Case Spotlight: England U16 Hockey Player

In this post, we’re sharing the story of a young athlete whose hip and back pain nearly derailed her England U16 hockey season… and how a collaborative approach helped her get back on the pitch, pain-free.

It’s a great example of how pain can be complex, especially when symptoms don’t follow a clear pattern. It also highlights why looking beyond the obvious site of discomfort – and working closely with existing care providers – can make all the difference.

When she first came to see us, this 15-year-old had been dealing with persistent pain in her left thigh that had started during a training camp, shortly after she’s been selected for the England squad. It wasn’t a sudden injury: there was no fall, no twist, no dramatic moment. The pain had simply built up during exercise and then stuck around, flaring each time she tried to push herself. She could warm up without issues and play with intensity for a while, but halfway through a session, she’d be forced to stop. She was frustrated. Her parents were worried. This wasn’t just a sore muscle—this was threatening her progress, her confidence, and her ability to train with the team she’d worked so hard to join.

They’d done everything right—consulted physios, undergone scans, and followed rehab advice. An MRI revealed some swelling in her hip, which partly explained the thigh symptoms. One of the physios (who we still work with regularly and greatly respect) had been focusing on all the right things – mobilising the hip and rehabilitating the affected muscles. But whilst this had helped to a degree, the pain kept returning. Both the physio and family agreed more needed to be explored, which is when she was referred to us.

On examination, we confirmed what others had seen: there was irritation and tightness around the hip joint and deep hip flexors. But what stood out was how restricted her pelvis and lower spine were. It’s not always clear what comes first in these situations: it could have been the hip problem triggering back stiffness, or the other way around. But since she was already receiving good care around the hip, we focused initially on addressing the spinal issue.

We began with gentle, focused treatment to restore motion through the base of her spine and pelvis. Remarkably, after just one adjustment in the first session, her back stiffness had eased significantly, and her spinal extension improved by 50%. By her fourth visit, she was back to playing 3–4 matches a weekend, with barely any symptoms.

One important detail in the long term management was spotting something not yet causing pain but likely contributing to the issue: dropped arches in both feet. Given how much load she was placing through her body during matches and training, this kind of foot dysfunction can quietly influence the hips and spine over time. We referred her to our biomechanics specialist for a full orthotics assessment, and she was fitted with custom devices designed to support long-term alignment and reduce future strain.

Within six weeks, she was back to full training and competition – feeling stronger, clearer, and more confident in her body. What made the difference wasn’t just the adjustment itself, but the joined-up thinking. She and her parents said one of the most reassuring parts of her care was knowing we were liaising directly with her physio, who they trusted. We were all making the same recommendations, and we made sure her rehab plan stayed consistent and clear. For a young athlete under pressure, that kind of communication and clarity matters.

At our clinic, we often see young people (and adults too) who’ve already tried hard to fix the problem but still feel something’s missing. Sometimes, it’s not about doing something radically different. It’s about connecting the dots, coordinating care, and looking just a little wider than the obvious.

If you or your child is dealing with pain that doesn’t quite make sense, we’re always happy to offer a second opinion. You don’t need to stop seeing your current provider – just come in for a 15-minute complimentary consultation and we’ll help you decide what’s next.