Dr. Valerie Spees, DPT

Dr. Valerie Spees, 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 Ponte Vedra, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. Valerie DPT is a physical therapist in Ponte Vedra, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. She fosters a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to actively participate in their long-term health journeys. Her dedication to preventive care extends to working with patients to understand their unique needs and develop personalized strategies for maintaining optimal health. Please call (904) 564-2000 to confirm if Dr. Valerie DPT is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Valerie DPT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Cauda Equina Syndrome: Managing underlying conditions like spinal stenosis through regular checkups and physical therapy can significantly reduce your risk of developing cauda equina syndrome.
• Glenoid Labrum Tear: Managing a glenoid labrum tear effectively minimizes further damage and improves the chances of a full recovery, restoring normal shoulder function and preventing chronic pain.
• Enthesopathy of Knee (incl. Bursitis of Knee): Enthesopathy of the knee, including bursitis, is an inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, often preventable through proactive strengthening exercises and appropriate weight management to reduce stress on the joint.
• Herniated Disc: A herniated disc, often preventable with proper posture and lifting techniques, occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in its outer layer, causing pain and potentially leading to long-term disability if not addressed early.
• Rib Fracture: Protecting your ribs through proactive measures like proper posture and injury prevention techniques can significantly reduce your risk of fractures and the need for extensive rehabilitation.
• Musculoskeletal Disorders in Women: Many musculoskeletal problems in women are preventable; proactive steps like regular exercise and good posture can significantly reduce your risk.
• Shoulder Fracture: Early detection of a shoulder fracture is crucial to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of chronic pain and reduced shoulder function later in life; regular health check-ups and fall risk assessments are key to prevention.

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

• Shoulder Injection: As a proactive measure to restore shoulder function, a shoulder injection may be used to reduce inflammation and improve mobility.
• Lymphatic Massage: Lymphatic massage helps improve circulation and reduce swelling, making it a valuable tool for preventing complications from injuries or surgery.
• Lumbar Selective Nerve Root Block: This procedure helps prevent unnecessary surgery or prolonged pain by precisely identifying which nerve is causing lower back pain.
• Nerve Destruction by Neurolytic Agent: Addressing nerve issues proactively can significantly enhance your recovery journey, ensuring that you regain full function and mobility as quickly and safely as possible.
• Arthrocentesis: Arthrocentesis is a simple procedure that can help your doctor determine the source of your joint pain or swelling by analyzing the joint fluid, enabling prompt treatment and potentially preventing the need for more invasive procedures.
• Psychoeducation: Take control of your recovery by learning about your injury and how to best manage it through our psychoeducation sessions.
• Exercise Counseling: Prevent injuries and improve your quality of life with exercise counseling, which teaches you how to move your body safely and effectively for long-term well-being.

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. Valerie 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 proactively managing underlying spinal conditions through regular checkups and physical therapy, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing cauda equina syndrome, leading to greater peace of mind and a healthier future.
• By working with a physical therapist, a patient proactively addressed potential shoulder issues, significantly reducing the risk of a glenoid labrum tear and maintaining a pain-free, active lifestyle.
• By following a personalized exercise program and maintaining a healthy weight, a patient significantly reduced their risk of knee enthesopathy, gaining confidence in their ability to prevent future pain and 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. Valerie DPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

Dr. Valerie, a licensed Physical Therapist (PT), is a movement expert who helps improve your quality of life. She uses hands-on care, education, and exercise 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. Valerie DPT will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by a physical assessment 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.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

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

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Valerie, DPT, can help prevent injuries by performing a functional movement screen to identify potential issues like muscle imbalances or poor movement patterns. A personalized exercise program can then be created to address these issues proactively, reducing your risk of future injuries.

What is 'manual therapy'?

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

I have pain at my desk job. Can you provide ergonomic advice?

Yes, absolutely. Preventing workplace injuries is a key part of physical therapy. Dr. Valerie DPT can assess your workstation setup and provide expert ergonomic recommendations, as well as teach stretches and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy, provided by Dr. Valerie 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 various conditions, including urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and issues related to pregnancy and postpartum recovery, benefiting both men and women.

203 Fort Wade Rd Unit 130
Ponte Vedra FL 32081
Phone: (904) 564-2000

Dr. Valerie Spees, 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): 1104101138

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. Valerie 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.