Dr. Julie Oconnor, DPT

Dr. Julie Oconnor, DPT is a Physical Therapist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Kissimmee, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. Dr. Julie DPT serves all ages, and patients should call (407) 530-5063 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Julie Oconnor, DPT is a physical therapist in Kissimmee, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. She creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, recognizing that proactive care is key to long-term well-being. She is committed to fostering a positive patient experience and comprehensive care. Dr. Julie DPT offers consultations in Arabic, furthering her commitment to diverse patient needs.

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

• Wrist Injuries: Early detection of wrist problems, like tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, is key to preventing long-term damage and disability.
• Spine Dislocation: Managing a spine dislocation promptly through physical therapy can prevent further complications like chronic pain, nerve damage, and limited mobility, restoring full functionality.
• Non-Unions and Malunions of Fractures: Properly managing your fracture risk factors, like osteoporosis or smoking, can significantly reduce your chances of developing non-unions and malunions, improving your long-term bone health.
• Bone Reconstruction Recovery: Managing your bone reconstruction effectively, including adherence to physical therapy and lifestyle changes, promotes faster healing and prevents recurrence of fractures.
• Ankle Fusion: Ankle fusion surgery is a last resort for severe ankle arthritis, highlighting the importance of early detection and proactive management of ankle pain to prevent the need for this major procedure.
• Achilles Tendinitis: Managing Achilles tendinitis effectively through rest, ice, and physical therapy helps prevent further damage to the tendon, reducing the risk of rupture and ensuring a quicker recovery.
• Congenital Hand Anomaly: Addressing a congenital hand anomaly through early therapy helps manage potential developmental delays and promotes hand function, improving overall 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. Julie DPT offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Exercise Counseling: Exercise counseling assesses your current fitness level and creates a personalized plan to improve strength, flexibility, and balance, reducing fall risk.
• Ligament Reconstruction: Taking the proactive step of ligament reconstruction helps repair torn ligaments, reducing pain and improving long-term joint function.
• Lymphedema Therapy: Lymphedema therapy helps proactively manage swelling and prevent further complications by improving lymphatic drainage.
• Lumbar Medial Branch Block: Before your lower back pain becomes chronic, a lumbar medial branch block can help identify the underlying issue, allowing for prompt physical therapy intervention to restore movement and function.
• Pediatric Developmental Therapy: Give your child the best start with pediatric developmental therapy—a proactive approach to identifying and addressing any challenges impacting their physical development and reducing the risk of long-term problems.
• Spinal Cord Stimulation: For persistent back pain unresponsive to other treatments, spinal cord stimulation offers a proactive pathway to regain comfort and movement.
• Orthopedic Rehabilitation: Invest in your mobility: Orthopedic rehabilitation is a proactive step to restore function, reduce pain, and prevent limitations in your movement.

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. Julie 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 the early warning signs of wrist pain and participating in a proactive physical therapy program, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing debilitating wrist injuries, allowing them to maintain their active lifestyle.
• By proactively addressing potential spine issues through tailored physical therapy, a patient significantly reduced their risk of dislocation and enjoyed a return to their active lifestyle, free from pain and limited mobility.
• By proactively addressing osteoporosis risk factors through physical therapy guidance, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing non-unions and malunions, ensuring better long-term bone health and peace of mind.

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. Julie DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT), like Dr. Julie DPT, is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement and restoring function. They use hands-on care, education, and exercise to improve quality of life, prevent injuries, manage pain, and help patients recover from illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Julie 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 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 'manual therapy'?

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

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

Yes, pediatric physical therapists like Dr. Julie 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.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Julie DPT's physical therapy for chronic back pain focuses on identifying the root cause and empowering you to prevent future episodes. A personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on proper posture and body mechanics will be created to help you manage and prevent your back pain.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Julie 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 recurring after therapy is finished.

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Dr. Julie DPT and our physical therapists use specific, repetitive exercises to help your brain rewire itself, improving walking, balance, and strength after a stroke. This targeted approach maximizes your independence and helps prevent falls. We focus on neuroplasticity to regain lost function.

1200 N Central Ave Ste 110
Kissimmee FL 34741
Phone: (407) 530-5063

Dr. Julie Oconnor, 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): 1104340926

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. Julie 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.