Louise Andrews

Louise Andrews 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 Merritt Island, 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. Louise Andrews' 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. As a physical therapist in Merritt Island, FL, she understands the importance of proactive health management and strives to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent future issues and maintain a high quality of life. Patients should call (321) 434-5820 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Louise Andrews provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Ankle Sprains and Strains: Preventing ankle sprains and strains starts with understanding your risk factors and taking proactive steps like proper footwear and strengthening exercises to avoid injuries.
• Lumbosacral Radiculopathy: Preventing the progression of lumbosacral radiculopathy is possible by proactively addressing underlying conditions like spinal stenosis or disc herniation, thus minimizing long-term complications and improving overall well-being.
• Body Disproportion: Addressing body disproportion early can help maintain proper posture and alignment, reducing the risk of developing chronic back pain, joint issues, and other movement-related problems.
• Torn Cartilage: Understanding your risk factors for cartilage tears, such as repetitive movements or previous injuries, allows for proactive measures to strengthen joints and prevent future tears.
• Cervical Spondylolisthesis: Understanding your risk factors for cervical spondylolisthesis, such as repetitive neck strain or prior injuries, allows for preventative measures like ergonomic adjustments and targeted exercises to minimize slippage.
• Pinched Nerve in Neck: Early detection of a pinched neck nerve is crucial for preventing permanent nerve damage and chronic pain; regular self-assessments and seeking professional help at the first sign of discomfort are vital for managing this condition.
• 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.

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

• Auricular Acupuncture: Auricular acupuncture may help relieve pain and improve body awareness, promoting a proactive approach to injury prevention.
• Stretches to Prevent Injuries: Proactively prevent injuries and improve your flexibility with simple, effective stretches tailored to your needs.
• Orthovisc Injection: Orthovisc injections are a proactive step to relieve knee pain and improve joint function by supplementing natural lubrication.
• Educational Therapy: Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to manage your musculoskeletal health through educational therapy, enabling self-management and injury prevention.
• Ischial Bursa Injection: This injection targets inflammation in your buttock to reduce pain, improving your comfort levels and enabling a quicker return to normal activities.
• Soft Tissue Injections: As part of your injury prevention strategy, consider soft tissue injections to identify and address problem areas before they escalate, helping maintain optimal movement.
• Lumbar Transforaminal Injection: Consider a lumbar transforaminal injection as an early step in your lower back pain journey; it's used to pinpoint the specific cause, potentially reducing the need for extensive treatment in the future.

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. Louise Andrews 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:

• Knowing their risk factors for ankle sprains and strains, a patient proactively strengthened their ankles with exercises and wore supportive shoes, significantly reducing their chance of injury and enjoying a more active lifestyle.
• By proactively addressing spinal stenosis with regular physical therapy, a patient significantly reduced their risk of lumbosacral radiculopathy, gaining back their active lifestyle and peace of mind.
• By addressing body disproportion early, a patient proactively reduced the risk of future movement-related problems, gaining confidence in maintaining good posture and alignment.

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. Louise Andrews:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement and improving 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. Andrews will be a comprehensive evaluation. 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. For conditions like chronic back pain, rotator cuff tears, or knee osteoarthritis, physical therapy can be as effective as surgery, acting as a powerful, non-invasive first step to reduce pain and improve function, potentially preventing the need for more invasive procedures.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach used by physical therapists like Dr. Andrews 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 exercises.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Louise Andrews' physical therapy services proactively prevent injuries by identifying muscle imbalances, weakness, or poor movement patterns through a functional movement screen. A personalized exercise program is then created to correct these issues, strengthening your body and reducing your risk of future problems.

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

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

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Andrews 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.

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 is a tool to accelerate your recovery.

220 S Courtenay Pkwy Ste B
Merritt Island FL 32952
Phone: (321) 434-5820

Louise Andrews 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): 1912249525

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. Louise Andrews 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.