PrescribeFIT

Lifestyle Health Coaching for Orthopedic Patients in Valdosta, GA

Where Orthopedic Care Meets Whole-Body Wellness

Dr. Eric Stiefel at Valdosta Orthopedic Associates Offers Prescribe FIT Health Coaching to Optimize Patient Care

At Valdosta Orthopedic Associates, we believe that getting better is about more than just treating your symptoms. That is why Dr. Eric Stiefel, MD, now offers PrescribeFIT — a doctor-prescribed, at-home lifestyle health coaching program designed to help orthopedic patients address the root causes of their pain, improve their overall health, and achieve better outcomes.


Dr. Stiefel is an orthopedic surgeon with a clinical focus on arthroscopy and sports injury care, treating conditions of the shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip. He is recognized as a designated arthroscopic leader by the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA). He understands that for many of his patients — whether they are recovering from a ligament injury, preparing for arthroscopic surgery, or managing a chronic joint condition — overall health and body composition play a significant role in how well they heal and how fully they return to activity.


PrescribeFIT is the program he offers to help bridge that gap.


This is not a fad diet or a generic fitness app. PrescribeFIT is a medically supervised program that works alongside your orthopedic care to help you feel better, move better, and live better.

What is PrescribeFIT?

PrescribeFIT is a full-service remote patient monitoring and virtual lifestyle health coaching program built specifically for orthopedic patients. The program is designed to help people dealing with joint pain, hip and knee conditions, back pain, and other musculoskeletal issues make meaningful, lasting changes to their health from the comfort of home.

Rather than focusing only on the injury or condition itself, PrescribeFIT looks at the bigger picture. Factors like excess weight, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity put real stress on your joints and spine. By addressing those root causes, patients are often able to reduce pain, improve mobility, and set themselves up for better surgical or non-surgical outcomes.


Since joining Prescribe FIT, patients have achieved remarkable outcomes, with an average weight loss of 19 pounds and up to 100 pounds. Beyond weight loss, participants have seen significant reductions in pain and improvements in mobility, enabling them to live more active and fulfilling lives. 


Since Dr. Stiefel began offering this program, VOA patients have collectively lost over 500 pounds.

How Lifestyle Impacts Your Joint & Musculoskeletal Health

Your lifestyle choices, including your nutrition and physical activity, play a significant role in your musculoskeletal (MSK) health. In addition, carrying excess weight can place added stress on your joints, particularly in weight-bearing areas like your knees, hips, and lower back, leading to increased wear and tear over time. An inactive lifestyle or poor nutrition can weaken muscles and bones, reducing their ability to support and protect your joints. By adopting healthier habits such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and weight management, you can significantly reduce the risk of MSK issues, improve joint function, and enhance your overall quality of life.

How the Program Works

Getting started with PrescribeFIT is simple. Once Dr. Stiefel prescribes the program, here is what to expect:

  • You Receive Your Prescription: After your appointment, you will receive your PrescribeFIT enrollment information by email or text message.


  • You Get Your Tools: You will receive a Bluetooth-enabled smart scale that syncs directly with your smartphone and sends your daily weight readings to Dr. Stiefel’s team for monitoring.


  • You Are Matched With a Health Coach: You will be connected with a dedicated PrescribeFIT Health Coach who will serve as your personal guide throughout the program. Your coach will check in with you regularly through one-on-one calls, help you set realistic goals, and keep you motivated every step of the way.


  • You Make Small, Sustainable Changes: Your health coach will work with you on practical, manageable adjustments to your nutrition, physical activity, and daily habits. This program is built around real life — not perfection. Small, consistent changes over time are what produce lasting results.


  • Dr. Stiefel Reviews Your Progress: Your care team at VOA will have access to your data and progress throughout the program, keeping your orthopedic care and lifestyle coaching aligned and working together.

