Vickie Shuffitt, PT

Vickie Shuffitt, PT is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in Port Charlotte, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she's committed to helping individuals achieve optimal wellness. 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. Vickie PT's approach to care is rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine. She creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, partnering with them to develop personalized strategies for injury prevention and recovery. Her expertise in physical therapy encompasses a wide range of conditions and injuries, offering a comprehensive and proactive approach to maintaining and improving overall well-being. She is focused on preventative care, working with you to create a plan for long-term health.

Vickie Shuffitt, PT is a physical therapist in Port Charlotte, FL, committed to preventive care for all ages. Dr. Vickie PT provides consultations primarily in English. To confirm if she is currently accepting new patients, please call (941) 613-0919.

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

• Partially Dislocated Elbow (Nursemaid Elbow): Knowing the signs of a nursemaid's elbow—such as a child holding their arm still and refusing to use it—helps you seek timely care and prevent prolonged discomfort.
• Shoulder Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis: Protecting your shoulders from overuse and injury through proper exercise techniques and ergonomic adjustments is crucial for preventing tendinitis and tenosynovitis.
• Intra-Articular Fracture: An intra-articular fracture, a break within a joint, highlights the importance of proactive bone health measures to minimize fracture risk and prevent long-term joint damage.
• Spine Dislocation: Proper lifting techniques and maintaining good posture are essential in preventing spine dislocations, reducing the risk of serious injury and promoting healthy spine function.
• Joint Reconstruction Recovery: Speeding up your joint reconstruction recovery through physical therapy helps manage pain, restore mobility, and prevent future limitations by strengthening the surrounding muscles.
• Body Disproportion: Addressing body disproportion early can help maintain proper posture and alignment, reducing the risk of developing chronic back pain, joint issues, and other movement-related problems.
• Loss of Balance: Loss of balance can signal underlying health problems; proactive assessment and management reduce your risk of serious falls and associated 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. Vickie PT offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty: Intradiscal Electrothermal Annuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that helps strengthen the weakened disc in your spine, proactively preventing future back pain and disability.
• Manipulation Adjustment of Back and Neck: Protect yourself from chronic back and neck pain by undergoing a gentle manipulation and adjustment; this screening helps diagnose and address underlying joint restrictions.
• Orthopedic Procedure: Taking a proactive step towards better health, an orthopedic procedure can help repair injuries and restore your body's natural movement and function.
• Tui Na Massage: As a preventive measure, Tui Na massage promotes better circulation, reducing pain and improving joint mobility, thus lowering your risk of injuries.
• Range of Motion Testing: Protecting your joints and muscles is key – range of motion testing is a proactive step to identify stiffness and improve your overall function.
• Thoracic Facet Joint Injection: This injection helps determine if pain in your mid-back stems from your facet joints, allowing for early intervention and preventing long-term issues.
• Post-Isometric Exercise Relaxation Technique: Post-isometric relaxation is a proactive way to address muscle imbalances, promoting improved body mechanics and helping to prevent injuries before they occur.

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. Vickie 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:

• Recognizing the signs of a partially dislocated elbow, a family proactively sought physical therapy guidance, reducing the risk of prolonged discomfort and ensuring a swift recovery for their child. Knowing the early warning signs empowered the family to take preventative measures and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle for their child.
• By incorporating targeted exercises and ergonomic modifications into their daily routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of shoulder tendinitis and tenosynovitis, enjoying a pain-free and active lifestyle.
• By implementing a personalized exercise program and focusing on bone-strengthening activities, a patient significantly reduced their risk of an intra-articular fracture, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain joint 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. Vickie PT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They help improve your quality of life through hands-on care, education, and exercise, preventing injuries, managing pain, and restoring function after illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Vickie PT will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history and goals, followed by a physical evaluation of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This 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, like with chronic back pain, rotator cuff tears, or knee osteoarthritis, can be as effective as surgery in reducing pain and improving function. It's a powerful, non-invasive first step, potentially preventing 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. Vickie PT can assess your workstation setup and provide expert ergonomic recommendations, as well as teach stretches and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

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

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

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Vickie 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.

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

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

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

21281 Grayton Ter
Port Charlotte FL 33954
Phone: (941) 613-0919

Vickie Shuffitt, 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): 1750788287

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. Vickie 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.