Credentials & Specialties

Providing the highest standard of care is of utmost importance to us. Our therapists have extensive experience in a variety of conditions and the credentials to back it up. They have undergone advanced training to ensure proper evaluation and quality treatment that can help patients manage his or her health over the long term. Some of their
credentials include:

In addition to our therapists credentials, many have advanced experience in a specific area. Their specialties include:

Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Why choose a Board Certified Clinical Specialists? It promotes the highest level of enhanced diagnostic skills and specialty care for individuals seeking physical therapy, including managing patients with complex conditions, to achieve the most effective clinical outcomes. The Certification Program is a means of providing formal recognition to physical therapists, who have advance clinical knowledge, experience, and skills and and assists consumers and the health care community in identifying practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills in a specialty area.

To become certified, physical therapists demonstrate competence in both specialized knowledge and advanced clinical proficiency. They have built on a broad base of professional education and experience to develop a greater knowledge and skills in a particular area of practice.

Among the minimum requirements to become certified are documented hours of direct patient care in the chosen specialty area and successful completion of a rigorous Alan Dalton examination through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), which is the governing board for the specialist certification program within the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Specializing in orthopedics, Alan Dalton, MPT, OCS is a Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Through clinical practice and a strong commitment to continuing education, he has achieved and practices advanced skills in evaluation and treatment of joint and soft tissue dysfunction.

Alan has excellent experience in spinal and extremity evaluation and rehabilitation, utilizing a combination of manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, biomechanical instruction and modalities to assist his patients in achieving their rehabilitation goals.

Alan is a managing partner in ownership of Legacy Physical Therapy & Sports Training and currently serves as Legacy's CEO while continuing to practice out of our Venice location.

For more information on Board Certification of Physical Therapists, please visit:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at apta.org.

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Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Physical therapists with this advanced degree are autonomous provider of physical therapy services. Brian Byrd They are leaders in patient examination, evaluation, intervention and case management. They serve the community through commitment to excellence in clinical practice, and understand the economic, and psychosocial needs of their clients. Brian Byrd, DPT, MTC achieved his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Saint Augustine.

Brian Byrd, DPT, MTC, is a Certified Manual Therapist and a managing partner of LEGACY Physical Therapy & Sports Training. He received his undergraduate in Exercise Physiology and Athletic Training at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.

Brian completed his Masters and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in Saint Augustine, FL. He has achieved advanced studies in orthopaedic and spinal evaluation and manipulative techniques as a resident at the University of Saint Augustine as well as Campbell Clinic in Memphis, TN.

He is a partner in ownership of Legacy Physical Therapy & Sports Training and currently practices out of our Bradenton location.

For more information on Doctorates of Physical Therapy, please visit:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) at apta.org.

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Hand Therapy

Everyone values the use of their hands and any loss of function through injury or accident may have a devastating effect on their lives. The intricate anatomy of the arm and hand frequently require very delicate surgery, often with microscopic techniques. The technical complexity of these surgeries necessitates a high level of competence by therapists with advanced skills in upper quarter rehabilitation during postoperative recovery.

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Lymphedema Therapy

Lymphedema is the abnormal swelling of the body, commonly in the limbs after insult to the lymphatic system as in the case of surgery to remove lymph nodes where cancer cells have been found. There is no cure for lymphedema, and due to its chronic nature, early diagnosis and treatment are imperative to successfully living with this potentially debilitative disorder.

The treatment method of choice is Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). This noninvasive Jane Fulton treatment has yielded tremendous results in the United States, Europe, & elsewhere. The treatment consists of manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy via short stretch bandages, therapeutic exercise and patient education.

Jane Fulton, PT, MTC, MHSc is a graduate of Northeastern University and has practiced in Sarasota since 1998. Jane is a Manual Certified Therapist, and holds other specialty training including lymphedema management, post-surgical rehabilitation, cervical pain, and headaches. She has treated athletes including professionals from Cirque de Soleil, the Baltimore Orioles, the Seahawks, the Colts, and the Sarasota Ballet Company. Jane completed her Master of Health Science degree at the University of St. Augustine.

Jane is a Clinic Director at Legacy Physical Therapy & Sports Training and currently practices out of our Sarasota location.

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Manual Therapy Certified

Manual Certified Therapists practise with a clinical approach utilizing skilled, specific hands-on techniques, including manipulation and mobilization, used by the physical therapist to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures for the purpose of modulating pain. Their goals are to:

  • Increase range of motion (ROM)
  • Reduce or eliminate soft tissue inflammation
  • Induce relaxation
  • Improve contractile and non-contractile tissue repair, extensibility, and/or stability; facilitating movement
  • Improve function

For more information on Manual Therapy Certification, please visit:
American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (AAOMPT) at aaompt.org

All of our physical Therapists either have the Manual Therapy Certification or are in the process of obtaining.

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Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic rehabilitation is now offered in conjunction with current rehabilitation programs Brian Byrdat our Bradenton location. We see aquatic therapy as a key component in the continuum of care for a variety of diagnoses. The program will often allow earlier intervention of therapy while concurrently decreasing patient’s pain, thereby improving confidence and compliance.

Aquatic rehabilitation combines the beneficial effects of exercise and water to create an optimal environment for rehabilitation. It may even allow the patient to begin rehabilitation earlier hence resulting in an earlier return to functional activities. The greatest benefits of pool therapy are primarily due to three physical properties of water:

These physical properties make this medium superior to air for exercising, especially early in the rehabilitation process.

Common diagnoses treated with Aquatic Rehabilitation:

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy:

For more information regarding Aquatic Therapy, please call or visit our Bradenton location.

Additional information can be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association at apta.org

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Gait & Balance Therapy

Abnormal gait may be caused by conditions in many different areas of the body. For example:

By evaluating each individual phase of the gait cycle, our Physical Therapist obtains clues into specific muscular weaknesses and shortening. We will address these issues in a rehabilitation program that may include exercise therapy, walking re-training and in-shoe splints. With proper treatment, this may lead to a more efficient gait pattern, resulting in:

Additional information can be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association by viewing the Balance and Falls brochure.

Each of our therapists have extensive experience in gait & balance disorders. For more information, please contact any one of our locations.

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Sports Training

We offer comprehensive strength and conditioning programs developed specifically to your needs. We have specific targeted programs for:

  • Beginners
  • Post-rehabilitation patients
  • High school, collegiate & professional athletes
  • Personal trainers
  • Amateur to Professional Golfers

We work with individuals or groups to develop personal fitness or sport-specific programs focusing on increasing strength, flexibility and endurance.

Our Certified Athletic Trainers and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists are dedicated to helping you whether you just need some motivation and basic training or are looking for a long-term coach. Our qualified professionals understand muscle/fitness enhancement. In addition, they are all experienced in injury prevention and rehabilitation.

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