What PrescribeFIT Can Help With

PrescribeFIT is especially beneficial for patients of Dr. Stiefel who are managing conditions such as:


  • Knee pain, including ACL, meniscus, and cartilage injuries
  • Shoulder and elbow disorders, including rotator cuff conditions and ligament injuries
  • Hip pain and hip joint conditions
  • Sports-related orthopedic injuries
  • Joint conditions worsened by excess weight or physical inactivity
  • Patients preparing for or recovering from arthroscopic or other orthopedic surgery


Regardless of the specific condition, the program is designed to help patients:


  • Reduce pain and inflammation
  • Lose weight to relieve stress on joints
  • Improve mobility, flexibility, and endurance
  • Strengthen bones, joints, and muscles
  • Prepare for orthopedic surgery with better overall health
  • Recover more effectively after surgery

Why Overall Health Matters for Orthopedic Outcomes

Whether you are an active person dealing with a sports injury or someone managing a chronic joint condition, your overall health directly affects how well your treatment works and how completely you recover.


Excess body weight increases stress on the joints, including the knees, hips, and shoulders, and can slow healing after surgery or injury. Inflammation related to poor nutrition and physical inactivity can also interfere with tissue repair and long-term joint health. For patients who are pursuing minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures or other surgical care with Dr. Stiefel, arriving at the procedure in the best possible overall health often leads to smoother recoveries, fewer complications, and a faster return to the activities you care about.


PrescribeFIT gives Dr. Stiefel a way to extend his care beyond the exam room and support your health at a level that makes a real difference in your outcomes.

A Program Designed Around You

One of the things that makes PrescribeFIT different is that it meets you where you are. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Your health coach will take the time to understand your specific situation, your health history, and your goals before helping you build a plan that works for your life.


Whether you are preparing for arthroscopic knee surgery, managing a shoulder condition, or simply trying to get healthier to move more freely, PrescribeFIT gives you the personalized support and accountability to make real progress.

Real Success Stories From Our Patients

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“I have gone down several clothes sizes and now walk faster than most of my family—I’m no longer 5-6 steps behind! I have so much more energy and even encourage everyone to go for walks with me.”


- J.B.

“Since joining Prescribe FIT, my pain has improved so much. I’ve started walking daily in my home and focusing on reducing portions with each meal. It feels great to be making progress and taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle!”


- C.W.

A Message from Dr. Steifel

“At Valdosta Orthopedic Associates, we’re committed to addressing the full spectrum of our patients’ needs, both in and out of the clinic,” said Dr. Eric Stiefel. “By integrating Prescribe FIT into our services, we’re offering patients a proactive, sustainable solution that complements our advanced treatments, empowering them to live healthier, pain-free lives.”


With Prescribe FIT, Valdosta Orthopedic Associates continues to elevate its patient care, setting a new standard in orthopedic and musculoskeletal health in the Southern Georgia community by combining advanced medical treatments with holistic lifestyle management.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About PrescribeFIT

  • Who is a good candidate for PrescribeFIT?

    PrescribeFIT is a great fit for patients of Dr. Stiefel who are managing orthopedic conditions of the shoulder, elbow, knee, or hip — including sports injuries, ligament and cartilage conditions, and joint disorders — where overall health, body composition, or lifestyle factors play a role in recovery and outcomes. It is also well suited for patients preparing for or recovering from arthroscopic or other orthopedic surgery. Dr. Stiefel will let you know at your appointment whether PrescribeFIT is a good option for your situation.

  • Is PrescribeFIT covered by insurance?

    PrescribeFIT is a remote patient monitoring program, and many insurance plans provide coverage for this type of care. Coverage can vary, so it is best to contact our office directly to discuss your specific plan.

  • Do I need to come into the office to participate?

    No. PrescribeFIT is an at-home program. Your coaching sessions take place virtually, and your monitoring device connects wirelessly to send data directly to our team. You continue attending your regular in-office appointments with Dr. Stiefel as scheduled.

  • How is this different from a weight loss program?

    PrescribeFIT is not a standalone weight loss program. It is a medically supervised lifestyle health program that works as an extension of your orthopedic care. Weight loss may be one outcome, but the focus is on improving your overall health to support better orthopedic outcomes — less pain, better mobility, and a stronger foundation going into or coming out of treatment.

  • How do I get started?

    Bring it up at your next appointment with Dr. Stiefel, or call our office to ask whether PrescribeFIT is right for you. We are happy to walk you through the details.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you are a patient of Dr. Eric Stiefel and want to learn more about the PrescribeFIT program, we encourage you to reach out to our team. Call our office today at (229) 247-2290 to speak with a team member and ask Dr. Stiefel whether PrescribeFIT is the right fit for your care plan.


Your health — your whole health — matters to us. We are here to help you get back to the life you want to be living.