Still Dealing With the Same Back, Hip or Leg Pain?
If you’ve tried physical therapy, chiropractic care, injections, or other treatments and still don’t have answers, it may be time for a different approach. Get a second opinion from Dr. Josh Stewart, PT, OCS—an Ankeny physical therapist specializing in complex lower-back, hip, and SI joint problems.
Back & Hip Pain Evaluation
✓ No physician referral required | ✓ One-on-one care
✓ Wellmark BCBS of Iowa in-network | ✓ Cash-pay and out of network options available
You’ve Been Told It’s…
Sciatica?
Hip bursitis?
IT band syndrome?
Piriformis syndrome?
Lumbar stenosis?
A “tight” hip?
But You’re Still Hurting
Sometimes the Diagnosis Isn’t the Whole Story
Lower-back, hip, buttock, and leg pain can come from several overlapping sources. Symptoms don’t always point to one clear diagnosis, which is why a thorough evaluation matters.
Our job isn’t to force your symptoms into a diagnosis. It’s to understand how you move, where your symptoms are coming from, what may be contributing to them, and how those factors fit together.
One Frequently Overlooked Source: The SI Joint
The SI joint is one possible contributor to lower-back, buttock, hip, and leg symptoms. Because Dr. Stewart has developed a particular specialty in SI joint dysfunction, this is one area we’ll consider during your evaluation—but we won’t assume it’s the problem before evaluating you.
Dr. Josh Stewart
PT, DPT, OCS
> Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
> Owner, Stewart Sport & Spine Physical Therapy
> Special focus on complex lower-back, hip & SI joint problems
Back in my mid 20’s, I developed left sided lower back and leg pain that stretched down into my calf that NO ONE could help me with. I kept thinking to myself, “Am I going to have to live with this back pain for the rest of my life? How can I have this much pain in my back and left leg in my 20’s?!” After trying multiple healthcare providers, I finally was able to find a provider who specialized in treating chronic lower back/SI joint pain who opened my eyes to an underserved population of complex lower back patients who are repeatedly overlooked and written off. The first day back in the clinic after treatment for my own SI joint issues, I tested ALL of my lower back pain patients and found 70% (!!!) of them had this SI joint issue. This is where my passion for helping SI joint patients began.
Why Patients Come to Stewart Sport & Spine Physical Therapy
A Fresh Set of Eyes from an Expert
Many of our patients have already tried multiple providers and treatments and have their pain for at least 5-10 years before coming to us.
Detailed Evaluation
We don’t just look at where you hurt. We evaluate how your back, pelvis, hips and surrounding areas are functioning together.
Education, Not Guesswork
You’ll understand what we find, what we believe is the root cause of your pain and what your realistic options are.
Honest Recommendations
If we believe we can help, we’ll explain the plan. If we don’t believe we’re the right solution, we’ll tell you and help point you in the appropriate direction.
What happens at my evaluation?
Your Back & Hip Pain Evaluation Includes:
01 — Time to Tell Your Story
Your chance to be heard. We’ll discuss what’s been happening, what you’ve already tried and what hasn’t worked.
02 — Detailed Orthopedic Evaluation
Dr. Josh will evaluate your lower back, pelvis, hips, and relevant areas to better understand what’s truly causing your pain.
03 — Get Honest Answers
We’ll explain what we find in plain English along with an explanation about who can help you the most based on what we find is causing your pain.
04 — Know Your Next Step
If you’re a good fit for treatment, we’ll explain your options. If you’re not, we’ll tell you and help point you in the appropriate direction to maximize your success.
Patient Success Stories
“After my very first visit I found so much relief. Not only was he able to discover the root cause of the issue, I felt seen and heard.”
SAM B.
“At my evaluation Dr. Stewart completed his exam and then used visual aids to show me exactly where my SI joint is located and even with my long standing back and hips issues, he was confident he could help me. “
RICK D.
“I had major reconstructive surgery on my hip, that lead to back pain and lack of mobility. Josh, was the first after many providers to get to the root cause.”
DAN T.
Unresolved Lower Back & Hip Pain Evaluation
Don’t let another day go by suffering without addressing the true cause of your pain. Click the link below to schedule an evaluation and take the first step towards a pain-free life!
Wellmark BCBS:
In-network benefits apply.
Other insurance/cash-pay:
Contact us to discuss available evaluation options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
No. Iowa is a direct access state, which means you can see a physical therapist without first getting a referral from a physician. You can schedule directly with Stewart Sport & Spine and start getting answers without waiting weeks for another appointment.
What if I've already tried physical therapy?
That’s okay—in fact, many of the patients we see have already tried physical therapy, chiropractic care, injections or other treatments without getting the results they hoped for. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes and a different approach can uncover something that was previously overlooked. We’ll take the time to understand what you’ve already tried, how you responded and what may be contributing to your symptoms now.
Do you take insurance?
Yes. Stewart Sport & Spine is in-network with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa. We also have had great success helping our patients get reimbursed for our services through their out of network insurance benefits. We also offer cash-pay options for patients with other insurance plans or those who prefer to pay directly. If you’re unsure about your coverage, contact our office and we’ll help you understand your options.
What if my pain goes down my leg?
Leg pain doesn’t automatically mean sciatica. Problems involving the lower back, hip, SI joint and surrounding structures can sometimes produce similar symptom patterns. Your evaluation is designed to look beyond where you feel the pain and determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
What happens after the evaluation?
We’ll explain what we found and give you a clear recommendation for what to do next. If we believe Stewart Sport & Spine is the right fit, we’ll discuss your treatment options and recommended plan. If we don’t believe physical therapy with us is the best next step, we’ll tell you that too and help point you in the appropriate direction. Our goal is for you to leave with honest answers, clear direction and confidence in your next step.
From Years of Back & Leg Pain to Finally Understanding the Problem
After years of lower-back and leg pain, multiple treatments, and little lasting relief, I came to Stewart Sport & Spine looking for a fresh set of eyes. Hear about their experience and what changed after finally taking a different approach.
“For the first time, I finally understood what was actually causing my pain.”– Kristi C— Stewart Sport & Spine Patient
You’ve Tried Treating the Pain. Now Find Out Why It’s Still There.
If you’ve been dealing with the same lower-back, hip or leg problem despite treatment, you don’t necessarily need another round of the same thing.
You may need a fresh set of eyes.
Start with a detailed orthopedic evaluation and leave understanding what we believe is causing your symptoms—and what you should do next.