Minal Saraf

Minal Saraf 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 The Ear, Nose, Throat & Plastic Surgery Associates in Winter Park, 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. Minal Saraf is a physical therapist in Winter Park, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. Her practice emphasizes creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is dedicated to helping you understand and achieve your health goals through proactive care. Please call (407) 644-4883 to confirm if Dr. Minal Saraf is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Saraf provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Spine Dislocation: A spine dislocation, where your vertebrae are out of alignment, can be prevented through regular posture checks and exercises that strengthen your core and back muscles.
• Toe Sprain: A toe sprain, often caused by awkward movements or impact, can be prevented with proper footwear and exercises strengthening foot muscles, ensuring early intervention avoids long-term mobility issues.
• Traumatic Injuries: Proper rehabilitation following a traumatic injury helps restore normal movement, reduces pain and promotes faster healing, preventing future limitations and complications.
• Pellegrini-Stieda Syndrome: Preventing knee injuries is key to reducing your risk of developing Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome, a condition where calcium deposits form near the kneecap, leading to pain and stiffness.
• Jaw Fracture: Protecting your jaw through safety measures like wearing a helmet during activities with a risk of falls can significantly reduce your chances of suffering a fracture.
• Hemophilic Arthropathy: Hemophilic arthropathy, joint damage from hemophilia, can be significantly slowed with a combination of proper hemophilia care and a proactive approach with physical therapy.
• Rotator Cuff Tear: Early detection of a rotator cuff tear is crucial for minimizing long-term damage and restoring full shoulder function, highlighting the importance of preventive checkups.

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

• Joint Fluid Test: A joint fluid test helps your physical therapist assess the health of your joint and identify potential problems early, preventing more serious issues down the line.
• Shock Wave Therapy: Investing in your long-term health, shock wave therapy addresses the root cause of musculoskeletal pain, preventing disability and improving your quality of life.
• Arthritic Rehabilitation: Arthritic rehabilitation helps you regain movement and reduce pain through tailored exercises and therapies, proactively managing your arthritis and improving your quality of life.
• Synvisc® Injection: Synvisc® injections offer a proactive approach to osteoarthritis management by replenishing joint fluid and reducing friction.
• Non-Opiate Pain Management: Prioritize your well-being and reduce your reliance on opioids with comprehensive, non-opiate pain management techniques designed to improve your quality of life.
• Sports Physical Examination: A sports physical exam helps identify potential health risks that could sideline you before they impact your athletic performance.
• Intrathecal Drug Delivery System Insertion: This procedure involves inserting a small pump to deliver pain medication directly to your spinal cord, a proactive step to significantly reduce debilitating pain and enhance your mobility.

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. Minal Saraf 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 consistently practicing posture exercises and strengthening core muscles, a patient significantly reduced their risk of spine dislocation, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain good spinal health.
• By strengthening foot muscles through targeted exercises, a patient proactively reduced their risk of toe sprains, ensuring they could comfortably enjoy their active lifestyle.
• Following a skiing accident, a patient diligently followed a physical therapy program, restoring full range of motion and significantly reducing the risk of future limitations. This proactive approach ensured a swift and complete recovery, allowing them to confidently resume 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. Minal Saraf:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement. They help improve your quality of life by providing 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. Saraf will be a comprehensive evaluation. 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.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Minal Saraf's physical therapy helps prevent injuries by identifying muscle imbalances, weakness, or poor movement patterns through a functional movement screen. A personalized exercise program is then created to address these issues proactively, reducing the risk of future problems.

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in stroke recovery by guiding patients through specific exercises that promote neuroplasticity, helping the brain rewire itself. Therapists work to improve walking, balance, and strength, ultimately maximizing independence and reducing fall risk. This personalized approach helps patients regain lost function and improve their overall quality of life.

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

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Minal Saraf 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, preventing future falls.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Saraf's physical therapy approach focuses on preventing future back pain episodes by identifying the root cause. A personalized program will include core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on proper posture and body mechanics. This empowers patients to manage their pain and maintain long-term spinal health.

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

The Ear, Nose, Throat & Plastic Surgery Associates
133 Benmore Dr Ste 100
Winter Park FL 32792
Phone: (407) 644-4883

Minal Saraf 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): 1538691662

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. Minal Saraf 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.