Dr. Danica Michel, DPT

Dr. Danica Michel, DPT is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in Fort Myers, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a trusted partner in preventive health, featured on weprevent.org. 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. Danica DPT is a physical therapist in Fort Myers, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. She strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her focus is on prevention, working with each patient to develop personalized strategies for maintaining optimal function and well-being. To confirm if Dr. Danica DPT is currently accepting new patients, please call (239) 337-2739. Dr. Danica DPT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Low Back Pain: Protecting your back health is crucial; understanding the risk factors for low back pain and implementing preventive measures can help you avoid future issues.
• Rupture of Achilles Tendon: Early detection of Achilles tendon issues, through regular self-assessment and professional check-ups, is key to preventing a rupture and the lengthy rehabilitation process.
• Spinal Fracture: Managing a spinal fracture effectively through physical therapy and appropriate bracing minimizes further damage and helps restore function, preventing long-term complications like chronic pain and mobility limitations.
• Degenerative Spine Disorders: Protecting your spine from further degeneration involves understanding your risk factors and adopting preventive strategies like maintaining a healthy weight and practicing core strengthening exercises.
• Ankle Instability: Preventing future ankle injuries starts with recognizing the signs of instability—such as giving way or recurring swelling—and seeking physical therapy to restore balance and strength.
• Arthropathy of Spinal Facet Joint: Arthropathy of the spinal facet joint means wear and tear in the small joints of your spine, and early detection through regular checkups can help prevent long-term pain and disability.
• Dropfoot: By proactively addressing risk factors like diabetes and nerve damage, you can lower your chances of developing dropfoot and maintaining your independence.

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

• Spine Physical Therapy: Take charge of your back health through spine physical therapy, which screens for spinal misalignments and weaknesses that could cause pain.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be hindering your recovery from injury or preventing you from achieving your fitness goals.
• Interventional Pain Management: Proactively manage your pain and avoid surgery with interventional pain management; it uses advanced imaging and targeted techniques to treat various pain conditions.
• Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy helps proactively identify and correct oral habits that could lead to jaw pain, sleep apnea, or speech problems.
• Pain Management Through Physical Therapy: Don't let pain limit you—physical therapy can help pinpoint the source of your discomfort and create a personalized plan to restore your function and prevent recurrence.
• Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Maximize your recovery and reduce long-term complications from a traumatic brain injury through targeted rehabilitation therapies.
• Atlas Orthogonal Technique: As a proactive step in maintaining your overall well-being, Atlas Orthogonal Technique is a precise chiropractic approach designed to identify and correct misalignments in your upper neck, improving head and neck function.

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. Danica 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 understanding their back's unique needs and implementing a tailored exercise program, a patient significantly reduced their risk of future low back pain, enjoying a pain-free and active lifestyle.
• By regularly assessing their Achilles tendon health and following a personalized physical therapy plan, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a tendon rupture, ensuring a more active and pain-free lifestyle.
• A patient, proactively managing their spinal health through physical therapy, significantly reduced the risk of a fracture, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. By working with a physical therapist, the patient felt empowered to prevent potential long-term complications.

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. Danica DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT), like Dr. Danica DPT, is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement and improving your quality of life. They use hands-on care, education, and exercise 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. Danica DPT 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 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 just as effective as surgery in reducing pain and improving function. It's a powerful, non-invasive first step that often prevents the need for more invasive procedures.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Danica DPT's home exercise program is a personalized set of exercises designed to help you continue your progress between sessions and prevent the problem from returning after therapy is complete. It's the most important part of your recovery and empowers you to take an active role in your healing.

My child seems clumsy or behind in motor skills. Can PT help?

Yes, pediatric physical therapists like Dr. Danica DPT are experts in child development. She can perform a developmental screening to identify any delays and create a fun, play-based therapy program to help your child build strength, coordination, and confidence.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach used by Dr. Danica, DPT, to address pain and improve movement. It includes techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization to restore joint motion and reduce pain, preparing the body for more effective therapeutic exercise.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Danica DPT's physical therapy approach for chronic back pain focuses on identifying the root cause and empowering you to prevent future episodes. We create a personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on proper posture and body mechanics. This proactive approach aims for long-term pain management and improved function.

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

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," can strengthen muscles before surgery, speeding up recovery. Post-operative physical therapy is critical, starting soon after surgery, to restore range of motion, build strength, and ensure the best possible outcome from your new joint. Dr. Danica DPT will work with you to create a personalized plan.

15751 San Carlos Blvd Ste 4
Fort Myers FL 33908
Phone: (239) 337-2739

Dr. Danica Michel, 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): 1346516176

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. Danica 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.