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Posted on Sat, Apr 20, 2013 : 5:59 a.m.

Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists to open on Ann Arbor's East Liberty Street

By Lizzy Alfs

Running Fit owner Randy Step found a like-minded business to open next to his downtown Ann Arbor store: Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists.

Step, who purchased the 800-square-foot space at 121 E. Liberty St., in September, struck a deal with the physical therapy clinic, which was founded in 1999 and now has more than 25 locations. Metamorphosis Salon vacated the space for a new location in January.

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Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists in downtown Ann Arbor will specialize in sports and running-related injuries under its The Running Institute umbrella.

Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com

Because the downtown Ann Arbor Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists clinic will be adjacent to a Running Fit store, it will specialize in sports and running-related injuries under its The Running Institute umbrella.

“It’s quite a unique model and it’s all for helping patients come back from injuries and also helping runners at all levels with their form and training and every aspect you can think of with running,” explained Pete Kitto, a partner and regional director for Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists.

The clinic also sponsors running clinics, camps, races and group runs. Kitto said they will offer sports massage and possibly sports acupuncture.

“I’ve devoted my last 13 or 14 years of my practice to runners and I just think: ‘How can I help any kind of runner continue to run?’” Kitto said.

Having a downtown presence, he said, will give the clinic access to Univeristy of Michigan students.

Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists already operates The Running Institute with two Running Fit stores: one in Northville and one on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor. Kitto said it’s the perfect partnership.

“If you have a running injury or you’re shopping for shoes and have an injury, you can walk next door,” Kitto said. “Sales staff (at Running Fit) can bring people over and we do free assessments at any time. Then, if I want to fit people with shoes, I walk them next door.”

Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists is renovating the downtown Ann Arbor space now and Kitto hopes it will open in June or July.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.

Comments

Goofus

Sat, Apr 20, 2013 : 9:34 p.m.

We'll break ya down so that we can bill you to build you back up.

Linda Grosh

Sat, Apr 20, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.

The best place for Rehabilitation is the University of Michigan's PT/OT locations all over Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan. They have certified therapists in sports and all other other physical rehabilitation categories. Plus Michigan Therapists work with surgeons and physical medical physicians to get you back to your sport better than ever! No I am not one of the therapists, just know how amazing they are.

Robert D. Mosley

Sat, Apr 20, 2013 : 5:11 p.m.

Another great piece that I can use the next time I am back in AA to see family. Thankk Lizzy!

Local Yocal

Sat, Apr 20, 2013 : 2:43 p.m.

That is a good location as folks in their 40's tend to have a lot of injuries due to running on hard pavement.

nickcarraweigh

Sat, Apr 20, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.

Gives a whole new meaning to going to rehab