Katy Fort

Katy Fort is a Physical Therapist registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at her clinic in Fort Myers, FL, and is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive Physical Therapy care. Her focus on prevention is key; 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. Katy Fort's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. She serves all ages and is committed to providing accessible and effective physical therapy solutions. Patients should call (239) 931-5700 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Katy Fort is a physical therapist in Fort Myers, FL, dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain your best possible physical health.

Dr. Katy Fort provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Leg Pain: Leg pain is often preventable with regular exercise and healthy lifestyle choices that strengthen muscles and improve joint health.
• Wrist Sprain or Strain: Early recognition of wrist pain and seeking prompt physical therapy can prevent a minor wrist sprain from becoming a chronic problem impacting your daily activities and work productivity.
• Enthesopathy of Hip (incl. Trochanteric Bursitis): Protecting your hips through proper posture, strengthening exercises, and avoiding overexertion can significantly lower your risk of developing painful hip conditions.
• Wrist Injuries: Understanding your risk factors for wrist injuries, such as repetitive movements, can help you take proactive steps to avoid pain and limitations.
• Lumbar Disc Degeneration: Lumbar disc degeneration, a gradual wearing down of the spinal discs in your lower back, can be managed through proactive measures like maintaining good posture and core strength to prevent further damage and pain.
• Shoulder Osteophyte: Understanding your risk for shoulder osteophytes and engaging in preventive strategies such as strengthening exercises and ergonomic adjustments is key to preserving shoulder health.
• Back Pain: Managing back pain effectively minimizes the risk of long-term disability and improves your quality of life.

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

• Spasticity Rehabilitation: Proactive spasticity rehabilitation helps restore movement and reduce stiffness, improving your overall quality of life.
• Rehabilitation After Stroke or Trauma: Rediscover your independence and regain essential life skills through targeted rehabilitation following stroke or traumatic events.
• Bursa Injection: As a proactive approach to joint health, a bursa injection targets inflammation to help restore movement and prevent limitations in your daily activities.
• Epidural Implants: For individuals experiencing persistent nerve pain, epidural implants are a proactive approach offering targeted pain relief and helping restore the function lost due to the condition.
• Cardiac Rehabilitation: Take a proactive step towards a healthier heart with cardiac rehabilitation; it helps you safely increase your activity levels and reduce your risk of future heart issues.
• Pain Management Through Physical Therapy: Invest in your well-being and prevent chronic pain by exploring the benefits of physical therapy; it helps improve movement and reduce pain naturally.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave: Enhance your body's natural healing process with extracorporeal shockwave therapy, a non-surgical method that can help prevent the need for more invasive procedures by addressing pain at its source.

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. Katy Fort 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 incorporating regular stretching and strengthening exercises into their routine, a patient significantly reduced their risk of leg pain, enjoying a more active and pain-free lifestyle.
• Recognizing early wrist pain and promptly seeking physical therapy guidance helped a patient avoid a chronic wrist issue, allowing them to maintain their active lifestyle and work without limitations.
• By incorporating strengthening exercises and mindful posture into her daily routine, a patient significantly reduced her risk of developing painful hip conditions, allowing her to enjoy a more active and pain-free 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. Katy Fort:

What is a Physical Therapist?

A physical therapist (PT) is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in movement and improving quality of life. They use hands-on care, education, and exercise to prevent injuries, manage pain, and restore function after an illness or surgery.

What should I expect during my first physical therapy evaluation?

Your first visit with Dr. Fort will be a comprehensive evaluation. 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 just 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.

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

Yes, pediatric physical therapists are experts in child development. Dr. Katy Fort 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.

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 valuable tool to accelerate your recovery.

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. Katy Fort can strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve flexibility, and significantly reduce pain, helping to prevent disability and maintain an active life.

I'm having joint replacement surgery. When should I start PT?

Pre-operative physical therapy, or "prehab," strengthens muscles, preparing you for surgery and speeding recovery. Post-operative physical therapy is crucial, starting soon after surgery, to restore range of motion, build strength, and ensure the best possible outcome from your new joint. Dr. Fort's team will work closely with you to create a personalized plan for your recovery.

How does physical therapy help with chronic back pain?

Dr. Fort's physical therapy approach focuses on preventing future back pain episodes, not just treating the current discomfort. She'll identify the root cause of your pain and create a personalized program including core strengthening, flexibility exercises, and education on proper posture and body mechanics. This empowers you to manage your back health long-term.

4550 Colonial Blvd
Fort Myers FL 33966
Phone: (239) 931-5700

Katy Fort 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): 1740657352

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. Katy Fort 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.