Katherine Ihlenfeldt

Katherine Ihlenfeldt is a Physical Therapist dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Largo, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Her approach emphasizes the crucial role of general physical therapists in preventive care, collaborating to create long-term health plans, coordinating screenings, and restoring movement and function. She guides patients through injury rehabilitation, empowering them to maintain optimal wellness for life, and serves all ages.

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. Dr. Katherine Ihlenfeldt is a physical therapist in Largo, FL, committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She believes in a proactive, holistic approach to health, and her practice is focused on helping individuals achieve their wellness goals. Patients should call (727) 596-2101 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Katherine Ihlenfeldt provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Katherine Ihlenfeldt 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. Katherine Ihlenfeldt 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. Katherine Ihlenfeldt 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:

• Phantom Limb Without Pain: While the absence of pain in phantom limb sensation may seem benign, consulting a physical therapist can help manage sensory changes and avoid the development of more debilitating symptoms.
• Elbow Fracture: Preventing future elbow fractures requires identifying and managing risk factors like osteoporosis or engaging in regular exercise to improve bone density and strength.
• Spinal Fracture: Preventing spinal fractures involves proactive risk management, including addressing conditions like osteoporosis, maintaining good posture, and choosing safe activities to avoid falls and injuries.
• Spinal Demyelination: Protecting your spinal cord's myelin sheath is crucial for preventing debilitating spinal demyelination; maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk.
• Closed Hip Fracture Treatment: Prompt and proper treatment of a closed hip fracture focuses on restoring mobility and function, preventing secondary health problems that often impact quality of life.
• Musculoskeletal Injuries: Preventing musculoskeletal injuries starts with understanding your risk factors, such as repetitive movements or poor posture, and making adjustments to protect your body.
• Familial Joint Laxity: Knowing your family history of joint laxity is vital for proactive joint health; regular physical therapy sessions can strengthen muscles and support your joints, reducing the likelihood of future injuries.

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. Katherine Ihlenfeldt offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Ultrasound, Musculoskeletal: Protect your mobility and prevent future problems by using musculoskeletal ultrasound to screen for conditions like tendonitis, muscle tears, and other musculoskeletal issues.
• Interferential Current Therapy: Prevent chronic pain and stiffness by utilizing interferential current therapy; it's a proactive approach to manage inflammation and enhance tissue repair after an injury or surgery.
• Non-Cosmetic Botox® Injection: Non-cosmetic Botox® injections can help prevent long-term disability by targeting muscle dysfunction early and improving your quality of life.
• Facet Blocks: To proactively manage lower back pain, facet blocks can help identify the specific spinal facet joints causing discomfort, guiding your physical therapist in developing a personalized rehabilitation program.
• Spinal Manipulation Under Anesthesia: As a proactive step in managing chronic back pain, spinal manipulation under anesthesia provides a means to comprehensively assess and address spinal problems that may be limiting your daily activities.
• Nerve Conduction Studies: Ensure your nerves are functioning optimally by scheduling nerve conduction studies – an important diagnostic test that aids in preventing future mobility challenges.
• Spasticity Rehabilitation: Proactive spasticity rehabilitation helps restore movement and reduce stiffness, improving your overall quality of life.

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. Katherine Ihlenfeldt 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:

• A patient, proactively managing phantom limb sensation without pain, benefited from physical therapy guidance, avoiding more complex symptoms and maintaining a positive outlook on their recovery. Early intervention helped the patient maintain a good quality of life.
• By understanding and addressing their osteoporosis risk factors through a tailored exercise program, a patient significantly reduced their chance of experiencing a future elbow fracture, fostering a renewed sense of confidence and mobility.
• By proactively addressing osteoporosis and practicing good posture, a patient significantly reduced their risk of spinal fracture, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain an active lifestyle.

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. Katherine Ihlenfeldt:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A Physical Therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional specializing in movement. They improve quality of life by providing hands-on care, education, and exercises to prevent injuries, manage pain, and restore function after illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Ihlenfeldt will be a comprehensive assessment. She will discuss your medical history and goals, then perform a 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 can be as effective as surgery for conditions like chronic back pain, rotator cuff tears, or knee osteoarthritis. It's a powerful, non-invasive first step to reduce pain and improve function, potentially preventing the need for more invasive procedures.

How does physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Dr. Ihlenfeldt's physical therapy can help prevent injuries by identifying muscle imbalances, weakness, or poor movement patterns through a functional movement screen. A personalized exercise program is then created to correct these issues before they lead to problems. This proactive approach helps patients stay healthy and active.

I have arthritis. Can physical therapy actually help?

Yes, physical therapy is a cornerstone of arthritis management. While it can't reverse arthritis, a targeted exercise program from Dr. Katherine Ihlenfeldt can strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and significantly reduce pain, helping to prevent disability and maintain an active life.

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. Ihlenfeldt 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 physical therapists like Dr. Ihlenfeldt to address pain and improve movement. It includes techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization to restore joint motion and alleviate muscle tension. These techniques prepare the body for more effective therapeutic exercises.

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

Yes, Dr. Ihlenfeldt's pediatric physical therapists are experts in child development. They 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.

14280 Walsingham Rd
Largo FL 33774
Phone: (727) 596-2101

Katherine Ihlenfeldt 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): 1831700327

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. Katherine Ihlenfeldt 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.