Dr. Elizabeth Cranford, DPT

Dr. Elizabeth Cranford, DPT is a Physical Therapist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she provides essential physical therapy services at her clinic in Fernandina Beach, FL. As a valued partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she 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 and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their health journey.

Dr. Elizabeth DPT's focus extends beyond immediate treatment to encompass the broader picture of long-term wellness. She recognizes the crucial role of proactive health management in preventing future issues and works closely with patients to develop personalized strategies for maintaining optimal physical function. This approach emphasizes not only restoring movement and function but also educating patients about their bodies and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Please call (904) 261-4664 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Elizabeth Cranford, DPT is a physical therapist in Fernandina Beach, FL, providing consultations primarily in English.

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

• Bursitis of Hip: Understanding and addressing risk factors for hip bursitis, such as repetitive movements or underlying medical conditions, is critical to prevent its onset and maintain your hip joint's health and function for a longer time.
• 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.
• Osteoarthritis of Ankle: Osteoarthritis of the ankle is a degenerative joint disease that can be managed with early detection and proactive physical therapy to prevent further damage and maintain mobility.
• Degenerative Disorders: Early detection and physical therapy interventions for degenerative conditions are crucial for minimizing long-term disability and maintaining mobility.
• Syncopal Paroxysmal Tachycardia: If you experience sudden fainting associated with a racing heart, seeking medical attention promptly can help determine the cause and implement strategies to prevent future occurrences and potential harm.
• Trigger Thumb: Protecting yourself from trigger thumb starts with recognizing early symptoms like clicking or locking in your finger; prompt treatment can prevent more severe limitations in hand function.
• Tenosynovitis: Tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendon and its sheath, and catching it early through regular self-checks can prevent long-term stiffness and 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. Elizabeth DPT offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Dry Needling: Take a proactive role in your health by using dry needling to address muscle imbalances and pain, helping you to restore normal movement patterns and preventing recurring issues.
• Cortisone Injection: A cortisone injection can be a proactive step to reduce inflammation and pain, helping you manage your condition and regain mobility more quickly.
• Cervical Injection: As part of your proactive health plan, a cervical injection can help diagnose nerve compression or inflammation in your neck, leading to quicker, more effective treatment.
• Active Release Technique: ART is a preventative measure; it helps identify areas of muscle tightness or scarring that could lead to pain or restricted movement, allowing for early intervention.
• Electrical Muscle Stimulation: As part of your injury recovery, electrical muscle stimulation can help speed up healing by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation in the affected area.
• Botulinum Toxin Injection: Botulinum toxin injections offer a proactive approach to managing certain neurological conditions, helping you maintain independence and improve quality of life by reducing muscle spasticity.
• Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation: By reducing nerve pain that interferes with your daily life, radiofrequency nerve ablation can be a proactive approach to improve mobility and function, restoring activities you may have given up due to discomfort.

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. Elizabeth 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 repetitive movements that increased their risk of hip bursitis, a patient proactively implemented strategies to reduce strain on their hip, preventing painful flare-ups and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.
• By proactively engaging in a tailored physical therapy program, a patient significantly reduced their risk of lumbar spinal stenosis, ensuring they could maintain an active lifestyle without limitations. This proactive approach fostered a sense of empowerment and confidence in managing their long-term well-being.
• By proactively addressing ankle pain and following a tailored physical therapy program, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing osteoarthritis, maintaining their active lifestyle.

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. Elizabeth DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT), like Dr. Elizabeth DPT, is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement and improving quality of life. They use 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. Elizabeth 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 assessment is the starting point for developing a 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.

What is 'manual therapy'?

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

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Dr. Elizabeth DPT and our team of physical therapists can help you regain strength, balance, and walking ability after a stroke. We use specific, repetitive exercises to encourage neuroplasticity, which helps the brain rewire itself. Our goal is to improve your function and independence, and prevent future falls.

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

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," can strengthen muscles, preparing you for surgery and speeding up your 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. Dr. Elizabeth DPT will work with you to create a personalized plan for both pre- and post-operative care.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

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

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

Yes, pediatric physical therapists are experts in child development. Dr. Elizabeth DPT 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 to meet their milestones.

1897 Island Walk Way Ste 5
Fernandina Beach FL 32034
Phone: (904) 261-4664

Dr. Elizabeth Cranford, 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): 1700582137

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. Elizabeth 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.