Karen Griffenkranz, PT

Karen Griffenkranz, PT is a Physical Therapist practicing at her clinic in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she understands that general physical therapists are your primary partners in preventive care, collaborating to create long-term health plans, coordinating screenings, and restoring movement and function, guiding you through injury rehabilitation and empowering you to maintain optimal wellness for life. She serves all ages, and patients should call (904) 396-1462 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

As a physical therapist in Jacksonville, FL, Dr. Karen PT is committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to patient care, fostering a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Her focus on preventive care extends beyond injury rehabilitation, encompassing comprehensive strategies to support overall well-being. Dr. Karen PT understands the importance of proactive health management and strives to help patients achieve and maintain optimal physical function throughout their lives. She provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Karen PT is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Karen PT can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Karen PT provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Pediatric Trauma: Early detection and proper management of pediatric trauma minimizes lasting physical and cognitive effects, ensuring children reach their full potential.
• Torn Cartilage: A torn cartilage, often in the knee or shoulder, can be prevented by strengthening supporting muscles and practicing proper techniques for activities to reduce strain and injury.
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome: Early diagnosis and treatment of IT band syndrome, often through physical therapy, is key to preventing the pain from becoming persistent and impacting your daily life.
• Pediatric Spinal Disorders: Preventing curvature progression and functional deficits in children with spinal disorders ensures better mobility and overall well-being later in life.
• Shoulder Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis: Shoulder tendinitis and tenosynovitis are painful conditions affecting shoulder tendons and their sheaths, and early detection through proactive health checks can prevent long-term disability.
• Traumatic Brain Injury: Through proactive steps like wearing helmets during risky activities, we can reduce the incidence of TBI and improve overall brain health.
• Wrist Disorders: Strengthening wrist muscles and improving flexibility helps reduce your risk of developing painful wrist disorders and limitations.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Karen PT offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Strain-Counterstrain: As part of your wellness journey, strain-counterstrain helps pinpoint and resolve muscle strains before they lead to more significant problems, optimizing your movement and function.
• Range of Motion Testing: By measuring your range of motion, we can detect potential problems early, helping you maintain your independence and mobility.
• Amputee Rehabilitation: Amputee rehabilitation provides personalized support to help you adjust to life after amputation, focusing on gait training, prosthetic fitting, and strategies for managing pain and phantom limb sensations.
• Spine Physical Therapy: Invest in your spinal health with a physical therapy assessment; it can detect subtle problems and address them before they become major injuries.
• Myofascial Release Therapy: Prevent chronic pain and stiffness by utilizing myofascial release; this therapy targets the connective tissue to restore optimal muscle function and range of motion.
• Nerve Conduction Studies: As part of your proactive health plan, consider nerve conduction studies to assess your nerve function and prevent debilitating conditions that could restrict your movement.
• Musculoskeletal Function Test: This test helps evaluate your overall movement quality and identify any areas of weakness or imbalance, enabling us to create a personalized plan to prevent future problems.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Physical Therapies in Florida.

Dr. Karen PT is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By proactively addressing potential risks through regular physical therapy screenings, a family gained peace of mind, knowing they were equipped to minimize any potential future challenges related to pediatric trauma. This proactive approach ensured their child's physical and cognitive development could thrive.
• By strengthening the muscles around their knee and learning proper form during activities, a patient successfully reduced their risk of a torn cartilage, ensuring they could enjoy their favorite sports without worry.
• By addressing potential IT band syndrome early through targeted physical therapy exercises, a runner significantly reduced their risk of chronic pain and maintained a consistent, enjoyable running routine.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Physical Therapy care with Dr. Karen PT:

What is a Physical Therapist?

Dr. Karen PT is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement and restoring function. She helps improve your quality of life through hands-on care, education, and exercise, preventing injuries, managing pain, and restoring function after an illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Karen PT will be a comprehensive evaluation. We will discuss your medical history and goals, then perform a thorough physical evaluation of your posture, movement, strength, and flexibility. This is the starting point for creating a completely personalized prevention and recovery plan.

Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery?

Yes, in many cases. Physical therapy, like with chronic back pain, rotator cuff tears, or knee osteoarthritis, can be just as effective as surgery in reducing pain and improving function. It's a powerful, non-invasive first step that may prevent the need for more invasive procedures.

I feel dizzy and off-balance. Can a physical therapist help?

Yes, a physical therapist like Dr. Karen PT can help. Many physical therapists are specially trained in vestibular rehabilitation and can treat common causes of dizziness, such as BPPV, with specific head maneuvers. They can also improve balance through targeted exercises to prevent falls.

What is dry needling?

Dry needling is a skilled technique where a physical therapist inserts a thin needle into a muscle "trigger point" to release tension and relieve pain. It's based on Western anatomy and physiology, unlike acupuncture, and can be a helpful tool to accelerate your recovery.

I have pain at my desk job. Can you provide ergonomic advice?

Yes, absolutely. Preventing workplace injuries is a key part of physical therapy. Dr. Karen PT can assess your workstation setup and provide expert ergonomic recommendations, as well as teach stretches and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

What is 'manual therapy'?

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach used by Dr. Karen PT to address pain and improve movement. It includes techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue massage to restore joint motion and improve muscle function, preparing your body for more effective therapeutic exercise.

My child seems clumsy or behind in motor skills. Can PT help?

Yes, pediatric physical therapists like Dr. Karen PT are experts in child development. She can perform a developmental screening to identify any delays and create a fun, play-based therapy program to help your child build strength, coordination, and confidence to meet their milestones.

3311 Beach Blvd
Jacksonville FL 32207
Phone: (904) 396-1462

Karen Griffenkranz, PT is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1699822692

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Physical Therapies like Dr. Karen PT are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your physical therapy about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.