Dr. Elisabeth Spears, DPT

Dr. Elisabeth Spears, DPT is a Physical Therapist specializing in preventive care at her clinic in Tampa, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. 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. Elisabeth DPT's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. As a physical therapist in Tampa, FL, she understands the importance of proactive wellness and utilizes her expertise to help patients achieve their physical goals and overall well-being. Patients should call (800) 806-6026 to confirm if the doctor is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Elisabeth DPT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Achilles Tenotomy: While an Achilles tenotomy is a surgical solution, proactive management of Achilles tendinitis through physical therapy and proper footwear choices can significantly reduce the risk of requiring this procedure.
• Wrist Sprain: Understanding your risk factors for wrist sprains, such as repetitive movements or weak muscles, allows for proactive steps, such as strengthening exercises, to prevent future occurrences.
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Early detection of sacroiliac joint dysfunction is key to preventing long-term mobility issues and chronic pain; regular check-ups with your physical therapist can help identify problems early.
• Acute Postoperative Pain: By addressing acute postoperative pain effectively, you can minimize the risk of developing long-term pain issues and return to your normal activities quicker.
• Intervertebral Disc Disease: Managing intervertebral disc disease effectively through physical therapy can help prevent more severe complications such as chronic pain, nerve impingement, and the need for surgery.
• Sports Injuries of the Knee: Early detection and treatment of knee injuries from sports is crucial to avoid long-term damage and maintain mobility.
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Lumbar spinal stenosis can be effectively managed through proactive physical therapy, reducing pain and improving mobility before it limits your daily activities.

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

• Hypnosis (Medical Hypnotherapy): Proactively address underlying psychological factors contributing to musculoskeletal pain and improve rehabilitation outcomes with medical hypnotherapy.
• Extremity Adjusting Procedure: This procedure involves gentle adjustments to your arms or legs, helping detect and correct subtle issues that could lead to injuries.
• Supportive Counseling: Supportive counseling helps you develop coping strategies to manage pain and improve your overall well-being, preventing emotional distress from impacting your recovery.
• Sports Physical Examination: Invest in your long-term athletic well-being through a comprehensive sports physical exam, ensuring you're physically prepared and reducing injury risk.
• Peripheral Nerve Block: A peripheral nerve block is a procedure that can help pinpoint the source of your nerve pain, guiding your physical therapist in creating a targeted treatment plan.
• Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy helps you adapt your daily activities to prevent future injuries and maximize your independence.
• Radiofrequency Denervation: To proactively manage your joint pain and prevent further deterioration, radiofrequency denervation offers a targeted approach to deactivating pain-causing nerves.

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. Elisabeth 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 diligently following a physical therapy program and choosing supportive footwear, a patient significantly reduced their risk of needing an Achilles tenotomy, allowing them to maintain an active lifestyle. This proactive approach brought peace of mind and confidence in managing their foot health.
• Recognizing repetitive motions as a potential wrist sprain risk, a patient proactively incorporated strengthening exercises into their daily routine, significantly reducing their chances of future injury and allowing for continued enjoyment of their favorite activities.
• By attending regular physical therapy sessions, a patient proactively addressed potential sacroiliac joint dysfunction, reducing the risk of future mobility limitations and chronic pain. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and confidence in their long-term health.

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. Elisabeth DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

Dr. Elisabeth, 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 illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Elisabeth DPT will be a comprehensive assessment. We will discuss your medical history and goals, then perform 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 that provided by Dr. Elisabeth DPT, can be as effective as surgery for conditions such as 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.

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

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Elisabeth 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 prevent falls.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Elisabeth DPT's physical therapy for chronic back pain focuses on prevention and empowering you to manage your pain long-term. She'll identify the root cause, creating a personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility, and education on proper posture and body mechanics to prevent future episodes.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Elisabeth DPT can perform a functional movement screen to identify potential injury risks, like muscle imbalances or poor movement patterns. A personalized exercise program can then be created to strengthen those areas and prevent future problems. This proactive approach helps optimize function and reduce the likelihood of injury.

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 optimize your new joint's function. Working with Dr. Elisabeth DPT before and after your joint replacement surgery will ensure the best possible outcome.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Elisabeth DPT's home exercise program is a crucial part of your recovery. It's a personalized set of exercises designed to help you continue progress between sessions and prevent the problem from returning after therapy is complete.

600 N West Shore Blvd
Tampa FL 33609
Phone: (800) 806-6026

Dr. Elisabeth Spears, 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): 1912322876

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. Elisabeth 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.