Dr. Carissa Aquino, DPT

Dr. Carissa Aquino, DPT is a Physical Therapist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. She practices at her clinic in Fleming Island, 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. Carissa DPT 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. She serves all ages.

Dr. Carissa Aquino, DPT is a physical therapist in Fleming Island, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. Her focus is on creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She believes in the power of proactive care and works with patients to develop individualized plans for maintaining and improving overall well-being. To confirm if Dr. Carissa DPT is currently accepting new patients, please call (904) 621-0396. Dr. Carissa DPT provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Carissa DPT 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. Carissa DPT 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. Carissa DPT 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:

• Pulled Muscles: Regular strength training and flexibility exercises can build resilient muscles, reducing your chances of experiencing pulled muscles and improving your overall recovery potential.
• Foot and Ankle Fracture Treatment, Closed: Protecting your feet and ankles from injury through proper footwear, stretching, and safety measures helps avoid the need for fracture treatment, a key aspect of preventive care.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Protecting your wrists and hands from repetitive strain and overuse can significantly reduce your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome and its associated discomfort and limitations.
• Facet Joint Pain: Regular exercise, stretching, and ergonomic adjustments at work can help you prevent facet joint pain and maintain spinal health.
• Post-Traumatic Knee Range of Motion Problems: Protecting your knees from further damage after an injury requires addressing any range-of-motion issues promptly through targeted exercises and therapies.
• Infective Arthritis: Early diagnosis and treatment of infective arthritis are key to minimizing joint damage and avoiding the need for extensive physical therapy later.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): Understanding risk factors for CRPS, such as nerve injuries or certain types of surgery, is a vital aspect of preventive care, allowing for timely treatment and reducing chronic pain.

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. Carissa DPT offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Percutaneous Disc Decompression: Don't wait until back pain disables you. Percutaneous disc decompression offers a proactive approach to managing spinal disc issues and restoring comfort.
• Rehabilitation Therapy: Invest in your future mobility by proactively seeking rehabilitation therapy to address movement limitations and prevent further injury.
• Nerve Destruction by Neurolytic Agent: Addressing nerve issues proactively can significantly enhance your recovery journey, ensuring that you regain full function and mobility as quickly and safely as possible.
• Mobility Exercise: Take charge of your physical health with mobility exercises; these movements help identify limitations, preventing more significant mobility problems.
• Physical Therapy: Take a proactive step towards a healthier, more mobile you with physical therapy; it helps identify movement limitations and creates a personalized plan to prevent future injuries.
• TheraLase® Cold Laser Therapy: Proactively manage your pain and improve your mobility with TheraLase® Cold Laser Therapy, a safe and effective treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions.
• Hyaluronic Acid Injection: As a proactive step in maintaining joint health, hyaluronic acid injections can help restore cushioning and improve mobility, potentially preventing the need for more invasive treatments.

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. Carissa DPT 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 incorporating regular strength training and stretching into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of pulled muscles, enjoying a pain-free and active lifestyle.
• By incorporating proper footwear and stretching into their daily routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a foot or ankle fracture, gaining confidence in their ability to stay active and injury-free.
• By incorporating the physical therapist's recommendations for wrist exercises and ergonomic adjustments into their daily routine, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, and maintained comfortable hand function.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She 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. Carissa DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

Dr. Carissa, a licensed Physical Therapist (PT), is a movement expert who helps improve your quality of life. She provides 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. Carissa DPT will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by a physical evaluation of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This 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, like with chronic back pain, rotator cuff tears, or knee osteoarthritis, can be as effective as surgery in reducing pain and improving function. It's a powerful, non-invasive first step that may prevent the need for more invasive procedures.

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Dr. Carissa DPT and our team of physical therapists can help you regain strength, balance, and walking ability after a stroke. We use specialized exercises to encourage your brain to rewire itself, improving function and reducing the risk of falls. Our goal is to maximize your independence and quality of life.

I feel dizzy and off-balance. Can a physical therapist help?

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Carissa DPT can help. Many physical therapists are specially trained in vestibular rehabilitation and can treat common causes of dizziness, such as BPPV, with specific head maneuvers. They can also improve balance through targeted exercises to help prevent falls.

I have pain at my desk job. Can you provide ergonomic advice?

Yes, absolutely. Preventing workplace injuries is a key part of physical therapy. Dr. Carissa DPT can assess your workstation setup and provide expert ergonomic recommendations, as well as teach stretches and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

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, unlike acupuncture, and can be a helpful tool to accelerate your recovery.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach used by Dr. Carissa, DPT, to address pain and improve movement. It includes techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization to restore joint motion and alleviate muscle tension. This helps prepare your body for more effective therapeutic exercises.

1747 Baptist Clay Dr Ste 200
Fleming Island FL 32003
Phone: (904) 621-0396

Dr. Carissa Aquino, DPT 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): 1063995306

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. Carissa DPT 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.