Inside Moves

Robert Dolata believes that physical therapy is more comfortably done in the patient’s home

Robert Dolata, MSPT, owner of Deep Creek Physical Therapy, has dedicated 28 years to helping people regain their mobility, reduce pain and live independently. Practicing in Florida since 2013, he specializes in geriatric outpatient orthopedic care, focusing on the back, neck, knees, hips and shoulders.

With a career spanning multiple states, including Arkansas, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Florida — all areas with high senior populations — Dolata has developed expertise in slowing the effects of aging on the body. This broad background allows him to tailor treatments to each client’s needs, whether they are recovering from surgery or stroke, regaining balance and coordination, building strength and endurance, or seeking to prevent a loss of mobility.

“My company is unique because I come to patients’ houses, and a lot of times I see my patients in their swimming pools,” he states. “My elderly clients love the pool because, when they get in, they’re able to move a little easier. The pool can act like a Fountain of Youth.”

Dolata’s one-on-one approach offers a highly personalized path to recovery and wellness.

“A good physical therapist listens; he cares,” he remarks. “I broke away from doing physical therapy in the traditional clinic because I didn’t like seeing three or four patients at once. This is a much nicer way of providing care in the comfort of people’s homes. It’s private. They don’t have to drive somewhere, and yet it’s still covered by their insurance in most cases.”

Dancing in the water

Pool therapy provides a low-impact, buoyant environment where people can move freely and safely. Dolata uses ankle weights to ground patients as they walk, while building a little muscle in the process. Patients hang onto noodles in the deep end to do jumping jacks or cross-country skiing leg movements for a cardio workout. The pool is also ideal for doing stretches and balance activities.

“I have clients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease who love the pool for balance training,” Dolata says. “A lot of them can’t walk all that well on land without assistance, but as soon as they get in the water, it’s completely different. You’re light as a feather, so it eliminates a lot of their mobility challenges temporarily while they’re in the water with me, reducing the risk of falls or injury. And that’s where you can really work on things.”

According to Dolata, the pool acts like a giant safety net.

“When you’re in there, you can move around like a little kid — spinning, jumping, running — and if you lose your balance, well, you’re going to splash and laugh, and you’re going to get back up and try it again,” he explains. “Oftentimes, we put music on, and my patients perform dance-oriented activities in the pool. I treat 90-year-old patients who want to dance better, and the pool is the best place in the world for them to practice.”

Lasting habits

Physical therapy is not just about temporary relief; it’s about building habits that last.

“I’m helping patients learn simple techniques and modifications, which they will continue to do when I’m finished,” says Dolata. “Because I’m in their home, I get to see how they’re positioned when watching TV, where they’re sitting when they’re doing their crafts, how their computer is set up, and then I can help them change the way they do those things, if need be, so that it is better for them.”

Sessions are typically one hour, and he brings any necessary equipment, including strengthening bands, balance pads, aquatic equipment and a massage table.

Building a foundation

Dolata suggests following foundational exercises and offers tips for staying independent.

The regimen of exercises consists of:

• Prone position: Lying on the stomach for five to 10 minutes twice daily helps to stretch hip flexors, reduce back pain and allow spinal disc material to settle away from the nerves. This practice eliminates longstanding back pain for many people.

• Sphinx pose: Lying on the stomach and propping up on your forearms for two to three minutes helps to relieve back stiffness and the damage that has been done when slouching on the couch or working at the computer all day.

• Chair rise: “For seniors experiencing weakness, I like to use their own body weight as the resistance,” says Dolata. “Just lifting their body weight up and down 30 times from the chair is sufficient.”

• Balance walks: Walking forward and backward with eyes closed, or heel-to-toe as if on a tight rope across the kitchen, are best done while Dolata is present.

Here are tips for staying independent:

• Stretch daily. It is important to counteract the “C-shape” posture of sitting by actively stretching hip flexors and opening the chest.

• Use a proper sitting posture. Maintain the buttocks slightly higher than or equal to the knees, with feet flat on the floor, keeping the hips and knees at 90 degrees and eyes level with the middle of the screen, so that the neck and shoulders can remain upright rather than bent forward or hunched.

• Incorporate gentle movement throughout the day. Even small, frequent exercises like leg lifts or short walks will improve strength and balance.

• Be consistent. The hardest part is starting, but consistent effort leads to noticeable improvements.

For encouragement, Dolata tells reluctant patients, “I know you don’t want to do these exercises. But if you do them, they increase your chances of feeling better and walking better.”

Once they start seeing improvements, patients are much more apt to do the work.

Life-changing results

“My favorite part of the job is changing people’s lives, watching them turn back into their normal selves again,” says Dolata. “They regain their confidence. They often go from grumpy to smiling and excited because they’re able to do things like walk again, dance or stand to cook in the kitchen.”

Dolata’s physical therapy achieves more than rehabilitation; it restores life, independence and joy. By offering one-on-one, in-home care, he helps seniors achieve their goals, prevent injuries and reclaim comfort and mobility. Most of his business comes from word-of-mouth referrals — jubilant clients that rave about his service to their neighbors, friends and family.

“I love helping people come back to life, restoring someone’s ability to dance, golf, walk or bike again. Therapy can help so many things that you wouldn’t think we can fix. Even that pain that has been there for years.”

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Deep Creek Physical Therapy

Robert Dolata, MSPT

He serves people living in Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood, North Port and Venice.

Dolata accepts Medicare and most insurance.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 941-288-0012, email BobDolata@DeepCreekPhysicalTherapy.com or visit DeepCreekPhysicalTherapy.com.