Sheri Hazelbaker Sofiak

Sheri Hazelbaker Sofiak is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in New Smyrna Beach, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she understands that 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. Sheri Sofiak is a physical therapist in New Smyrna Beach, 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 working with you to develop personalized strategies for preventing future injuries and maintaining peak physical function. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (386) 409-6811. Dr. Sheri Sofiak provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Accessory Nerve Disorder: Understanding the risk factors for accessory nerve disorders, like repetitive head and neck movements, allows for proactive strategies to maintain your neck's health and prevent problems.
• Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Early recognition of neck pain or weakness is crucial, as it may signal a cervical spinal cord injury and prompt timely intervention to prevent further damage.
• Torn Cartilage: Managing a torn cartilage effectively through physical therapy helps prevent further injury and the need for surgery, promoting a faster recovery and return to your normal activities.
• Hip Socket Injuries: Hip socket injuries can severely limit your movement and quality of life, but preventative measures like strengthening exercises and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly lower your risk.
• Upper Extremity Disorders: Regular checkups with a healthcare provider and proactive management of risk factors like repetitive movements can help you avoid or minimize the impact of upper extremity issues.
• Thoracic Stenosis: Regular check-ups and awareness of early symptoms can help manage thoracic stenosis and prevent the condition from progressing into significant nerve compression, pain, and functional limitations.
• Neck Pain: Simple lifestyle changes and regular neck stretches can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic neck pain, keeping you active and pain-free.

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

• Percutaneous Tenotomy: As part of your injury rehabilitation plan, percutaneous tenotomy can help address underlying tendon issues, promoting healing and restoring full function to your affected area.
• Wheelchair Evaluation: A wheelchair evaluation helps determine the best wheelchair type and features to support your mobility and prevent further injuries or discomfort.
• Muscle-Testing Electrodiagnosis With Chronaximetry: Start your journey to improved movement and function with muscle-testing electrodiagnosis; this helps detect problems with nerve and muscle communication, enabling early intervention and preventing more significant impairments.
• Myofascial Release Therapy: Myofascial release therapy can be a valuable tool in preventing future injuries by addressing muscle imbalances and improving tissue health before pain develops.
• Kinesio Taping Method: Kinesio taping offers a proactive approach to pain management by providing support and reducing strain on muscles and joints.
• Behavior Management: We'll work with you to establish healthy movement patterns and lifestyle choices to reduce your risk of future injuries.
• Pain Management Through Physical Therapy: Proactively address pain and prevent future problems by seeking physical therapy; it helps identify the root cause and guides you toward lasting relief.

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. Sheri Sofiak 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 understanding the risks of repetitive head and neck movements, a patient developed proactive strategies to maintain their neck's health, preventing future problems and enjoying a pain-free lifestyle.
• By proactively addressing early signs of neck pain and weakness, a patient significantly reduced their risk of a cervical spinal cord injury, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• By proactively addressing potential cartilage issues with physical therapy, a patient successfully avoided surgery and returned to their favorite activities sooner than anticipated. This proactive approach ensured a quicker recovery and maintained 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. Sheri Sofiak:

What is a Physical Therapist?

Dr. Sheri Sofiak and her team are licensed physical therapists (PTs) who are movement experts. They help improve your quality of life through hands-on care, education, and prescribed exercise 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. Sofiak will be a comprehensive evaluation. She will discuss your medical history and goals, then perform a physical evaluation of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This will be 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.

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. Sheri Sofiak can assess your workstation setup and provide expert ergonomic recommendations, as well as teach stretches and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

What is the goal of a home exercise program?

Dr. Sofiak'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 the problem from returning after therapy is complete.

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

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," strengthens muscles to speed recovery after joint replacement surgery. Post-operative physical therapy is crucial, starting soon after surgery, to restore range of motion, build strength, and maximize the new joint's function. Dr. Sofiak and her team will guide you through both phases for the best possible outcome.

How can physical therapy help after a stroke?

Physical therapy plays a vital role in stroke recovery by using targeted exercises to stimulate neuroplasticity, helping the brain rewire itself. Our therapists design specific, repetitive exercises to improve walking, balance, and strength, maximizing independence and reducing the risk of falls. This leads to significant improvements in overall function and quality of life.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Sofiak'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 correct these issues, proactively strengthening your body and reducing your risk of future problems.

125 Florida Memorial Pkwy
New Smyrna Beach FL 32168
Phone: (386) 409-6811

Sheri Hazelbaker Sofiak 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): 1407475106

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. Sheri Sofiak 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.