Chris Dhespeel, PT

Chris Dhespeel, PT is a Physical Therapist committed to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive physical therapy care. He practices at his clinic in Sarasota, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, Dr. Chris PT understands that general physical therapists are your primary partners in preventive care, collaborating to create long-term health plans, coordinating screenings, and restoring movement and function, guiding you through injury rehabilitation and empowering you to maintain optimal wellness for life. He serves all ages.

Dr. Chris PT's approach to care emphasizes collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He is dedicated to helping patients understand their bodies and develop strategies for injury prevention and overall well-being. As a physical therapist in Sarasota, FL, Dr. Chris PT is focused on providing the highest quality care possible, and patients should call (941) 341-9480 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Chris PT provides consultations primarily in English. His commitment to preventive care and collaborative treatment makes him a valuable resource for maintaining long-term health and well-being. He prioritizes patient education and active participation in their recovery and wellness journey.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Chris PT is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Chris PT can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Chris PT provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Degenerative Diseases Affecting Musculoskeletal System: Don't wait for severe pain – proactive care, including regular checkups and tailored exercise programs, can effectively manage degenerative musculoskeletal diseases and enhance your long-term mobility.
• Rib Fracture: A rib fracture, while often painful, can be managed effectively with early intervention to prevent further complications like pneumonia or chronic pain, highlighting the importance of preventive care strategies.
• Meniscus Tear: Protecting your knees through proper warm-ups, strengthening exercises, and avoiding risky activities can significantly reduce your risk of developing a painful meniscus tear.
• Knee and Lower Leg Fracture Treatment, Closed: Managing a closed knee and lower leg fracture effectively reduces the risk of complications like chronic pain or stiffness, improving your overall quality of life.
• Avascular Necrosis: Proactive management of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, known risk factors for avascular necrosis, is key to protecting your bones and joints and reducing the chances of bone death.
• Knock Knees: Addressing knock knees through physical therapy can help maintain proper joint alignment, reducing the risk of developing osteoarthritis or other joint-related issues in the future.
• Charcot Disease: Protecting your feet from Charcot disease starts with managing underlying conditions like diabetes and regularly inspecting your feet for any signs of damage – early detection is key to preventing severe foot problems.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Chris PT offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Exposure Therapy: As part of your injury recovery, safely and progressively re-engage with activities that caused previous pain or discomfort, preventing future setbacks.
• Extremity Adjusting Procedure: This procedure involves gentle adjustments to your arms or legs, helping detect and correct subtle issues that could lead to injuries.
• Pain Rehabilitation and Management: Take proactive steps to manage pain and restore your movement with our pain rehabilitation program, designed to help you regain your full functional capacity.
• Orthopedic Procedure: To prevent long-term disability and enhance quality of life, an orthopedic procedure may be necessary to correct structural issues in your bones, joints, or muscles.
• Amputee Rehabilitation: Take charge of your recovery with amputee rehabilitation; our specialized program focuses on restoring movement, reducing pain, and improving your confidence after amputation.
• Occipital Nerve Block: This injection helps identify if neck pain is related to nerve irritation at the base of your skull, offering a proactive approach to treating chronic pain and improving your quality of life.
• Cooled Radiofrequency Treatment: As part of your journey to better health, consider cooled radiofrequency treatment to address persistent pain and potentially avoid the need for more extensive interventions.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Physical Therapies in Florida.

Dr. Chris PT is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By consistently following a tailored exercise program, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing degenerative musculoskeletal conditions, fostering a greater sense of well-being and long-term mobility.
• By focusing on strengthening core muscles and improving posture through physical therapy, a patient significantly reduced their risk of rib fractures, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain an active lifestyle.
• By incorporating a proactive physical therapy program focused on strengthening exercises and injury prevention, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a painful meniscus tear, allowing them to continue their active lifestyle without worry.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Physical Therapy care with Dr. Chris PT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They help improve your quality of life by providing hands-on care, education, and exercises to prevent injuries, manage pain, and restore function after an illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Chris PT will be a comprehensive assessment. We will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by a physical evaluation of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This evaluation is the starting point for creating a completely personalized prevention and recovery plan.

Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery?

Yes, in many cases. Physical therapy can be as effective as surgery for conditions like chronic back pain, rotator cuff tears, or knee osteoarthritis. It's a powerful, non-invasive first step to reduce pain and improve function, potentially preventing the need for more invasive procedures.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach used by Dr. Chris PT to address pain and improve movement. It includes techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization, which help restore joint motion, release muscle tension, and prepare the body for therapeutic exercise.

I have arthritis. Can physical therapy actually help?

Yes, physical therapy is a cornerstone of arthritis management. While it can't reverse the arthritis, a targeted exercise program from Dr. Chris PT can strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and significantly reduce pain, helping to prevent disability and maintain an active life.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a skilled technique where a physical therapist inserts a thin needle into a muscle "trigger point" to release tension and relieve pain. It's based on Western anatomy and physiology, different from acupuncture, and can be a valuable tool to accelerate your recovery.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Chris PT's home exercise program is a personalized set of exercises designed to help you continue progress between sessions and prevent your condition from returning after therapy is complete. It's the most important part of your recovery journey.

I'm having joint replacement surgery. When should I start PT?

Prehabilitation, or pre-op physical therapy, strengthens muscles before surgery, speeding recovery. Post-operative physical therapy is crucial, starting soon after surgery, to restore range of motion, build strength, and ensure the best possible outcome from your new joint.

4964 Fruitville Rd
Sarasota FL 34232
Phone: (941) 341-9480

Chris Dhespeel, PT is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1811965346

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Physical Therapies like Dr. Chris PT are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your physical therapy about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.