Physical therapy condition guide

Hip Pain Physical Therapy in Mt. Pleasant, MI

About Hip Pain Physical Therapy

Hip pain may show up in the front of the hip, groin, outside of the hip, buttock, thigh, or low back. It can affect walking, stairs, squatting, sitting, getting in and out of a car, sleeping on one side, running, or standing at work. Common contributors include arthritis, tendon irritation, bursitis-like symptoms, weakness, mobility restrictions, back referral, and changes in walking mechanics.

Physical therapy for hip pain includes a movement-based evaluation of hip and spine mobility, strength, balance, gait, stairs, and functional tasks. Treatment may include hip mobility, strengthening of the glutes and surrounding muscles, balance work, gait retraining, activity modification, aquatic therapy when weight-bearing is painful, and education for daily positions and exercise choices.

Mountain Town Rehab offers personal care that connects hip symptoms to real goals, such as walking farther, gardening, golfing, climbing stairs, returning to exercise, or preparing for or recovering after surgery. Our orthopedic, aquatic, and post-surgical experience can support a wide range of hip conditions.

Safety note

Sudden severe hip pain after a fall, inability to bear weight, fever, or significant unexplained swelling should be medically evaluated.

Hip Pain FAQs

Can hip pain come from my back?

Yes. The low back, pelvis, and hip can refer symptoms into similar areas. Your therapist will assess how these regions interact.

Is walking good for hip pain?

Often it can be, but distance, speed, terrain, and symptoms matter. Your therapist can help you find a tolerable starting point.

Can PT help hip arthritis?

PT cannot remove arthritis, but it can often improve strength, mobility, balance, and activity tolerance.

When is aquatic therapy useful?

Water can reduce joint loading and make movement more comfortable when land-based exercise is too painful.

Related staff experience

Mark Stansberry, Owner / PT, DPT, FAAOMPT Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with fellowship training, extensive manual therapy coursework, dry needling certification, blood flow restriction teaching experience, and experience treating athletes across youth, collegiate, professional, and Olympic levels. Alex Stansberry, DPT Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with outpatient orthopedic and neurologic experience, sports injury interests, dry needling certification, Blood Flow Restriction Training certification, and Graston technique training. Stephanie Pifer, DPT Physical therapist with orthopedic outpatient experience, return-to-sport interests, Blood Flow Restriction Training and Dry Needling skills, and Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist certification in progress for Summer 2026. Kristi Pifer, MA, MSPT Physical therapist with lymphedema certification, pediatric and aquatic therapy specialization, experience treating orthopedic and neurologic conditions, and LSVT BIG certification for Parkinson's treatment. Lisa Smith, PTA Physical therapist assistant with aquatic therapy, neurologic, orthopedic, and pediatric population interests, LSVT BIG certification, and Blood Flow Restriction Training certification.