Dr. Shelby Parrish, DPT

Dr. Shelby Parrish, DPT is a Physical Therapist 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), she partners with patients in Gainesville, FL, to create long-term health plans, coordinating screenings, and restoring movement and function. 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. Shelby DPT is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. As a physical therapist in Gainesville, FL, she understands the importance of proactive health strategies and works closely with patients to develop personalized plans for injury prevention and recovery. She is committed to helping you achieve and maintain optimal physical function throughout your life. Patients should call (352) 373-2116 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Shelby DPT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Non-Traumatic Rupture of Achilles Tendon: Preventing a non-traumatic Achilles tendon rupture involves proactive steps like strengthening exercises, appropriate footwear, and maintaining a healthy weight to lessen stress on your tendons.
• Patellar Dislocation: Understanding your risk for patellar dislocation and taking steps to improve your knee's stability through physical therapy can prevent long-term knee problems.
• Traumatic Amputation: Amputation, while often unavoidable, can be managed more effectively with timely intervention and rehabilitation, ensuring a better quality of life.
• Hip Flexor Strain: Proper warm-up routines before physical activity significantly reduce your risk of developing a hip flexor strain, preserving your mobility and preventing more serious injury.
• Spina Bifida: Managing spina bifida effectively involves proactive physical therapy and other interventions to prevent further disabilities and maximize the child's mobility and independence.
• Sports Injuries of the Knee: Preventing knee sports injuries starts with understanding your risk factors and taking proactive steps to strengthen the muscles supporting your knee joint.
• Familial Joint Laxity: Knowing your family history of joint laxity is vital for proactive joint health; regular physical therapy sessions can strengthen muscles and support your joints, reducing the likelihood of future injuries.

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

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy empowers you to regain and maintain your mobility by assessing your current physical function and developing strategies to address any weaknesses or imbalances before they cause problems.
• Thoracic Facet Joint Injection: This injection helps determine if pain in your mid-back stems from your facet joints, allowing for early intervention and preventing long-term issues.
• Nutritional Counseling: Proactively manage your health and optimize your physical therapy outcomes by uncovering nutritional deficiencies and addressing them with a personalized plan.
• Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Proactively prevent long-term limitations by choosing post-surgical rehabilitation; it helps you rebuild strength, flexibility, and function after your procedure.
• Pediatric Developmental Therapy: Pediatric developmental therapy provides early detection and intervention for developmental delays, helping children achieve their developmental milestones and preventing potential future limitations.
• Pain Medication Management: Proactive pain medication management helps you understand your pain and develop a plan to reduce reliance on medication, focusing on long-term wellness.
• Ligament Reconstruction: Ligament reconstruction is a proactive measure to address significant ligament tears and prevent further damage, enabling a quicker return to activity.

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. Shelby 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 incorporating strengthening exercises and choosing supportive footwear into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a non-traumatic Achilles tendon rupture, allowing them to maintain an active lifestyle with greater confidence.
• By understanding their risk factors and participating in a tailored physical therapy program, a patient significantly improved knee stability, reducing the chance of future patellar dislocation and regaining confidence in their daily activities.
• By proactively addressing potential hazards and strengthening their safety awareness, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a traumatic amputation, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain their well-being.

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. Shelby DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT), like Dr. Shelby DPT, is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They help improve your quality of life by providing 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. Shelby 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. Shelby DPT, can be as effective as surgery for conditions like 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.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a skilled physical therapy technique where a thin needle is inserted into a muscle "trigger point" to release tension and relieve pain. It's based on Western anatomy and physiology, differing from acupuncture, and is a tool to accelerate your recovery.

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

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Shelby 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.

I have arthritis. Can physical therapy actually help?

Yes, physical therapy is a cornerstone of arthritis management. While it can't reverse arthritis, a targeted exercise program from Dr. Shelby DPT can strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and significantly reduce pain, helping to prevent disability and maintain an active life.

What is 'manual therapy'?

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

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

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," can strengthen muscles and improve your overall fitness, making recovery quicker and easier. Post-operative physical therapy is crucial to restoring range of motion, building strength, and ensuring optimal function of your new joint. Starting soon after surgery is key to achieving the best possible outcome.

2000 SW 16th St Apt 9
Gainesville FL 32608
Phone: (352) 373-2116

Dr. Shelby Parrish, 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): 1275195489

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. Shelby 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.