Dr. Adrian Cristian, MD is a Physical Therapist specializing in comprehensive rehabilitative care for older adults at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute in Miami, FL. He is a dedicated partner in the health journeys of older adults (65+) and those experiencing age-related health challenges, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Physical Therapists are key members of the senior care team, specializing in restoring movement and function for older adults with complex conditions like post-surgical rehabilitation, neurological disorders, and chronic pain, working collaboratively with physicians and other specialists to achieve optimal health and independence. Dr. Cristian's practice is focused on delivering compassionate, high-quality care, and he is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (786) 345-7208 to schedule an appointment.
With over 30 years of dedicated experience in rehabilitative care, Dr. Cristian brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from City University Of New York School Of Medicine and completed a residency in Physical Therapies, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of older adults. He is Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation by the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Cristian is fluent in Romanian and also offers consultations in Spanish. His approach to patient care is to design comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans that help maximize patients' independence in activities of daily living and improve their quality of life. He is also a physiatrist and the chief of cancer rehabilitation at Miami Cancer Institute, with expertise in the treatment of physical impairments affecting the neurologic, musculoskeletal, and lymphatic systems of persons undergoing cancer treatment and cancer survivors. Miami Cancer Institute's multidisciplinary approach ensures patients receive a personalized treatment plan.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Adrian Cristian is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Cristian is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive rehabilitative care tailored to each individual's unique needs. He collaborates closely with physicians and specialists to develop personalized plans, focusing on restoring movement and function for those facing post-surgical recovery, neurological challenges, or chronic pain. His approach prioritizes not only physical restoration but also the emotional well-being of his patients and their families, ensuring a supportive and empowering experience throughout their care.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Adrian Cristian can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Dimension Health
Global Excel Insurance
Medica
Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP)
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Blue Select
- BlueDental Choice
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Care (Humana)
- Choice Plus
- ChoiceCare Network
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- Great West Healthcare-Cigna
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care PPO
- HealthyBlue 2.0
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- Open Access Plus
- Preferred
- Select
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
- Workers Compensation
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Adrian Cristian provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Osteoarthritis of Hand or Wrist: Experiencing pain and stiffness in your hands or wrists due to osteoarthritis is common, but with tailored physical therapy and possibly medication, you can find effective relief and continue enjoying your favorite hobbies and daily activities.
- Stress Fracture of Foot: Experiencing foot pain that is persistent and worsening? It may be a stress fracture a tiny break in a foot bone. Physical therapy offers personalized treatment, including exercises, and helps restore your comfortable movement and ability to walk.
- Brachial Plexus Palsy: Damage to the nerves in your shoulder can lead to brachial plexus palsy, resulting in arm weakness or numbness; however, specialized therapies like physical and occupational therapy can significantly improve strength and mobility.
- Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis (Tennis and Golf Elbow): Tennis and golf elbow, or epicondylitis, are painful conditions affecting the elbow, often eased with physical therapy exercises that gently strengthen and stretch the arm and forearm muscles.
- Enthesopathy of Hip (incl. Trochanteric Bursitis): Dealing with hip pain linked to enthesopathy (tendon inflammation near the hip) and/or bursitis? A combination of medical management and personalized physical therapy can significantly alleviate pain, improve your mobility, and boost your overall quality of life.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease: Intervertebral disc disease, a common source of back pain, can be addressed with a tailored plan to help you stay active and manage discomfort.
- Osteoarthritis of Knee: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a type of arthritis causing cartilage breakdown in the knee joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, but with physical therapy, you can regain strength and ease movement.
- Nerve Root Injury and Plexus Disorders (incl. Pinched Nerve): Experiencing pain or weakness from a nerve injury is challenging, but rehabilitation programs can help manage symptoms, improve mobility, and make daily activities less painful and more manageable.
- Bursitis: Experiencing pain and swelling around a joint? It might be bursitis, an inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that protect your joints. With proper care, such as medication and physical therapy, you can alleviate this pain and maintain your active lifestyle.
- Shoulder Disorders: Don't let shoulder pain sideline you! Physical and occupational therapy can provide customized exercises and techniques to strengthen your shoulder, reduce pain, and help you maintain your active lifestyle.
