throughout her academic career, she honed a strong foundation in evidence-based clinical practice, patient-centered care, and rehabilitation techniques.

Dr. Houston also brings a background in athletics, particularly competitive soccer, which has fueled her dedication to sports rehabilitation and orthopedics. She earned a degree in Clinical Health Sciences from Portland State University, further deepening her knowledge of the human body and its movement mechanics. Her clinical experience spans a wide variety of settings, including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers, where she has worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds.

With a particular focus on orthopedics and sports rehabilitation, Dr. Houston is committed to helping patients recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and return to active lifestyles. She takes a patient-centered approach, using her expertise to help individuals improve their quality of life.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Houston values maintaining an active lifestyle and enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Kelseys Credentials 

  • Physical Therapist (PT)
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
  • Certified Dry Needling (Cert. DN)

Dr. Taylor Calixto, PT, DPT Cert. DN, PCES

Originally from Seattle, Dr. Taylor Calixto has always had a passion for sports, health, and movement. A lifelong soccer player, she was drawn to physical therapy after recovering from a shoulder injury. She earned her undergraduate degree from Boise State and completed her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Western University of Health Sciences, where she developed a strong foundation in evidence-based, patient-centered care.
While in school, Taylor discovered a passion for pelvic health, inspired by two mentors who helped shape her path. She earned her dry needling certification in 2023 and completed advanced pelvic floor training in 2024. Dr. Taylor is committed to empowering patients through personalized, compassionate care—whether they’re returning to sport, navigating pregnancy and postpartum, or addressing pelvic health concerns.

Ashley Hardman - Performance Coach

 

Ashley Hardman brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as a Performance Coach. She graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Wellness and a minor in Psychology, while also competing as a Division I softball player for four years.

During her fifth year at BYU, Ashley interned with the Olympic Strength Coaches, where she oversaw training programs for all campus athletic teams and ran the Gymnastics strength program. She went on to intern at EXOS in Carlsbad, CA, where she assisted in training club swim athletes, military personnel, retired NFL players, and NFL prospects.

Ashley’s diverse background also includes working as a physical therapy aide, a chiropractor scribe, and a personal trainer at a private gym. After relocating to Arizona, she returned to her alma mater, Estrella Foothills High School, as the Strength and Conditioning Coach, where she taught Weight Training and Athletic Performance classes, and led after-school strength programs for all campus sports.

Now at CMPT, Ashley is committed to helping clients achieve their goals by pushing them to become the best version of themselves. She believes in making 1% progress every day—for herself and for those she trains. Her personal approach to coaching builds strong relationships with clients and athletes, creating a motivating and supportive environment for lasting success.

 

Dr. Cameron Moore, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, CSCS, Dip. Osteopractic

skilled thrapist

Dr. Cameron Moore, physical therapist and co-owner, has always been very active with sports and activities starting with competitive motocross racing up to a semi-professional level and being a scholarship athlete in track and field competing at the division 1 level in college at Eastern Washington University in the triple jump. Cameron became interested in the profession of physical therapy after having knee surgery in high school and seeing the inter-workings of the profession. He pursued his bachelors degree in Exercise Science before moving to Phoenix to earn his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from Franklin Pierce University.

He then began specialization courses for spinal manipulation (Spinal Manipulation Institute) and dry needling (Dry Needling Institute). This lead Cameron in to becoming a Fellow of the American Academy of Manual Physical Therapist (FAAOMPT) through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy (AAMT) and earned a Diploma of Osteopractic®, a distinction and training that only a small percentage of physical therapist have completed.

Dr. Moore continues to be very involved with motocross riding, Crossfit®, Olympic weight lifting, running and an overall active lifestyle with his Wife (Michelle) and their Vizsla (Parker).

Dr. Cameron Moore’s Credentials

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
  • Certified in Dry Needling (Cert DN)
  • Certified in Spinal Manipulation (Cert SMT)
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
  • Diploma in Osteopractic® (Dip Osteopractic)
  • Fellow Of The American Academy Of Manual Physical Therapist (FAAOMPT)
  • American Academy of Manipulative Therapy Fellow (AAMT)
  • Crossfit® Level 1 Certified (CF-L1)
  • Crossfit® Mobility Certified
  • USA Track and Field Level 1 Coach

Dr. Michelle Moore, PT, DPT FAAOMPT, Dip. Osteopractic

weightlifting in physical therapy

Dr. Michelle Moore, physical therapist and co-owner, grew up as a competitive gymnast and developed a passion for healthy living from a young age. Her collegiate studies in Health Education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and athletic background influenced her to combine her passions and pursue a career in physical therapy. She earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University in 2013.

Dr. Moore continued her educational pathway through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy where she earned her Diploma Osteopractic® (Dip. Osteopractic) and became Certified in Dry Needling (Cert. DN), and Spinal Manipulative Therapy (Cert. SMT). From 2016-2017 Dr. Moore completed the rigorous coursework to become a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (FAAOMPT), a distinction held by only a fraction of the profession.

Dr. Moore’s special interests include treating active individuals and returning them to the activities that they love. In her spare time she enjoys Crossfit®, Olympic Weightlifting, mountain biking, hiking, and traveling with her husband, Cameron, and dog, Parker.

Dr. Michelle Moore’s Credentials:

  • ​Physical Therapist (PT)
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
  • Fellow of American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)
  • Diploma in Osteopractic® (Dip. Osteopractic)
  • Certified Dry Needling (Cert. DN)
  • Certified Spinal Manipulative Therapy (Cert. SMT)
  • Crossfit® Mobility Certified