Shawna McDowell, PT

Shawna McDowell, PT 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 Jacksonville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under 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. Shawna PT is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her focus on prevention extends beyond addressing immediate concerns, emphasizing the importance of proactive strategies to maintain optimal physical function and overall well-being. This includes creating personalized plans, coordinating screenings, and ensuring continuity of care to help patients achieve and maintain their health goals. Patients should call (904) 757-1782 to confirm if Dr. Shawna PT is currently accepting new patients.

Shawna McDowell, PT is a physical therapist in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to providing the highest quality Physical Therapy care. She understands that proactive health management is key to long-term well-being, and she actively engages patients in their own care journey. Dr. Shawna PT provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Patellar Tendonitis: Preventing the progression of patellar tendonitis involves consistent adherence to your physical therapist's recommendations and self-management strategies to avoid lasting knee issues.
• Prosthetic Joint Mechanical Failure: Early detection of problems with your prosthetic joint, through scheduled appointments and self-monitoring, can prevent more significant malfunctions and the need for major surgery.
• Tibia Fracture: Proper management of a tibia fracture through physical therapy and adherence to medical advice is key to restoring full function and minimizing the risk of chronic pain or limited mobility.
• Ankle Arthroscopy: Preventing future ankle problems starts with early intervention. Ankle arthroscopy provides a less-invasive way to diagnose and treat underlying issues before they worsen.
• Gait Abnormality: Preventing falls and improving your overall health starts with recognizing and addressing any unusual changes in your walking pattern.
• Elbow Repair: Addressing elbow pain promptly with physical therapy can often resolve issues before they escalate into a condition requiring complex elbow repair procedures.
• Familial Joint Laxity: Familial joint laxity means you're genetically predisposed to loose joints, increasing your risk of injuries; early detection and proactive physical therapy can significantly reduce this risk.

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

• Exposure Therapy: As part of your injury recovery, safely and progressively re-engage with activities that caused previous pain or discomfort, preventing future setbacks.
• Trigger Point Therapy: Proactively address muscle pain and stiffness by targeting specific trigger points to restore normal movement and prevent future injuries.
• Independent Educational Evaluation: By getting an independent educational evaluation, you can proactively address any learning differences that might affect your child's physical coordination, movement, and participation in physical education and extracurricular activities.
• Impairment Rating Evaluation: This evaluation is a proactive step in your healing journey; it provides a detailed assessment of your functional abilities, informing your personalized rehabilitation program.
• Carpal Tunnel Injection: Take a proactive step towards hand health: a carpal tunnel injection can provide relief from nerve compression and improve hand strength and dexterity.
• Strengthening Exercise: Strengthening exercises help you build muscle power, preventing injuries and improving your ability to perform daily tasks.
• Strain-Counterstrain: Strain-counterstrain is a gentle hands-on technique that helps identify and relieve muscle strain, preventing future injuries and improving overall 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. Shawna 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 diligently following the physical therapist's exercise program and incorporating self-care strategies, a patient effectively reduced the risk of developing debilitating patellar tendonitis, allowing them to maintain an active lifestyle without knee pain.
• By attending regular check-ups and diligently monitoring their prosthetic joint, a patient avoided a significant procedure and maintained a high quality of life.
• Following a physical therapy program and diligently adhering to medical recommendations, a patient successfully prevented a tibia fracture, ensuring a swift recovery and preserving their active lifestyle. This proactive approach provided peace of mind, allowing them to confidently pursue their desired activities.

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. Shawna PT:

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 exercise programs 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. Shawna PT will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by a physical assessment 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. Shawna PT can perform a functional movement screen to identify muscle imbalances, weakness, or poor movement patterns that could lead to injury. A personalized exercise program can then be created to correct these issues before they cause a problem, proactively preventing future injuries.

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

Yes, pediatric physical therapists are experts in child development. Dr. Shawna PT 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.

I have pain at my desk job. Can you provide ergonomic advice?

Yes, absolutely. Preventing workplace injuries is a key part of physical therapy. Dr. Shawna PT can assess your workstation setup and provide expert ergonomic recommendations, as well as teach stretches and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

What is pelvic floor physical therapy?

Pelvic floor physical therapy, provided by Dr. Shawna PT, is a specialized treatment focusing on the muscles supporting the pelvic organs. It's a highly effective, non-surgical approach to conditions like urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, and issues related to pregnancy and postpartum recovery, benefiting both men and women.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Shawna PT's physical therapy approach for chronic back pain focuses on identifying the root cause and empowering you to prevent future episodes. We create a personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on proper posture and body mechanics. This proactive approach aims to provide lasting relief and prevent pain from returning.

320 Dundas Dr Ste 8
Jacksonville FL 32218
Phone: (904) 757-1782

Shawna McDowell, 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): 1639219942

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. Shawna 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.