Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Physical Therapy Partner in St. Petersburg
Next Step Rehabilitation is a privately owned outpatient physical therapy practice dedicated to helping patients maintain, improve, and enhance their health and function. Established in 2002, our team of experienced physical therapists specializes in orthopedic and neurological conditions, sports injuries, and pre- and post-operative rehabilitation. We prioritize personalized care, ensuring each patient receives individualized attention from the same therapist throughout their treatment journey. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our manual therapy techniques, certified hand therapy services, and evidence-based approaches like Graston Technique and STOTT Pilates. We work closely with physicians to ensure coordinated care while educating patients about their conditions to prevent future injuries.With two convenient locations in Pinellas County, we offer flexible scheduling and accept most insurance plans to accommodate our patients' needs. Our mission is to maximize rehabilitative potential and restore quality of life through comprehensive, hands-on therapy, emotional support, and community education. Every team member, from our certified hand therapists to our front office specialists, shares a passion for helping patients overcome pain and physical limitations. We pride ourselves on maintaining a professional, courteous, and empathetic environment where patient success is our ultimate goal.
Services
Physical Therapy
Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Hand Therapy
Vestibular Training
Work Injury Management
Pre-Post Surgical Rehab
Custom Splinting
Balance Therapy
Orthopedic Care
Manual Therapy
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of combined experience in outpatient physical therapy
- Our team includes a Certified Hand Therapist with specialized expertise
- We provide consistent therapist-patient relationships throughout rehabilitation
- We accept most insurance plans and verify benefits before treatment begins
- Our flexible scheduling accommodates patients' work and family commitments
Associations and certifications
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
Services
Physical Therapy
Our comprehensive physical therapy services address orthopedic and neurological conditions through manual treatments, therapeutic exercises, and patient education. We specialize in restoring mobility and reducing pain for patients recovering from injuries or surgeries. Our therapists develop personalized treatment plans focused on improving daily function and preventing future injuries while maintaining open communication with referring physicians.
Sports Injury Rehabilitation
Specialized sports injury rehabilitation helps athletes recover from sports-specific injuries using evidence-based techniques. We treat both professional and recreational athletes with customized programs that restore performance capabilities and prevent re-injury. Our approach combines manual therapy, movement analysis, and sport-specific training to safely return patients to their competitive or recreational activities.
Certified Hand Therapy
Our Certified Hand Therapists provide expert care for hand, wrist, and forearm conditions through specialized treatment techniques. We offer custom splinting solutions and post-surgical rehabilitation for complex hand injuries. The program focuses on restoring fine motor skills and functional hand use while addressing both acute and chronic hand conditions.
Vestibular & Balance Training
This specialized program addresses balance disorders and vestibular dysfunction through targeted exercises and retraining techniques. We help patients overcome dizziness, vertigo, and instability issues that affect daily activities. The therapy improves spatial orientation and reduces fall risks through customized balance retraining protocols.
Work Injury Management
Our work injury management program focuses on restoring job-related physical capabilities through functional capacity evaluations and job-specific training. We collaborate with employers and physicians to develop safe return-to-work plans while addressing workplace injury rehabilitation needs. The program emphasizes ergonomic education and injury prevention strategies.
People
Wayne Whittle
Owner, Physical Therapist
Wayne Whittle, a Florida native, has practiced physical therapy in St. Petersburg since 1994. He founded Next Step Rehabilitation in 2002 after graduating from Florida International University. With expertise in orthopedic care, he focuses on helping patients recover from injuries and surgeries while maintaining an active lifestyle.
Steve Kiag
Owner, Physical Therapist
Steve Kiag, originally from Australia, has specialized in orthopedics and manual therapy since graduating in 1990. As co-owner since 2002, he focuses on sports-related injuries and immediate patient impact. He maintains memberships with multiple physical therapy associations while emphasizing personalized care.
Debbie Kiag
Certified Hand Therapist
Debbie Kiag, a Certified Hand Therapist since 2005, specializes in complex hand conditions. With a Master's degree from the University of Saint Augustine, she provides specialized care for hand injuries and post-surgical rehabilitation while maintaining focus on patient education and functional recovery.
Yoko Ray
Physical Therapist
Yoko Ray, a licensed physical therapist since 2002, specializes in orthopedic and sports medicine. She holds certifications in manual therapy techniques and STOTT Pilates instruction. With experience across multiple states, she brings expertise in movement analysis and evidence-based treatment approaches.
Tonya McLean
Physical Therapist
Tonya McLean, certified in Integrative Dry Needling since 2021, specializes in outpatient physical therapy. With a background in sports participation, she focuses on helping patients recover from injuries while incorporating dry needling as an adjunct to traditional treatment methods.
Questions
What physical therapy services do you offer?
We provide orthopedic rehabilitation, sports injury treatment, certified hand therapy, vestibular training, work injury management, and pre/post-surgical care using manual therapy techniques.
Do you accept insurance?
We accept most insurance plans and verify your benefits before treatment begins. Our staff contacts your provider to clarify coverage details prior to your initial visit.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call either (727) 345-3346 or (727) 209-0579 during business hours. We offer flexible scheduling with options for early or late appointments upon request.
What makes your practice different?
We provide consistent therapist-patient relationships throughout treatment, manual therapy techniques, certified hand specialists, and personalized care plans focused on long-term recovery and injury prevention.
Do you treat work-related injuries?
Yes, we specialize in work injury management with functional capacity evaluations and job-specific rehabilitation programs. We collaborate with employers and physicians to develop safe return-to-work plans.
Are your therapists certified specialists?
Our team includes a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and therapists certified in Graston Technique, STOTT Pilates, and Integrative Dry Needling, ensuring specialized treatment approaches for various conditions.
