Judy Michalski-Kuehnel, PT

Judy Michalski-Kuehnel, PT 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 Ocoee, 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 and is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Dr. Judy PT is a physical therapist in Ocoee, FL, dedicated to helping individuals of all ages achieve and maintain optimal physical function. Her approach emphasizes the importance of proactive preventive care, working closely with patients to develop personalized strategies for injury prevention, wellness, and ongoing health maintenance. Patients seeking care should call (407) 292-2156 to confirm if Dr. Judy PT is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Judy PT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Enthesopathy of Knee (incl. Bursitis of Knee): Early detection of knee enthesopathy and bursitis is crucial to prevent long-term disability and joint damage; regular physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk.
• Coccyx or Sacrum Fracture: Managing a coccyx or sacrum fracture promptly minimizes the risk of chronic pain and functional limitations later, making early detection through awareness of symptoms and seeking medical attention paramount.
• Lumbar Herniated Disc: Managing a lumbar herniated disc effectively through physical therapy minimizes the risk of further nerve damage and helps you return to your normal activities sooner, preventing chronic pain.
• Intervertebral Disc Disease: By focusing on maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture, and engaging in regular physical activity, you can reduce your risk of developing intervertebral disc disease and improve your overall spinal health.
• Achilles Tendon Contracture: By proactively engaging in regular calf stretches and wearing supportive footwear, you can lessen the risk of developing an Achilles tendon contracture and maintain healthy ankle mobility.
• Non-Unions and Malunions of Fractures: Addressing and preventing non-unions and malunions focuses on ensuring optimal bone healing, minimizing the need for additional surgeries, and promoting healthy, stable joints to maintain mobility.
• Hand Injury: Understanding the risk factors for hand injuries, such as repetitive movements or forceful exertions, allows you to implement preventative strategies and avoid future problems.

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

• Manipulation Adjustment of Back and Neck: Invest in your long-term well-being by having your back and neck manipulated and adjusted; this assessment helps detect and correct issues that can lead to mobility limitations.
• Psychoeducation: Improve your physical therapy journey by learning effective techniques for managing pain and stress through our tailored psychoeducation approach.
• Active Release Technique: Proactively maintain your physical well-being with ART, a method that addresses the root causes of muscle and joint discomfort, ensuring optimal function and minimizing future problems.
• Exposure Therapy: As part of your injury recovery, safely and progressively re-engage with activities that caused previous pain or discomfort, preventing future setbacks.
• Therapeutic Massage: Therapeutic massage is a proactive approach to managing pain and improving your range of motion, potentially preventing more significant problems down the road.
• Soft Tissue Massage: Soft tissue massage can help identify areas of muscle imbalance or restriction, allowing for early intervention and prevention of potential problems.
• Joint Injection: To proactively address joint pain and stiffness, a joint injection can provide temporary pain relief while we determine the best long-term treatment strategy.

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. Judy PT 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 participating in a proactive physical therapy program, a patient significantly reduced their risk of knee enthesopathy and bursitis, ensuring continued comfortable movement and an active lifestyle.
• Knowing the early warning signs of coccyx or sacrum fracture, a patient proactively sought physical therapy, significantly reducing the risk of long-term pain and mobility limitations, gaining valuable peace of mind.
• By proactively addressing their back pain with a tailored physical therapy program, a patient significantly reduced the risk of a lumbar herniated disc, ensuring a pain-free return to their active lifestyle.

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. Judy PT:

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 provide 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. Judy PT 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 evaluation 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 the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Judy PT'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.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

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

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 different from acupuncture, as it's based on Western anatomy and physiology, not traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling can be a valuable tool to accelerate your recovery.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach used by Dr. Judy PT to address pain and improve movement. It involves techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization to restore joint motion and reduce muscle tension. This prepares the body for therapeutic exercise and promotes healing.

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

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," strengthens muscles and improves your body's readiness for surgery, accelerating recovery. Post-operative physical therapy is crucial, starting soon after surgery, to restore range of motion, rebuild strength, and maximize your new joint's function. Our experienced physical therapists will guide you through both phases to achieve the best possible outcome.

1555 Boren Dr
Ocoee FL 34761
Phone: (407) 292-2156

Judy Michalski-Kuehnel, PT 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): 1578858809

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. Judy PT 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.