PROF I LE
PROF I LE
D r . C arson K utuchief
Founder, SoFloPT REHAB and SoFloPT SPORT
By Jennifer Cohen
Dr. Carson Kutuchief is one of South Florida’s most respected physical therapists and the founder of SoFloPT REHAB and SoFloPT SPORT. Specializing in orthopedic surgical and non-surgical injuries, Dr. Kutuchief envisioned a multidisciplinary practice that integrates sports physical therapy, sports chiropractic care, and performance training. He built that vision from the ground up and now operates multiple offices in Fort Lauderdale. His approach to care extends far beyond the treatment room. Through years of working with patients of all ages and activity levels - from athletes to business professionals - he has seen firsthand how small, daily movement habits can either protect the body or slowly contribute to pain and injury. His practical, easy-to-apply insights are designed to help people build strength, stability, and injury resistance through simple movements woven into everyday life. In today’s work environment, many people spend most of their day sitting, which can lead to stiffness, poor posture, muscle imbalances, and increased injury risk. One simple habit Dr. Kutuchief recommends is getting up to move every 30–45 minutes. “It can be as basic as a two-minute walk, standing in a doorway to stretch the chest, leaning back in a tandem stance to stretch the hip flexors, or looking up while pinching the shoulder blades to stretch the neck,” he says. One of the most common mistakes he sees occurs during routine lifting and bending. “People tend to round their backs instead of maintaining a flat spine,” Dr. Kutuchief explains. “That puts excessive stress on the low back rather than allowing the glutes and leg muscles to do the work.”
should be held for 20 seconds and repeated twice. He explains that “stretching prepares the muscles and joints for the day, improves range of motion, and helps prevent compensations that lead to strains and joint pain.” For those short on time, Dr. Kutuchief believes squats are the most effective strength exercise. “The squat is my favorite full-body movement. It targets large muscle groups like the quads, glutes, and spinal muscles, mimics everyday activities, increases bone density, and improves coordination.” While many people assume they need a gym to get stronger, Dr. Kutuchief emphasizes that bodyweight exercises can build strength and stability in as little as 30 days. Push- ups, planks, lunges, bird dogs, single-leg balance work, and single-leg Romanian deadlifts are among his top recommendations. Balance training becomes increasingly important with age, as it enhances proprioception, the body’s ability to sense where it is in space and reduces the risk of falls. “As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I focus a good part of my plan of care improving balance and proprioception, which is vital to prevent falling, tripping, or loosing balance without looking,” said Dr. Kutuchief. A simple exercise he recommends is standing on one foot near a kitchen counter, gradually working up to 15 seconds per leg. For added difficulty, try closing your eyes or standing on a soft surface. “I love my job,” Dr. Kutuchief says. “I get to help people in pain using my hands and my knowledge of the body, and people are often surprised by what they’re capable of doing.”
To prevent injuries, he suggests 10–15 minutes of stretching each morning, focusing on the hips and low back. Stretches
2026 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY
LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES
82
83
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online