Raquel Metzker

Raquel Metzker 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 Gainesville, 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 and is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, ensuring a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (352) 275-9694.

Dr. Raquel Metzker, a physical therapist in Gainesville, FL, understands the importance of proactive health management. Her practice prioritizes the prevention of future health issues by focusing on restoring and maintaining optimal physical function. She recognizes the vital role physical therapy plays in injury rehabilitation and long-term wellness, working closely with patients to design personalized plans that address their unique needs. Her goal is to equip patients with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Dr. Raquel Metzker provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Raquel Metzker 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. Raquel Metzker 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. Raquel Metzker 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 Spina Bifida: Managing thoracic spina bifida through proactive physical therapy helps maintain strength, flexibility, and proper spinal alignment, reducing the risk of future problems.
• Throwing Injuries: Preventing throwing injuries starts with proper warm-up routines and gradual increases in throwing intensity to avoid overuse and strain.
• Tempormandibular Joint Pain: Protecting your jaw joint health through early detection of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can prevent long-term complications like chronic headaches and jaw dysfunction.
• Facet Joint Pain: Managing facet joint pain effectively helps prevent further damage to the spine and surrounding structures, reducing the need for more extensive treatments later on.
• Prostatitis: Managing prostatitis effectively involves promptly addressing symptoms and working with your doctor to create a treatment plan, preventing potential long-term impacts on urinary and sexual health.
• Shoulder Fracture Treatment: Preventing falls and other accidents that could cause shoulder fractures is a key aspect of proactive health, safeguarding your mobility and independence.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have long-lasting effects, but early intervention and rehabilitation significantly improve recovery and prevent further complications.

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

• Prolozone® Injections: Prolozone® injections may help strengthen weakened ligaments and tendons, proactively reducing your risk of future injuries.
• Percutaneous Disc Decompression: Take a proactive step towards spinal health: percutaneous disc decompression helps identify and address issues with spinal discs before they lead to significant problems.
• Pain Rehabilitation and Management: Prevent chronic pain and disability by participating in our comprehensive pain rehabilitation program, which targets the underlying causes of your discomfort and teaches you how to manage it effectively.
• TheraLase® Cold Laser Therapy: TheraLase® Cold Laser Therapy can help you avoid long-term injury complications by stimulating your body's natural healing processes and reducing pain after an injury.
• Extremity Adjusting Procedure: Protecting your mobility is key! This procedure screens for joint restrictions in your arms or legs, enabling early intervention and preventing debilitating conditions.
• Nerve Conduction Studies: Nerve conduction studies are a valuable screening tool to identify early signs of nerve damage, allowing for timely intervention and preventing long-term disability.
• Neurostimulation: Neurostimulation is a cutting-edge approach to enhancing your body's natural healing processes, helping you recover from injuries and maintain optimal function.

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. Raquel Metzker 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 engaging in regular physical therapy exercises, a patient strengthened their back muscles and improved spinal alignment, effectively reducing the risk of future complications associated with thoracic spina bifida. This proactive approach provided the patient with peace of mind and a healthier future.
• By following a personalized warm-up routine and gradually increasing throwing intensity, a young athlete significantly reduced their risk of throwing injuries, allowing them to focus on peak performance.
• By proactively addressing early signs of TMJ pain, a patient significantly reduced the risk of developing chronic headaches and jaw dysfunction, gaining control over their oral health.

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. Raquel Metzker:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A physical therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They are movement experts who help improve your quality of life through hands-on care, education, and exercise. PTs help 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. Metzker will be a comprehensive evaluation. She will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by a physical assessment of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This 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 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, unlike acupuncture, and is a tool to accelerate your recovery.

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

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is the hands-on techniques Dr. Metzker uses to address pain and improve movement. It includes joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization, helping to reduce pain, improve movement, and prepare the body for exercise.

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

Yes, pediatric physical therapists are experts in child development. Dr. Raquel Metzker 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.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized area of physical therapy that treats the muscles of the pelvic floor. It's a highly effective, non-surgical treatment for conditions like urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and issues related to pregnancy and postpartum recovery, benefiting both men and women.

4650 NW 39th Ave Ste B
Gainesville FL 32606
Phone: (352) 275-9694

Raquel Metzker 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): 1578333522

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. Raquel Metzker 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.