Kristin Westwood, RPT

Kristin Westwood, RPT is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in Miami, FL, 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 is a trusted partner in preventive health. 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. Kristin RPT is a physical therapist in Miami, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to care. She fosters a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her practice emphasizes proactive strategies for maintaining well-being, understanding that prevention is often the most effective and sustainable route to optimal health. Patients should call (305) 932-0560 to confirm if Dr. Kristin RPT is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Kristin RPT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Protecting your joints from the damaging effects of rheumatoid arthritis starts with understanding your risk and seeking early medical attention, enabling physical therapists to help preserve your mobility.
• Hemophilic Arthropathy: Hemophilic arthropathy is joint damage caused by hemophilia, and early detection and proactive physical therapy can help prevent serious joint problems later in life.
• Humerus Fracture: Preventing secondary fractures in the arm requires understanding your risk factors like osteoporosis and taking proactive steps to mitigate them through lifestyle changes and medication, if necessary.
• Chest Wall Pain Syndrome: Early detection of chest wall pain is crucial, as prompt physical therapy can prevent the condition from becoming chronic and debilitating.
• Coccyx Fracture: Managing a coccyx fracture effectively, through physical therapy and pain management, is vital for preventing lasting discomfort and functional limitations, ensuring a quicker return to your normal activities.
• Arthritis of the Hand: Early detection and proactive management of hand arthritis can significantly slow its progression and reduce pain and disability.
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries: Proper training techniques and injury prevention strategies, including effective warm-ups and conditioning, are vital for safeguarding your ACL and maintaining active mobility.

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

• Acupuncture: Enhance your body's natural healing processes and prevent limitations in mobility by incorporating acupuncture into your wellness routine; this therapy can address many musculoskeletal issues.
• Epidural Injection: Epidural injections can help prevent further nerve damage by targeting the source of pain in your spine, allowing you to proactively restore your movement and function.
• Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Proactively prevent long-term limitations by choosing post-surgical rehabilitation; it helps you rebuild strength, flexibility, and function after your procedure.
• Independent Educational Evaluation: By getting an independent educational evaluation, you can proactively address any learning differences that might affect your child's physical coordination, movement, and participation in physical education and extracurricular activities.
• Rossitor System for Pain Relief: Proactively address your pain with the Rossitor System; it helps pinpoint the source of your discomfort, enabling targeted treatment for faster recovery and lasting relief.
• Electrical Nerve Stimulation: As part of your injury rehabilitation, electrical nerve stimulation can help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and prevent lasting limitations in your movement.
• Rehabilitation Therapy: Invest in your future mobility by proactively seeking rehabilitation therapy to address movement limitations and prevent further injury.

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. Kristin RPT 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 understanding their rheumatoid arthritis risk factors and engaging in a proactive physical therapy program, a patient was able to maintain joint health and preserve mobility, leading to greater confidence and peace of mind.
• By proactively engaging in physical therapy and following a personalized exercise program, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing hemophilic arthropathy, ensuring a healthier future for their joints.
• By understanding their osteoporosis risk factors and implementing a proactive physical therapy plan, a patient significantly reduced the chance of a humerus fracture, gaining valuable peace of mind and confidence in their future mobility.

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. Kristin RPT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT), like Dr. Kristin, is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They use hands-on care, education, and exercises to improve quality of life, 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. Kristin will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history and goals, then perform a thorough physical evaluation of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This evaluation is the starting point for creating a 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 just 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.

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

Yes, pediatric physical therapists like Dr. Kristin are experts in child development. She 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 to reach their milestones.

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. Kristin RPT can strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and significantly reduce pain, helping to prevent disability and maintain an active life.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Kristin RPT can perform a functional movement screen to identify muscle imbalances, weakness, or poor movement patterns that could lead to injury. A personalized exercise program can then be created to correct these issues before they cause a problem, proactively preventing future injuries.

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

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. Unlike acupuncture, dry needling is based on Western anatomy and physiology, and is a tool to accelerate your recovery.

21000 NE 28th Ave Ste 100
Miami FL 33180
Phone: (305) 932-0560

Kristin Westwood, RPT 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): 1982891123

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. Kristin RPT 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.