Orthopedic · South Florida
Physical therapy for hip pain in South Florida
Hip pain is usually blamed on the joint, but the most common causes are tendons and muscles on the outside of the hip, and those respond to a targeted strengthening program.
- Aetna and Medicare in-network; private pay with superbills for other plans
- No referral needed to start (30-day direct access)
- Video visits anywhere in South Florida
About the condition
Hip pain: what is going on.
Pain on the outside of the hip, worse lying on that side at night and climbing stairs, is usually gluteal tendinopathy, often mislabeled bursitis. Pain in the groin with sitting, squatting, or pivoting points to the joint itself: impingement, a labral irritation, or early osteoarthritis. Pain in the buttock is often the deep rotators or a referral from the back. Each has a different program, and the evaluation sorts out which is which.
Exercise is the first-line treatment for all of them. For hip osteoarthritis, a structured strengthening program is recommended before injections or surgery and improves pain and function for most people.
Common experiences
What people with hip pain often describe
These are the patterns Dr. Shalem hears most often. Any of them is a reason to book a discovery call.
Pain on the outside of the hip, worse lying on that side
Groin pain with sitting, squatting, or getting out of a car
Stiffness and difficulty putting on socks
Clicking or catching in the hip
Pain with walking distance or stairs
A diagnosis of bursitis, tendinopathy, impingement, or arthritis
Treatment
How physical therapy addresses it.
The program builds strength in the gluteal muscles and deep hip rotators, restores mobility where it is limited, teaches positions and habits that unload irritated tendons, and progresses to walking, stairs, and sport. For arthritis, it follows the structured exercise protocols that trials have shown to reduce pain and delay surgery.
What a video visit looks like
Dr. Shalem watches single-leg balance, squatting, and gait on camera, uses guided tests to identify the source, and progresses loading with form checks. A resistance band is the main equipment.
Coverage in Florida
Insurance and pricing
Bring your plan name to the discovery call and we confirm your physical therapy benefit before the first visit.
Aetna
In-network (Aetna designated provider). Most Aetna plans cover physical therapy with a copay or coinsurance; we confirm yours before the first visit.
Medicare
In-network with traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans vary; ask on the discovery call.
Private pay
Available for any other plan. We provide a superbill you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement. HSA and FSA cards accepted.
Referrals
Florida allows you to start physical therapy without a referral. If care continues past 30 days for a condition no physician has seen you for, we help you get a quick practitioner review so treatment can continue.
In-home visits are available throughout Miami-Dade County with no travel fee. Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe, and everywhere else in South Florida are seen by video.
How it works
How a virtual visit works
Dr. Shalem watches single-leg balance, squatting, and gait on camera, uses guided tests to identify the source, and progresses loading with form checks. A resistance band is the main equipment.
Discovery call
15 minutes, free, by phoneA short call to hear what is going on, explain how visits work, and check insurance or pricing. No pressure to book.
Evaluation
60 minutes, by videoDr. Shalem takes a full history, watches how you move and breathe, and guides the self-assessments she needs to build a plan.
Your plan
Same visitYou leave the evaluation with a plain-language explanation and a short home program, usually a few minutes a day.
Follow-ups
45 minutes, every 1 to 2 weeksProgress checks, program updates, and techniques you can do yourself, for as long as they are useful.
For a video visit you will need
- A phone, tablet, or laptop with a camera
- A private room
- A mat or towel
- About an hour
Questions
Hip pain questions in South Florida
Is it bursitis?
Most pain on the outside of the hip is gluteal tendinopathy rather than bursitis, and the treatment is strengthening, not rest or injections alone.
I have hip arthritis. Will exercise make it worse?
No. Structured exercise reduces pain and improves function in hip osteoarthritis and is recommended as first-line treatment in every guideline.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI?
Usually not to start. Imaging is considered if symptoms do not respond or if the evaluation suggests something that would change the plan.
Do I need a referral for physical therapy in Florida?
Florida allows you to start physical therapy without a referral. If care continues past 30 days for a condition no physician has seen you for, we help you get a quick practitioner review so treatment can continue.
What insurance do you take in Florida?
Aetna: In-network (Aetna designated provider). Most Aetna plans cover physical therapy with a copay or coinsurance; we confirm yours before the first visit. Medicare: In-network with traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans vary; ask on the discovery call. Private pay: Available for any other plan. We provide a superbill you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement. HSA and FSA cards accepted.
Your physical therapist
Dr. Elana Shalem, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami. Licensed in Florida.
Dr. Shalem treats pelvic health for women and men, from pregnancy and postpartum recovery to bladder, bowel, and pelvic pain conditions and recovery after prostate or pelvic surgery, and general orthopedic conditions of the back, neck, hips, knees, shoulders, and feet. Visits are one-on-one and unhurried, and she explains what she is seeing in plain language.
More about Dr. ShalemPrefer to write? Send a message.
Questions about insurance, pricing, or whether physical therapy is the right next step? We reply within one business day.
Start with a free 15-minute call.
Tell us what is going on, hear how Dr. Shalem would approach it, and decide from there.