- Osteoarthritis of Hip: Osteoarthritis in the hip is a common condition where the cushion between your hip bones wears away, resulting in pain and reduced movement; treatments like physical therapy and pain management strategies can help you maintain your mobility and live comfortably.
- Peripheral Nerve Disorders: Peripheral nerve disorders affect the nerves carrying signals to and from your brain and spinal cord, causing numbness, tingling, or weakness, but physical therapy can help restore function and improve your daily life.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Adrian Cristian offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- EMG (Electromyography): EMG helps your physical therapist understand the electrical activity of your muscles to pinpoint the source of weakness or pain and create a tailored treatment plan.
- Joint Drainage: Joint drainage, sometimes involving aspiration, helps relieve excess fluid buildup causing pain and stiffness in arthritic or injured joints, improving mobility and comfort.
- Joint Injection: A joint injection is a procedure where medication is injected directly into a painful joint to reduce inflammation and pain, improving mobility and comfort for seniors with arthritis.
- Nerve Conduction Studies: This test measures how well your nerves send electrical signals, assisting in the diagnosis of conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy that impact your mobility.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection (PRP): To improve function after a stroke, PRP injections may be considered as a supportive therapy to promote nerve regeneration and reduce impairments in movement.
- Soft Tissue Injections: Managing chronic back pain might involve soft tissue injections to relieve muscle spasms and inflammation, allowing you to participate more fully in physical therapy.
- Trigger Point Injection: Trigger point injections can be a valuable tool in your post-surgical recovery, helping to manage muscle pain and spasms that may hinder your rehabilitation progress.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Physical Therapies in Florida.
Dr. Adrian Cristian is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With tailored physical therapy, a senior woman regained the ability to knit intricate scarves, a cherished hobby, and experienced significant pain reduction.
- After physical therapy, a senior was able to walk comfortably around their home without pain, regaining their independence and enjoyment of daily activities. The family felt a sense of relief and security knowing their loved one was regaining mobility.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Pain Medicine)
- American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
Here are answers to some common questions about Rehabilitative care with Dr. Adrian Cristian:
- What do Physical Therapists do?
- Dr. Cristian and our team of physical therapists are movement experts. We help improve your quality of life through targeted exercise, hands-on care, and education. We work with seniors to recover from surgery, manage arthritis pain, improve balance, and regain strength for independent living.
- What can I expect during my first physical therapy visit?
- Your first visit with Dr. Adrian Cristian will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history, assess your pain, and measure your strength, movement, and balance. This collaborative session helps us understand your condition and set personalized goals for recovery and improved function.
- Will physical therapy be painful?
- We understand that some physical therapy exercises might be challenging or cause temporary soreness as your body strengthens. Dr. Adrian Cristian's goal is to reduce pain, not increase it. We will work within your comfort level, and open communication is essential for a positive experience.
- I'm having a knee/hip replacement. Why do I need physical therapy?
- Physical therapy is crucial after joint replacement surgery. While surgery repairs the joint, therapy retrains muscles and restores safe movement. Dr. Adrian Cristian's program focuses on regaining strength, flexibility, and correct walking, maximizing your recovery.
- What is 'manual therapy'?
- Manual therapy is a skilled, hands-on approach Dr. Adrian Cristian uses to address joint and muscle restrictions. Examples include gentle joint mobilization and soft tissue massage to relieve pain and improve movement.
- I've been feeling unsteady and am afraid of falling. Can you help?
- Yes, absolutely. Improving balance and preventing falls is a key focus of physical therapy for seniors. Dr. Adrian Cristian will assess your gait and balance to identify specific weaknesses and then design a program of exercises to improve strength, stability, and confidence while walking.
- I had a stroke. How can physical therapy help me recover?
- Dr. Adrian Cristian's specialized neurological rehabilitation program is crucial for stroke recovery. We'll design a personalized plan to help rewire your brain and body connection, focusing on improving walking, balance, strength, and overall functional independence. You'll be empowered to regain control and improve your quality of life.
- What is the difference between Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT)?
- Physical Therapy (PT) focuses on improving movement, like walking and range of motion. Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on daily living skills, such as dressing and cooking. Often, PT and OT work together as a team.
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute
8900 N Kendall Dr
Miami FL 33176
Phone: (786) 345-7208
Dr. Adrian Cristian, MD 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): 1619983400
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Physical Therapies like Dr. Adrian Cristian are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.