Joanna Baker

Joanna Baker is a Physical Therapist registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing at her clinic in Sarasota, FL, and dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. She practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), and is committed to partnering with patients of all ages to create personalized plans for optimal wellness. 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. Joanna Baker's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine. She fosters a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health journey. As a physical therapist in Sarasota, FL, she understands the importance of proactive health management. Patients should call (941) 926-2474 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Joanna Baker provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Closed Hip Fracture Treatment: Preventive care measures like regular exercise and adequate calcium intake reduce your risk of hip fractures, ensuring better overall bone health and reducing the need for extensive treatment.
• Wrist Osteophyte: Understanding risk factors for wrist osteophytes, such as repetitive actions, enables you to implement preventative measures and maintain healthy wrist function.
• Rotator Cuff Tendinosis: Managing rotator cuff tendinosis early with physical therapy and targeted exercises can prevent it from progressing to more severe conditions requiring surgery or prolonged rehabilitation.
• Shoulder Bursitis: Understanding your risk factors for shoulder bursitis—such as repetitive overhead activities or past injuries—allows you to take preventive steps and reduce your chances of developing this painful condition.
• 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.
• Spondylosis Cervical Without Myelopathy: Spondylosis cervical without myelopathy means you have age-related wear and tear in your neck, but it's not yet affecting your spinal cord; early attention to posture and strengthening exercises can prevent it from worsening.
• Lateral Epicondylitis: Protecting yourself from tennis elbow starts with understanding your risk factors, like overuse, and taking steps to modify activities or strengthen supporting muscles to prevent pain and dysfunction.

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

• McKenzie Method: Proactively address your neck or back pain with the McKenzie Method, which helps determine the cause of your discomfort and provides you with targeted exercises to alleviate pain and prevent recurrence.
• NormaTec Compression Treatment: Experience faster recovery and improved athletic performance by incorporating NormaTec Compression Therapy into your routine; it aids in reducing muscle stiffness and improving flexibility, preventing future setbacks.
• Percutaneous Tenotomy: To prevent long-term disability from tendon problems, percutaneous tenotomy is a procedure that can help release scar tissue and improve flexibility, allowing for a quicker recovery.
• Acupuncture: Proactively address pain and stiffness with acupuncture, a therapy that can help prevent future injuries by restoring balance and promoting natural healing.
• Impairment Rating Evaluation: This evaluation is a proactive step in your healing journey; it provides a detailed assessment of your functional abilities, informing your personalized rehabilitation program.
• Spirometry: Spirometry is a simple, painless test that measures your lung function, helping identify potential breathing problems early on before they significantly impact your daily activities.
• Mobility Exercise: Mobility exercises are proactive steps to improve your range of motion, preventing stiffness and future injuries.

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. Joanna Baker 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 strength training and calcium-rich foods into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a closed hip fracture, enjoying greater mobility and peace of mind.
• By understanding repetitive movements and implementing preventive strategies, a patient successfully mitigated the risk of wrist osteophytes, maintaining full range of motion and preventing future discomfort.
• By following a tailored physical therapy program, a patient successfully managed early signs of rotator cuff tendinosis, preventing further pain and significantly reducing the need for more extensive treatment.

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. Joanna Baker:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement and helps improve your quality of life. They use hands-on care, education, and exercise to prevent injuries, manage pain, and restore function after illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Joanna Baker will be a comprehensive assessment. We will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by 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 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 technique where a physical therapist inserts a thin needle into a muscle "trigger point" to release tension and relieve pain. It's based on Western anatomy and physiology, differing from acupuncture, and can be a helpful tool to accelerate your recovery.

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. Joanna Baker can assess your workstation setup and provide expert ergonomic recommendations, as well as teach stretches and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

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

Yes, Dr. Joanna Baker's pediatric physical therapists are experts in child development. They 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. Joanna Baker's physical therapy approach focuses on preventing future back pain episodes. She will identify the root cause of your pain and create a personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on proper posture and body mechanics. This empowers you to manage your pain long-term.

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Dr. Baker's physical therapy program focuses on restoring neurological function after a stroke. Through specific, repetitive exercises, we help retrain the brain (neuroplasticity) to regain lost abilities. Our goal is to improve walking, balance, and strength, ultimately maximizing independence and reducing the risk of falls.

4370 S Tamiami Trl Ste 241
Sarasota FL 34231
Phone: (941) 926-2474

Joanna Baker 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): 1124175484

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. Joanna Baker 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.