Dr. Marla Lester, DPT

Dr. Marla Lester, DPT is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in Plantation, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Marla DPT is committed to helping you achieve and maintain optimal wellness through evidence-based, collaborative 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. Marla Lester, DPT is a physical therapist in Plantation, FL, dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering environment for her patients. Her approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, recognizing the vital role patients play in their own health journeys. She prioritizes creating a supportive space where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term health plans. Patients should call (954) 835-5619 to confirm if the doctor is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Marla DPT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Hand Tendon Injuries: Managing hand tendon injuries effectively, often with physical therapy, helps to prevent long-term complications like chronic pain and reduced hand dexterity.
• Metatarsal Fracture: Preventing metatarsal fractures involves being aware of risk factors like high-impact activities or ill-fitting shoes; managing the injury effectively prevents complications such as arthritis and persistent pain.
• Spondylosis Cervical Without Myelopathy: Managing spondylosis cervical without myelopathy focuses on preventing the progression of the condition and preserving neck mobility. Physical therapy helps address symptoms like stiffness and pain to prevent long-term complications.
• Adult Scoliosis: Don't let adult scoliosis limit your movement; preventive physical therapy can help maintain flexibility, improve strength, and reduce the risk of severe complications later in life.
• Joint Stiffness: Joint stiffness, if caught early, can be managed to prevent the development of more serious mobility issues and improve your quality of life.
• Hip Dislocation: Managing a hip dislocation effectively, with the right treatment and rehabilitation, prevents future dislocations and helps restore full hip function.
• 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.

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

• EMG (Electromyography): Take a proactive step towards better movement by getting an EMG; this painless test helps identify nerve or muscle problems before they significantly impact your daily activities.
• Craniosacral Therapy (CST): As part of your overall wellness plan, consider craniosacral therapy to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance the body's self-healing mechanisms, potentially improving your overall well-being and preventing future health problems.
• Impairment Rating Evaluation: Proactively protect your long-term well-being with an impairment rating evaluation, which objectively measures your physical limitations to help prevent chronic issues.
• Rehabilitation Therapy - Inpatient Rehabilitation: Maximize your recovery potential by choosing inpatient rehab, where you receive focused care to prevent complications and promote optimal outcomes.
• Rossitor System for Pain Relief: The Rossitor System offers a proactive approach to pain management by assessing your body's movement patterns, identifying potential issues, and guiding you towards lasting pain relief and improved function.
• Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique: Proactively protect your spine's health with Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique, a precise assessment and adjustment method aiming to detect and correct vertebral misalignments before they cause significant problems.
• Botox® for Cervical Dystonia: Botox® injections can help prevent the worsening of cervical dystonia symptoms by reducing muscle spasms and improving your neck's range of motion.

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. Marla 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:

• Through a proactive physical therapy program, a patient learned exercises and techniques to strengthen hand muscles, reducing their risk of hand tendon injuries and improving their overall hand function. This proactive approach gave them confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
• By understanding their risk factors and implementing a proactive physical therapy plan, a patient successfully prevented a metatarsal fracture, maintaining their active lifestyle and avoiding potential future complications.
• By proactively addressing stiffness and pain through targeted physical therapy, a patient maintained a healthy range of motion in their neck, significantly reducing the risk of future complications from spondylosis cervical without myelopathy. This proactive approach allowed them to enjoy their daily activities with confidence and prevent long-term discomfort.

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. Marla DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT), like Dr. Marla DPT, is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They use hands-on treatment, education, and exercises to improve your quality of life, 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. Marla DPT will be a comprehensive evaluation. She 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 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.

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

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Marla, 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.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Marla DPT can perform a functional movement screen to identify potential injury risks, such as 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 improve overall movement and reduce the likelihood of injuries.

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Dr. Marla DPT and our team of physical therapists work with stroke survivors to restore function and independence. We use specific, repetitive exercises to encourage neuroplasticity, helping the brain rewire itself and regain lost skills. Our goal is to improve walking, balance, and strength, ultimately reducing the risk of falls and maximizing your ability to live a fulfilling life.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Marla DPT's home exercise program is a personalized set of exercises designed to help you continue progress between sessions and prevent your condition from returning after therapy is complete. It's a crucial part of your recovery and an empowering tool for long-term wellness.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy, provided by Dr. Marla DPT, is a specialized area of physical therapy focusing on the muscles of the pelvic floor. It's a highly effective, non-surgical treatment for conditions like urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and issues related to pregnancy and postpartum recovery, benefiting both men and women.

8040 Peters Rd Ste H107
Plantation FL 33324
Phone: (954) 835-5619

Dr. Marla Lester, 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): 1164025508

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. Marla 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.