Orthopedic · Southern Maryland
Physical therapy for hip pain in Southern Maryland
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.
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna and Medicare in-network; private pay for other plans
- No referral needed (unrestricted direct access)
- Video visits anywhere in Southern Maryland
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 Maryland
Insurance and pricing
Bring your plan name to the discovery call and we confirm your physical therapy benefit before the first visit.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In-network with CareFirst, Maryland's Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. We confirm your physical therapy benefit before the first visit.
Aetna
In-network with Aetna in Maryland. Most Aetna plans cover physical therapy with a copay or coinsurance; we confirm yours before the first visit.
Medicare
Enrolled with traditional Medicare (Part B). Medicare Advantage plans vary and are checked before the first visit.
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
Maryland allows you to see a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment without a physician referral, with no visit limit. Some insurance plans still ask for one, and we check that for you.
Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert counties are seen by video, including military families at NAS Patuxent River.
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 Southern Maryland
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 Maryland?
Maryland allows you to see a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment without a physician referral, with no visit limit. Some insurance plans still ask for one, and we check that for you.
What insurance do you take in Maryland?
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: In-network with CareFirst, Maryland's Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. We confirm your physical therapy benefit before the first visit. Aetna: In-network with Aetna in Maryland. Most Aetna plans cover physical therapy with a copay or coinsurance; we confirm yours before the first visit. Medicare: Enrolled with traditional Medicare (Part B). Medicare Advantage plans vary and are checked before the first visit. 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 Maryland.
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.