Nicole Cookson, PT

Nicole Cookson, PT is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL, and is 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 serves as a vital 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. Dr. Nicole PT is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages.

As a physical therapist in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Nicole PT is dedicated to providing comprehensive physical therapy services, focusing on preventive strategies and proactive health management. Her approach emphasizes creating personalized plans that address individual needs and goals, with a focus on restoring function and preventing future issues. Patients should call (904) 953-2000 to confirm if Dr. Nicole PT is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Nicole PT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Thoracic Spine Fracture: Maintaining good posture and core strength helps prevent thoracic spine fractures and is part of a holistic approach to protecting your back and overall well-being.
• Upper Back Pain: Don't let upper back pain sideline you! Early intervention with physical therapy can restore movement and function, preventing long-term disability.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis of Hand: Rheumatoid arthritis in the hands can be effectively managed with early intervention, including exercise and lifestyle modifications, preventing significant disability later on.
• Upper Extremity Disorders: Early detection of upper extremity problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or rotator cuff injuries, is crucial to prevent long-term disability and improve your quality of life.
• Benign Positional Vertigo: Proactive care for BPV, including vestibular rehabilitation exercises, can help prevent recurrent episodes and maintain your independence and mobility.
• Knee Injuries: Protecting your knees through proactive measures like strengthening exercises and proper footwear can significantly reduce your risk of injury and keep you moving freely.
• Excision of Tibia or Fibula: Excision of the tibia or fibula, while sometimes necessary, highlights the importance of early detection and management of bone fractures or infections to prevent more extensive surgical interventions.

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

• Disability Evaluation: A disability evaluation helps identify physical limitations and develop a personalized plan to improve your movement and function.
• Joint Drainage: Joint drainage helps identify and remove excess fluid from your joints, reducing pain and stiffness and preventing further damage.
• Thoracic Facet Joint Injection: This procedure serves as a proactive diagnostic tool to identify the source of your mid-back pain and guide you toward targeted relief and improved movement.
• Exposure Therapy: As part of your injury recovery, safely and progressively re-engage with activities that caused previous pain or discomfort, preventing future setbacks.
• Gonstead Technique: Protect your body's natural movement with the Gonstead Technique; it's a precise spinal analysis method used to detect subtle subluxations that may lead to discomfort and dysfunction.
• NeuroKinetic Therapy®: NeuroKinetic Therapy® helps determine if subtle muscle imbalances are contributing to your pain or limiting your mobility, facilitating early diagnosis and targeted treatment.
• Functional Movement Screening: Proactively assess your body's movement patterns with a functional movement screen to uncover weaknesses and prevent future injuries, enabling you to stay active and healthy.

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. Nicole 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 strengthening their core and improving posture, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a thoracic spine fracture, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
• By addressing upper back pain early through targeted physical therapy exercises, a patient regained full range of motion and prevented further discomfort, allowing them to return to their favorite activities.
• Following a physical therapist's guidance on exercises and lifestyle modifications, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in their hands, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy, 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. Nicole PT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They use hands-on care, education, and exercise 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. Nicole PT will be a comprehensive assessment. We will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by 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.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Nicole PT can perform a functional movement screen to identify potential injury risks, such as muscle imbalances or poor movement patterns. A personalized exercise program can then be created to address these issues proactively, preventing future problems.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is the hands-on techniques Dr. Nicole PT uses, including joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization. It helps reduce pain, improve movement, and prepare your body for therapeutic exercise.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Nicole PT's home exercise program is a personalized set of exercises designed to help you continue progress between sessions and prevent your condition from returning after therapy is complete. It's a vital part of your recovery journey.

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

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Nicole PT can help. Many physical therapists are specially trained in vestibular rehabilitation and can treat common causes of dizziness, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), with specific head maneuvers. They can also improve balance through targeted exercises to prevent falls.

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

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," helps strengthen muscles before surgery, speeding recovery. Post-operative physical therapy is critical, starting soon after surgery, to restore range of motion, build strength, and ensure the best possible outcome from your new joint.

4500 San Pablo Rd S
Jacksonville FL 32224
Phone: (904) 953-2000

Nicole Cookson, 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): 1477849750

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. Nicole 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.