Erik Bleeker, MSPT, CSCS is a Fort Lauderdale–based physical therapist and owner of Back to Health. Bleeker (you can call him “Bleeker” if you want—his friends do) is known for a hands-on, highly customized style of care, because he believes physical therapy is at its best when it’s real problem-solving, not cookie-cutter protocols. A quick lap through his Google reviews and you’ll notice a theme: knowledgeable, caring, and patient—on repeat.
At the center of his work is a simple priority: helping people protect their independence and quality of life.
Bleeker opened the doors to Clear Choice Physical Therapy in September of 2014, after 12 years working as a physical therapist and clinic director at several physical therapy practices both in Florida and New York. Early in his career, he saw firsthand the limitations of rushed, high-volume care—and it cemented his commitment to doing things differently. He was driven by a desire to provide a patient with the very best in straightforward, customized treatment. He envisioned a practice where he could build relationships with his patients based on an honest assessment of their situation, unhindered by the dynamics of larger healthcare organizations.
As Clear Choice grew, Erik’s vision expanded beyond being a certain kind of practitioner. He wanted to widen the footprint so more people could have access to the same high-quality, one-on-one care he was known for. It was in that spirit that he connected with Darlene Wooldridge, whose legacy practice—Back to Health, founded in 2004—was built on closely aligned values and deep community trust. Erik and Darlene met at a time when she was ready to transition to the next chapter of her life, and the union became a natural fit—an intentional step forward in Erik’s vision to grow what patients already loved while keeping the care personal—and the standard high.
If you’re working with Erik, you can expect a straightforward, highly personalized approach that starts with listening, clear measurement, and a plan built around what matters most to you. He’s never been interested in what he calls Mickey Mouse therapy—a one-size-fits-all approach—and instead focuses on the “why” behind the pain, then builds the plan around it. He’ll want to understand your real life—not just your symptoms: what you do, what you enjoy, and what you’re trying to get back to. From there, Erik tailors the plan to your goals and your reality—how often you can come in, what you can do at home, and what “better” truly needs to look like for you—making small, meaningful adjustments that keep recovery moving smoothly.
Erik has intentionally broadened and deepened his expertise in areas that often affect adults as they age, so patients can stay active and independent. That focus on aging well has created a loyal following. Many patients finish their plans of care and choose to keep seeing Erik regularly—not because they’re in crisis, but because they’ve learned the value of staying proactive with someone who truly knows what to look for. In those ongoing visits, Erik shifts from “treating” to taking the wheel of their fitness routine. With a physical therapist’s eye guiding it, patients can push confidently without getting hurt—so they stay consistent, and stay ahead. His regulars will joke they’re the reason he’s so hard to book, and Erik just smiles: it means they’re protecting independence before it’s compromised, not trying to win it back later.
Bleeker met his wife, Kelly, at the University of Florida where they both earned their undergraduate degrees. Bleeker then went on to earn a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy before moving to New York, NY. In New York, Bleeker worked as a staff physical therapist at Westside Sports Physical Therapy and was quickly recruited to be the Clinic Director of the Manhattan-based Premier Physical Therapy & Wellness.
Upon their return to Florida in 2006, the Bleekers moved to the Imperial Point neighborhood where they currently live with their three children: Jack, Bo and Kate. When he’s not working one-on-one with patients at Back to Health, you can find Bleeker playing soccer with his kids, working on home-improvement projects, or strategizing a game of chess—and, if the timing’s right, holding court as the family’s self-appointed grill master. Every so often, he’ll wind down by catching an episode of Landman. But for a guy whose workday is built around a steady schedule of appointments, his favorite moments are the unscheduled ones. That’s usually laughing at whatever ridiculous TikTok the kids insist he has to see, breaking down NFL RedZone highlights, or planning the next campout (often starting the day after the last one, if Kate has anything to do with it). He’s making the most of these years while everyone’s still under the same roof.
