Dr. Michele Pescasio, MD

Dr. Michele Pescasio, MD is a Sports Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive 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 a trusted partner in preventive health, committed to creating long-term wellness plans. Your Sports Medicine physician is your primary partner in creating a long-term health plan, coordinating preventative screenings, and managing your overall wellness to keep you active and injury-free. She serves individuals of all ages, from youth to senior athletes, and active people, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (813) 907-9898 to schedule.

Dr. Michele Pescasio, MD is a sports medicine specialist in Tampa, FL with over 25 years of experience in the medical field. A graduate of Ross University School of Medicine in 1997, she further specialized in Sports Medicine through fellowship training at the American Sports Med Inst. She is Board Certified in Family Practice and Sports Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and is affiliated with AdventHealth Orlando and Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, East Rusholme Street. With a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care, she brings a comprehensive approach to her practice, focusing on collaborative, evidence-based medicine and empowering patients to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Pescasio is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. She provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Michele Pescasio 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. Michele Pescasio 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. Michele Pescasio 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: Bursitis, or inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs cushioning your joints, can be prevented by warming up properly before exercise and maintaining good posture to avoid excessive strain.
• Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis (Tennis and Golf Elbow): Early diagnosis and management of lateral and medial epicondylitis (tennis and golfer's elbow) are key to preventing chronic pain and limitations in your daily activities and sports.
• Wrist Sprain or Strain: Early detection of a wrist sprain or strain is key to preventing long-term complications like chronic pain and limited mobility; seek medical attention if you experience persistent wrist pain.
• Osteoarthritis of Spine: Managing spinal osteoarthritis effectively through regular check-ups, physical therapy, and potentially medication can help prevent long-term complications, such as chronic pain and reduced mobility.
• Gait Abnormality: Catching a gait abnormality early prevents further injury and reduces the risk of long-term damage to your joints and muscles.
• Coccygeal Pain: Understanding the risk factors for coccygeal pain, such as falls or prolonged sitting, allows for proactive steps to reduce your chance of experiencing this debilitating condition.
• Muscle Weakness: Recognizing and managing muscle weakness is key to maintaining stability and preventing further damage to your joints.
• Adhesive Capsulitis Shoulder: Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, can significantly limit your range of motion, but early detection and proactive physical therapy can prevent long-term stiffness and disability.
• Neck Strain (incl. Whiplash Injury): Managing neck strain effectively through rest, ice, and gentle stretching can significantly reduce the risk of long-term pain and disability.
• Osteoarthritis of Knee: Managing osteoarthritis in your knee effectively means actively working to control symptoms, maintain functionality, and prevent the need for more invasive treatments down the road.
• Shoulder Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis: Early detection of shoulder tendinitis and tenosynovitis through self-monitoring and seeking medical advice can prevent long-term damage and chronic pain.
• Osteoarthritis of Hand or Wrist: Protecting your hands and wrists from osteoarthritis means understanding your risk factors and taking steps to manage them early, preventing significant pain and disability later in life.

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

• Bone Density Scan: Ensure your bones remain strong and healthy; a bone density scan is a preventative measure to detect osteoporosis and reduce your risk of fractures.
• Disability Evaluation: Prevent long-term debilitation – a thorough disability evaluation can pinpoint your physical limitations, allowing for targeted intervention and improving your chances of full recovery.
• Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Scan: Proactively protect your bones and prevent future fractures by getting a DEXA scan, a low-radiation X-ray that assesses bone density and helps detect weakening.
• Impairment Rating Evaluation: An impairment rating evaluation provides a comprehensive assessment of your physical limitations, supporting accurate diagnosis and timely interventions to prevent further issues.
• Joint Fluid Test: Take a proactive step towards joint health: a joint fluid test can detect infections or inflammatory conditions early, enabling timely treatment.
• Musculoskeletal Function Test: This test helps screen for early signs of musculoskeletal problems, allowing for timely intervention and preventing more serious issues down the line.
• Spinal and Postural Screening: Prevent long-term problems and improve your quality of life by getting a spinal and postural screening to detect and correct postural issues.
• Wheelchair Evaluation: Proactively address mobility challenges with a wheelchair evaluation to identify potential issues and optimize your comfort and safety.

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 Sports Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Michele Pescasio is dedicated to partnering with Coaches and Athletic Trainers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Athlete's life:

• By consistently warming up and maintaining proper form during training, a young athlete significantly reduced their risk of developing bursitis, enabling them to fully enjoy their sport without pain.
• By understanding the early warning signs of tennis and golfer's elbow, a patient proactively managed their symptoms, avoiding long-term pain and resuming favorite activities without limitations.

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 Sports Medicine care with Dr. Michele Pescasio:

What is the difference between a Sports Medicine Physician and an Orthopedic Surgeon?

A sports medicine physician, often a non-surgical doctor, is trained to diagnose and treat sports injuries, frequently with non-operative care. Orthopedic surgeons are surgical specialists for the musculoskeletal system. They often work in partnership, with the sports medicine physician as the initial point of contact, referring to the surgeon when surgical intervention is needed.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. Early intervention with bracing and therapy can often prevent the need for surgery.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone, often from repetitive use. It's different from a fracture caused by a single impact. Proper diagnosis and rest are essential to prevent it from worsening.

What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique using a small camera and instruments inserted through small incisions to repair joint damage. It often results in less pain, faster recovery, and a quicker return to activity compared to traditional open surgery.

How can I prevent common sports injuries like an ACL tear?

Preventing ACL tears and other sports injuries involves a dedicated neuromuscular training program. Proper warm-ups, strength training focusing on hamstrings and glutes, and practicing correct landing and pivoting techniques are crucial. This proactive approach helps protect your joints during activity.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy?

PRP therapy is a regenerative medicine technique where a concentrated amount of your own platelets is injected into the injured area. The goal is to utilize your body's natural growth factors to speed up the healing of tendons, ligaments, and joints, offering a modern, non-surgical approach to prevent chronic injury progression.

How is osteoarthritis treated non-surgically?

Non-surgical osteoarthritis management focuses on powerful strategies like activity modification, physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles, and weight management to reduce joint stress. Injections, such as cortisone or viscosupplementation, can also help manage symptoms and potentially prevent or delay the need for joint replacement surgery.

When is a joint replacement surgery recommended?

Joint replacement is considered when arthritis pain and stiffness significantly impair daily activities, and other treatments have proven ineffective. This decision is made collaboratively with your orthopedic surgeon to restore function and prevent a life limited by pain.

10311 Cross Creek Blvd Ste E
Tampa FL 33647
Phone: (813) 907-9898

Dr. Michele Pescasio, MD 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): 1285610915

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. Sports Medicine like Dr. Michele Pescasio 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 sports medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.