Sarah Patejak

Sarah Patejak 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 Tampa, 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. Sarah Patejak's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She is a physical therapist in Tampa, FL, committed to helping you achieve and maintain your best possible physical health through proactive strategies. To confirm if Dr. Patejak is currently accepting new patients, please call (310) 562-6682. Dr. Sarah Patejak provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Hip Pain: Catching hip pain early can prevent it from becoming a chronic problem that limits your mobility and quality of life.
• Non-Traumatic Rupture of Achilles Tendon: Preventing a non-traumatic Achilles tendon rupture involves proactive steps like strengthening exercises, appropriate footwear, and maintaining a healthy weight to lessen stress on your tendons.
• Foot and Ankle Injuries: Early detection of foot and ankle problems, even minor ones, is key to preventing more serious issues and ensuring you maintain your mobility.
• Tempormandibular Joint Pain: Understanding TMJ pain risk factors, such as teeth grinding, helps you take proactive steps to manage them and avoid future pain and limited jaw movement.
• Facet Joint Pain: Understanding your risk factors for facet joint pain—such as poor posture or previous injuries—allows for proactive steps to prevent or mitigate its development.
• Broken Arm: Following a physical therapist's rehabilitation plan after a broken arm is essential to restoring full strength and function to your arm, preventing chronic pain and long-term disability.
• Excision of Metacarpal and Carpal: Early detection of metacarpal and carpal issues, through regular checkups and preventative strategies, can help avoid the need for surgery like excision.

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

• Tendon and Bursa Injection: To prevent chronic pain and stiffness, a tendon and bursa injection can pinpoint the source of your discomfort and provide targeted relief.
• Joint Fluid Therapy: As part of your preventative care plan, consider joint fluid therapy to assess the health of your joints and detect potential problems early, maintaining optimal function.
• Spine and Sports Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: Protect your body from future pain and limitations with spine and sports musculoskeletal rehabilitation, which screens for musculoskeletal problems and addresses them early on.
• EMG (Electromyography): Ensure you're moving optimally with an EMG—a valuable screening tool to identify and address underlying muscle or nerve issues affecting your strength and function.
• Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT): Take a proactive step towards better health with OMT—a gentle yet effective treatment that can help prevent injuries by restoring proper joint movement and reducing muscle tension.
• Lymphedema Therapy: Proactive lymphedema therapy can help improve your quality of life by reducing swelling and preventing long-term disability.
• Injection Therapy: Injection therapy can help proactively manage pain and inflammation, allowing you to stay active and prevent further injury.

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. Sarah Patejak 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 addressing potential hip pain early through a personalized exercise program, a patient significantly reduced their risk of chronic hip issues, empowering them to enjoy a more active lifestyle.
• Following a physical therapist's guidance on strengthening exercises and proper footwear, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a non-traumatic Achilles tendon rupture, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain an active lifestyle.
• By diligently addressing minor foot pain early on, a patient significantly reduced their risk of developing more serious ankle injuries, allowing them to maintain 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. Sarah Patejak:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement and improving quality of life. They provide 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. Patejak 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 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.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is the hands-on techniques Dr. Patejak uses to address pain and improve movement. This includes joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization, which help restore joint motion, release muscle tension, and prepare the body for exercise. These techniques can reduce pain and improve your overall function.

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

Prehab exercises strengthen muscles before surgery, speeding recovery. Post-operative physical therapy is crucial, starting soon after surgery, to restore range of motion, rebuild strength, and optimize your new joint's function.

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

Yes, pediatric physical therapists are experts in child development. Dr. Patejak 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 to meet their milestones.

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

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Patejak can help. Many physical therapists are specially trained in vestibular rehabilitation and can treat common causes of dizziness, like BPPV, with specific head maneuvers. They can also improve balance through targeted exercises to prevent falls.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

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

13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Tampa FL 33612
Phone: (310) 562-6682

Sarah Patejak 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): 1386310555

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. Sarah Patejak 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.