Maria Santos, PT

Maria Santos, PT is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she understands the critical role of preventive medicine. 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. Please call (904) 260-0800 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Maria PT, a physical therapist in Jacksonville, FL, is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to patient care. She fosters a supportive environment where patients are empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, understanding that prevention is key. Her focus on preventive care extends beyond injury rehabilitation, encompassing the creation of personalized wellness strategies for all ages. Dr. Maria PT recognizes the importance of holistic health and proactively works with patients to identify and address potential health risks. While her primary consultation language is English, she is committed to providing exceptional care to all patients.

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

• Bunion: Proper foot care, including stretching and strengthening exercises, can reduce your risk of developing bunions and manage existing ones to lessen pain and improve movement.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis of Ankle Foot: Managing rheumatoid arthritis in your ankle and foot is key to preventing long-term complications. A proactive approach with physical therapy, including exercises and supportive strategies, is essential for preserving function and reducing pain.
• Heel Spur: By addressing the underlying causes of heel spurs with professional guidance, you can prevent recurring pain and maintain your mobility and activity levels for years to come.
• Patellar Chondromalacia: Early detection of patellar chondromalacia, often signaled by knee pain, allows for timely interventions such as physical therapy, preventing further cartilage damage and long-term disability.
• Hip Bursitis: Catching hip bursitis early with awareness of symptoms like hip pain and stiffness allows for timely physical therapy intervention, preventing long-term mobility issues and chronic pain.
• Pellegrini-Stieda Syndrome: Managing Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome, characterized by knee pain and stiffness due to calcium buildup, is crucial to prevent further limitations in movement and maintain your knee's overall health.
• Thoracic Spina Bifida: Preventive physical therapy plays a crucial role in individuals with thoracic spina bifida by enhancing muscle function, improving posture, and potentially preventing further spinal curvature.

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

• Neurostimulation: Prevent chronic pain and limited mobility by utilizing neurostimulation, a method that targets the nervous system to improve function and reduce pain.
• Lymphatic Massage: Lymphatic massage is a gentle technique that can help support your body's natural drainage system, reducing swelling and promoting overall well-being.
• Stroke Rehabilitation: Stroke rehabilitation helps you rebuild lost skills and abilities, preventing further complications and improving your long-term outlook after a stroke.
• Muscle-Testing Electrodiagnosis With Chronaximetry: Start your journey to improved movement and function with muscle-testing electrodiagnosis; this helps detect problems with nerve and muscle communication, enabling early intervention and preventing more significant impairments.
• Pain Management Through Physical Therapy: Take control of your pain and improve your mobility with physical therapy, a proactive step towards a healthier, more active life.
• Dry Needling: Dry needling is a technique used to relieve muscle tension and pain by stimulating specific trigger points, helping you proactively manage pain and improve movement.
• Piriformis Injection: For individuals experiencing persistent buttock or leg pain, a piriformis injection offers a targeted approach to diagnosis and pain management, helping restore function and prevent long-term issues.

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. Maria 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:

• Following a physical therapist's guidance on stretching and strengthening exercises, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing bunions and experienced less pain, improving their overall foot health.
• By diligently following a physical therapy program, a patient successfully managed rheumatoid arthritis in their ankle and foot, maintaining mobility and reducing pain, paving the way for a more active and comfortable life.
• By addressing the underlying causes of heel pain with a physical therapist's guidance, a patient prevented recurring pain and maintained their active lifestyle. This proactive approach ensured long-term mobility and reduced the risk of future heel spur issues.

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. Maria PT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

Dr. Maria PT is a licensed physical therapist, a movement expert who helps improve your quality of life. She provides hands-on care, education, and exercises 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. Maria 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 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, different from acupuncture, and can be a valuable tool to accelerate your recovery.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Maria 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 ends.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Maria PT's physical therapy for chronic back pain focuses on preventing future episodes, not just treating the current pain. We'll identify the root cause and create a personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on posture and body mechanics to empower you to manage your back health long-term.

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

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," strengthens muscles, which can speed recovery after surgery. Post-operative physical therapy, starting soon after surgery, is critical to restore range of motion, build strength, and ensure the best possible outcome for your new joint.

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Dr. Maria PT and her team of skilled therapists use specific, repetitive exercises to help the brain rewire itself after a stroke. This process, called neuroplasticity, helps regain lost function, improve walking, balance, and strength, and ultimately maximize independence and prevent falls.

10790 Old Saint Augustine Rd
Jacksonville FL 32257
Phone: (904) 260-0800

Maria Santos, 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): 1811139751

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. Maria 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.