Understanding gluteal tendinitis and pain fluctuations
Gluteal tendinitis occurs when the tendons that attach your glute muscles to your hip become irritated or overused. In the early stages of physical therapy, it’s common to experience some discomfort, especially as your body adapts to new movements and strengthening exercises.
Typically, this discomfort should remain in a tolerable range (around 4–5 on a 0–10 pain scale). Physical therapy often includes progressive resistance training, which helps injured tissues heal and regain strength. However, building tolerance to new exercises takes time, and pain can sometimes temporarily increase before it improves.
How stress and other factors can affect pain
Pain isn’t influenced only by physical activity. Your nervous system is also impacted by:
- Emotional stress – high stress levels can make your body more sensitive to pain signals.
- Poor sleep – reduces your body’s ability to repair and recover.
- Fatigue – physical and mental exhaustion can heighten pain perception.
If you’re going through a stressful period, your tendinitis symptoms may feel more intense even if the injury itself isn’t worsening. Incorporating stress-management strategies such as deep breathing, mindfulness practices, gentle stretching, or a short daily walk can help calm the nervous system and reduce pain sensitivity.
Tracking your pain patterns
If your pain is significantly worse, it’s important to identify when it happens:
- Before, during, or after PT sessions?
- During other daily activities?
- After specific exercises?
Keeping a brief pain log can help you and your physical therapist pinpoint possible triggers. This may reveal whether:
- Your exercises need modification.
- Your technique needs adjustment.
- An unrelated activity is contributing to the pain.
Next Steps
Bring your concerns and your pain log to your next PT appointment. Your physical therapist can adjust your program to keep you progressing while minimizing aggravation. Recovery from gluteal tendinitis is a process, and open communication with your care team is key.
If you’re not currently working with one of our clinicians, you can find a Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy location near you.
Start your physical therapy journey today.
As physical therapists, we know the importance of movement for overall health and well-being. From injury recovery to achieving optimal performance, our passion is to help every patient reach their goals and live an active, pain-free life. Get started with PT today!
