EXPERT
Dr. John Lawrence Merritt
Physiatrist (Physical Medicine) | Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dr. John Merritt is a physiatrist practicing in Tampa, FL. Dr. Merritt is a medical doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As a physiatrist, Dr. Merritt focuses on a patients ability to function, and can treat multiple conditions that affect the brain, nerves, spine, bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. Dr. Merritt can diagnose and treat pain that is a result of injury, disease or a disabling condition. Physiatrists often lead a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists and physicians in a patients treatment or prevention plan.
53 years
Experience
Dr. John L. Merritt
- Tampa, FL
- Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
Spotlight Video | 5 Signs of a Serious Knee Injury | John L. Merritt, MD, FACP
Knee injuries can be painful and debilitating, often requiring immediate medical attention. Recognizing the signs of a serious knee injury is crucial in order to prevent further...
Spotlight Video | Epidural Injections for Pain Relief | John L. Merritt, MD, FACP
John L. Merritt, MD, FACP is an Established Physiatrist at RehabMed South in Tampa, Florida. Dr. John L. Merritt is an experienced physiatrist who treats patients at RehabMed...
How do I get rid of pain in between my shoulder blades?
This can only be answered after a thorough physical examination to determine the cause. Recommend seeing a physiatrist, a rehab doctor, to help you diagnose and treat the problem. READ MORE
This can only be answered after a thorough physical examination to determine the cause. Recommend seeing a physiatrist, a rehab doctor, to help you diagnose and treat the problem.
Do you need physical therapy after a broken foot?
After the fracture has healed, I would recommend evaluation by an experienced therapist to teach you custom excerises to restore motion, strength and proper body mechanics to prevent READ MORE
After the fracture has healed, I would recommend evaluation by an experienced therapist to teach you custom excerises to restore motion, strength and proper body mechanics to prevent future post-traumatic arthritis.
Is it OK to lift weights with scoliosis?
Yes. But the details are important. The degree of scoliosis, the location, as well as how much weight, and the lifting techniques. It is important to maintain good muscle strength READ MORE
Yes. But the details are important. The degree of scoliosis, the location, as well as how much weight, and the lifting techniques.
It is important to maintain good muscle strength in legs, arms and body, as weaker limbs and truck will ultimately cause more stress on the spine.
See a physiatrist, a rehab doctor, to help guide you through your rehabilitation.
Keep well.
It is important to maintain good muscle strength in legs, arms and body, as weaker limbs and truck will ultimately cause more stress on the spine.
See a physiatrist, a rehab doctor, to help guide you through your rehabilitation.
Keep well.
Can a physical therapist help with hip pain?
Yes. But only after a through examination as to what is causing the hip pain. Recommend seeing a physiatrist, a rehab doctor to arrange the right physical therapy. In the meantime, READ MORE
Yes. But only after a through examination as to what is causing the hip pain.
Recommend seeing a physiatrist, a rehab doctor to arrange the right physical therapy. In the meantime, the best help for hip pain is a hiking stick (or cane) used on the opposite side. This will reduce the hip loading by up to 30%.
Recommend seeing a physiatrist, a rehab doctor to arrange the right physical therapy. In the meantime, the best help for hip pain is a hiking stick (or cane) used on the opposite side. This will reduce the hip loading by up to 30%.
Can the brain repair itself after a stroke?
There are three phases to recovery after a stroke or other acute brain injuries. First is recovering from the acute event, which includes cell damage, edema, chemical imbalances. READ MORE
There are three phases to recovery after a stroke or other acute brain injuries. First is recovering from the acute event, which includes cell damage, edema, chemical imbalances. This is usually a few days to a week or so. Second is where cells and nerve connections are damaged, but not completely destroyed or dead. These injured cells and axons can recover, but over several weeks usually. Thirdly, other cells, nerve centers and brain regions began to take over for some lost functions. This is called brain plasticity and occurs over many months to years. This third event is the challenge of rehabilitation. It can be facilitated by trained therapies, including many, many repetitive therapeutic activities. Physical, occupational speech therapies can help select which activities are optimal. But the point is it takes a lot of work, persistence and effort to retrain new nerve connections. I see people improving two to three or more years after injury, in those who apply these techniques. Most people, however, drop out of this early and do not achieve their potential.
Thanks for the question.
John L. Merritt, MD, FACP
Thanks for the question.
John L. Merritt, MD, FACP
