Expert Hip Pain Physical Therapy in Raleigh, NC
Get back to running, training, and living pain-free with personalized 1-on-1 treatment from physios who’ve worked with pro athletes from the NHL, NBA, ATP, and US Olympic Track and Field.
Is Hip Pain Keeping You From the Activities You Love?
You’re not alone. Many active adults in Raleigh struggle with hip issues that limit their lifestyle.
Frustrated by Traditional Physical Therapy
You’ve spent weeks getting passed to aides for cookie-cutter exercises that don’t address the root cause of your hip pain.
Missing Workouts and Activities
Your hip pain is forcing you to skip runs, cut tennis matches short, or give up the training routine that keeps you feeling strong.
Worried About Long-Term Damage
You’re concerned that ignoring your hip dysfunction now will lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, or surgery down the road.
Why Raleigh Athletes Choose Smart Athlete for Hip Pain
At Smart Athlete Physiotherapy, we don’t just treat your symptoms—we find and fix the source of your hip dysfunction so you can return to peak performance without compensation or pain.
- Work with the same highly trained physio for your entire treatment session and complete length of care—not passed to an aide after 5 minutes
- Your plan of care is determined by what you need to reach your goals, not limited by insurance reimbursement restrictions
- Access cutting-edge recovery technology like dry needling, Class IV laser therapy, and postural restoration normally reserved for professional athletes
What Our Patients Say
Your Path to Pain-Free Movement: Our Proven 3-Step Process
Comprehensive Assessment
We gather detailed history and perform thorough musculoskeletal and functional movement testing to identify the true source of your hip pain—not just where it hurts.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your assessment, we create a customized plan using advanced techniques like dry needling, gait analysis, postural restoration, and manual therapy to address your specific dysfunction.
Return to Performance
We guide you back to full activity with sport-specific training, movement retraining, and preventative strategies so you can perform at your best without fear of re-injury.
Hip Pain Conditions We Treat in Raleigh, NC
Our team specializes in treating hip dysfunction in active adults, athletes, and weekend warriors.
- Hip flexor strains and tendinopathies from running, cycling, and sports
- IT band syndrome and lateral hip pain affecting runners and triathletes
- Hip impingement (FAI) and labral issues limiting range of motion
- Postpartum hip and pelvic dysfunction in active mothers returning to fitness
What Raleigh Athletes Say About Their Recovery
5-Star Rated with 111+ Reviews on Google
"I absolutely love Smart Athlete Physiotherapy; the employees are very kind and knowledgeable about physical therapy. I went in for an IT Band issue, and the needling that Jeff was able to provide helped me heal completely from the injury."
"What an incredible place! After working with many physical therapists that were unable to help me find lasting healing and solutions, I stumbled on Mike. The outcomes have been exceptional! I'm unlocking flexibility and getting rid of old ailments in ways I never thought possible."
"I've had a wonderful experience with CarolAnn. She takes the time to assess and address all issues with the proper treatment. I highly recommend her for any aches and pains that need assistance!"
Meet Your Hip Pain Specialists: Raleigh's Most Experienced Sports Physios
Jeff Vajay, PT | Founder & Physiotherapist
BS Physical Therapy, Quinnipiac University Hall of Fame athlete. Nearly 20 years treating athletes from the NHL, NFL, NBA, ATP, WTA, MLB and US Olympic Track and Field. Specializes in sports injury rehab, dry needling, and post-operative care.
Michael Vita, DPT | Co-Founder & Physiotherapist
DPT from Rocky Mountain University with 19+ years in orthopaedics and electrophysiology. Postural Restoration Institute certified. Expert in chronic pain, postural dysfunction, and breathing techniques for athletic performance.
Jon Paryz, PT | Co-Owner & Physiotherapist
Physical Therapy degree from Daemen College, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. ATP Tour physiotherapist specializing in sports medicine, running biomechanics, and manual therapy for tennis athletes.
Emily Lusnia, DPT | Physiotherapist
Doctorate from University of Saint Augustine with heavy concentration in manual therapy. BS Kinesiology from Campbell University. Specializes in athletes, prenatal/postpartum clients, and pelvic health with functional dry needling certification.
CarolAnn Wiggs, DPT | Physiotherapist
DPT from Emory University, BS Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest. 10+ years in outpatient orthopedics. Raleigh native specializing in lower extremity conditions, TMJ disorders, postural dysfunctions, and master dry needling certification.
Our Team Approach
Unlike traditional PT clinics, you’ll work with the same expert physiotherapist for your entire session and complete treatment plan. No aides, no rotating therapists—just consistent, personalized care from start to finish.
Visit Our Raleigh Hip Pain Clinic
Conveniently located in North Raleigh, just minutes from downtown.
Email Contact via phone for scheduling
Phone (919) 424-6055
Office 2415 Atlantic Ave Raleigh, NC 27604 (Inside The Performance Hub)
Just 7 minutes from Downtown Raleigh, NC via Wake Forest Rd and Atlantic Ave. We’re conveniently located near Raleigh Boulevard Shopping Center (1.2 miles north) and Starmount Shopping Center (1.5 miles northwest). Take N Person St north, continue onto Wake Forest Rd, then Atlantic Ave—you’ll find us on the left.
Hip Pain Physical Therapy FAQs
Common questions about treating hip pain at Smart Athlete
How is Smart Athlete different from traditional physical therapy?
We don’t follow the traditional PT model where you get a few minutes with a therapist then get passed to an aide. You work 1-on-1 with the same highly trained physiotherapist for your entire session and complete treatment plan. Your care is determined by what you need to reach your goals—not limited by insurance reimbursement or visit caps.
How long does it take to recover from hip pain?
Recovery time depends on the source of your hip dysfunction, how long you’ve had symptoms, and your activity goals. During your comprehensive evaluation, we’ll assess your specific condition and give you a realistic timeline. Many active adults see significant improvement within 4-6 weeks with our targeted treatment approach combining manual therapy, dry needling, postural restoration, and movement retraining.
Do you accept insurance for hip pain physical therapy?
Smart Athlete operates as a cash-based practice, which allows us to spend more time with you and create treatment plans based on your needs rather than insurance limitations. This model ensures you receive optimal care without the restrictions of traditional PT clinics. We can provide documentation for potential reimbursement from your insurance provider.
What should I expect during my first hip pain evaluation?
Your initial evaluation includes a detailed history discussion to understand your hip pain, activity level, and goals. We’ll perform a thorough musculoskeletal examination and functional movement assessment to identify the true source of your dysfunction—not just where it hurts. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what’s causing your hip pain and a customized action plan for recovery.
Can you help me avoid hip surgery?
Many hip conditions respond well to conservative physical therapy treatment, especially when addressed early. Our advanced techniques including dry needling, postural restoration, gait analysis, and sport-specific training have helped countless Raleigh athletes avoid surgery and return to full activity. During your evaluation, we’ll assess whether PT is appropriate for your specific hip condition.
Will I be able to continue training while recovering from hip pain?
In most cases, yes—with modifications. We believe in keeping active adults moving whenever possible. We’ll work with you to modify your training, identify compensations that may be contributing to your hip pain, and progressively return you to full activity. Our goal is to keep you doing what you love while we address the source of your dysfunction.