Client Name:
Age:
Gender:
Date Generated:

Hip Impingement (FAI) - 7 Week Rehab Plan

Generated by MMSx Authority Team

Overview: Hip Impingement, or Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), is a condition where the hip bones have an abnormal shape that causes them to rub or "impinge" against each other during movement. [Image of hip impingement] This can lead to groin pain, stiffness, and a feeling of "pinching" with deep hip flexion, especially during activities like squatting or sitting for long periods. The pain can be caused by a CAM deformity (a bump on the ball of the femur), a Pincer deformity (a rim on the socket of the pelvis), or a combination of both. This 7-week plan follows the NEEBAL framework (Neutral → Elasticity → Endurance → Balance → Activation → Load) to systematically address the issue by managing pain, improving joint mobility in safe ranges, building glute and core strength to support the joint, and gradually and safely reintroducing functional movements for long-term relief and prevention.

Pain Profile (10 Parameters)

Technical Name: Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), Cam Impingement, Pincer Impingement, Combined Impingement
Layman's Description: Sharp or dull groin pain, hip stiffness, or clicking with movements like squatting, lunging, or sitting for a long time.
Common Triggers: Deep squatting, sitting for long periods, deep hip flexion (e.g., knee to chest), high-volume athletic movements (e.g., hockey, soccer), and internal rotation.
Synonyms / Alternate Names: Hip pinching, hip pain from squatting, groin pain.
Movement Pattern Involved: Pain with deep hip flexion, internal rotation, or combined movements. Often a lack of hip mobility in all directions.
Region / Body Part: Groin, front of the hip joint, and sometimes radiating to the glute or lower back.
Pain Type: Sharp, pinching, or a dull ache. The pain is often described as a deep, nagging pain that worsens with specific movements.
Severity / Stage Tags: Acute (flare-up), Chronic (persistent pain), Mechanical, Degenerative.
Suggested Drill Focus: Pain-free mobility, glute and core strengthening, movement modification, and postural awareness.
Red Flags: Locking or giving way of the hip, severe sharp pain that does not subside, or a sensation of the hip joint "popping" out of place → **URGENT MEDICAL EVALUATION.**

Warm-Up (5–7 mins)

Diaphragmatic Breathing (2 min): Lie on your back. Focus on deep belly breaths to calm the nervous system and relax the deep hip flexors.
Gentle Cat-Cow (2 min): On hands and knees. Gently arch and round the spine, coordinating with breath. Focus on mobilizing the entire back without forcing a deep arch in the lower back.
Supine Hip Circles (1 min each leg): Lie on your back with one leg straight. Bend the other knee to 90 degrees and gently circle the hip in a small, pain-free range of motion.
Gentle Pelvic Tilts (2 min): Lie on your back, knees bent. Gently rock your pelvis forward and back to gently mobilize the spine.

Weeks 1–2 — Acute Pain Management & Foundational Awareness (Daily)

Goal: Reduce acute pain and educate the body on its pain-free range of motion. The focus is on finding a neutral spine and learning to stabilize it without external load.

#	Exercise	Instructions	Key Cues
1	Rest & Positional Relief	Avoid all activities that cause a sharp or pinching pain. Avoid deep squatting, deep lunges, and prolonged sitting. Use heat/ice as needed for pain relief. Daily.	Listen to your body. Prioritize pain relief. No deep flexion or internal rotation.
2	Supine Hip Abduction/Adduction	Lie on your back with knees bent. Gently let your knees fall out to the side in a small, pain-free range. Then, bring them back together. 10-15 reps × 2-3 sets.	Keep your feet on the ground and move slowly. The goal is gentle, pain-free motion.
3	Glute Bridges (Short Range)	Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat. Gently squeeze your glutes to lift your hips just a few inches off the floor. 15-20 reps × 2-3 sets.	Keep the movement small and controlled. Focus on feeling the glutes, not the hamstrings or lower back.
4	Modified Dead Bug	Lie on your back, knees bent to 90 degrees. Slowly lower one heel to the floor, then return. Keep your lower back pressed into the floor throughout. 10-15 reps each side × 2-3 sets.	Go slow and controlled. Your back should not arch. This trains your core to resist extension.

Cooldown (5–7 mins)

Diaphragmatic Breathing (2 mins): Find a comfortable chair or lie on your back. Focus on slow, deep belly breaths to promote relaxation.
Supine Hip Circles (1 min each side): Gently circle the hip in a small, pain-free range of motion.
Gentle Foam Roll (Quadriceps) (2 mins): Gently roll the quads with a foam roller. Tight quads can pull on the pelvis and increase hip impingement symptoms.
Self-Assessment (1 min): Briefly assess current discomfort and overall feeling of relaxation. Note any changes.

Written/Suggested by MMSx certified Professionals (MMSx Authority) — NEEBAL framework applied.

Disclaimer: This rehabilitation program is educational and follows evidence-based principles. **Individuals with persistent hip pain should first be thoroughly assessed and cleared by a medical professional (e.g., physician, physical therapist) to rule out serious underlying conditions, such as labral tears or avascular necrosis, before initiating any exercise program.** Stop any exercise that causes increased pain, pinching, or other concerning symptoms. This is not medical advice. MMSx Authority, TrainersEye, and affiliates disclaim liability for injuries or adverse outcomes.