Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is characterized as lateral hip pain with discomfort focalized around the greater trochanter. Previously believed to be due to bursitis or IT band friction, our understanding of GTPS has continued to evolve and ongoing research now shows GTPS to encompass many conditions including: bursitis, tendinosis, tendinopathy, and nervous involvement. In accordance with the lack of agreement on its true causation there exists no consensus on the most practical conservative treatment protocol. In the present study, the authors attempted to consolidate our current understanding on the conservative treatment of GTPS. Overall it was shown that steroid injections, shockwave therapy and exercise had promising results at different reporting periods, while there was a lack of available research to support the use of orthotics.