Kirsten Snellenburg
About Kirsten “AKA Dr. K”
Kirsten joined Back 2 Normal in March 2017. Kirsten is a Licensed Physical Therapist with over 27 years of experience, earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in 2008. Prior to earning her Doctorate, she completed her master’s degree in physical therapy from Nova Southeastern University. She also holds her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Eckerd College and is a licensed Massage Therapist through the Humanity School of Massage since 1996.
Kirsten finds great satisfaction in working with patients that suffer with life-altering conditions, to help them get back to enjoying life and all it has to offer. Kirsten’s goal is to develop productive relationships with patients by emphasizing quality care that addresses individual needs and specific goals for recovery and assists patients in obtaining their optimal level of function. An educator at heart, Kirsten holds many trainings throughout the medical community to explain how physical therapy can assist in eliminating the issues she addresses daily.
Having previously owned an outpatient physical therapy clinic for over 10 years, she is very well-known amongst therapists and physicians because of her excellent reputation and skills in Manual Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Vestibular Dysfunction, and Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMJ).
She is a full-time faculty member at St. Petersburg College, where she instructs upcoming physical therapist assistants. She also conducts several Continuing Education Courses for Massage Therapists on Sports Massage, Cervical Headache, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, TMJ, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Ultrasound, and other Soft Tissue Dysfunction. She is a contributing author for the textbook, “Sports Injury and Rehabilitation,” and looks forward to wearing her “author” hat again in the future. Kirsten is also a member of The International Association of Healthcare Practitioners, a professional network of more than 100,000 therapists who have taken continuing-education classes from IAHE and its affiliates. See her listing here.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Awards &
Recognitions
- Recipient of St Petersburg College Titan Award, 2023 – Recognized for outstanding contributions in Student Support.
Media &
Published Work
- “Sports Injury and Rehabilitation” – Contributing Author
- Case Report: “A Physical Therapy Evaluation & Treatment of Cervical Vertigo”
- Thesis: “Differences in Physical & Occupational Therapists Knowledge and Recognition of Battered Women”
Special Certifications &
Advanced Training
- Doctorate in Physical Therapy – University of St. Augustine, 2008.
- Master’s degree in physical therapy – Nova Southeastern University. 1998
- Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration – Eckerd College. 1986
- Licensed Massage Therapist – Humanity School of Massage, 1995.
- Certified Visceral Techniques Practitioner- Barral Institute, 2024
- Advanced Visceral Manipulation Courses
- Upledger cranial & Barral Neuromeningeal trainings
- MSU Courses in muscle energy and cranial techniques
- Vestibular & Balance treatment with Bertec training
- Rocobado Craniofacial (TMJ) trainings
- Mulligan, Paris, & Chaitow advanced training through my career
What Drives Me
Kirsten is driven by the profound connection between healing, learning, and growth, both for her patients and herself. Through the art of manual therapy, she strives not only to alleviate physical discomfort but also to empower individuals on their journey toward holistic well-being. Witnessing the resilience of the human body and spirit inspires her to continually learn and refine her skills, ensuring she provides the most effective care. This shared path of recovery and self-discovery fuels her passion and deepens her commitment to helping others thrive. Her approach is guided by core values: compassion, as she creates a safe and supportive environment for every client; integrity, maintaining trust and transparency in every interaction; and growth, as she continuously learns and improves to deliver exceptional care.
Kirsten brings the gifts of acknowledgment of one’s circumstances, joy, gratitude, loyalty, and service to her work. Her extensive clinical experience in Orthopedic Outpatient Physical Therapy enables her to effectively address pre- and post-operative injuries, perform spinal manipulations, and implement advanced manual therapies. Kirsten’s goal is to build productive relationships with her patients by emphasizing quality care tailored to individual needs and specific recovery goals, ultimately helping them achieve their optimal level of function
Personal Philosophy
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
– Albert Schweitzer
BEYOND THE CLINIC
Outside of her professional work, Kirsten enjoys kitesurfing, wing-foiling, and cycling—activities that reflect her lifelong passion for movement and performance, including her background as an Olympic athlete and coach in windsurfing. She also leads a Visceral Manipulation Study Group at Back 2 Normal Physical Therapy during the spring season, mentoring advanced visceral practitioners on Florida’s west coast. Since 2011, Kirsten has volunteered as a physical therapist and coach for ultrarunners, recently assisting in the training and rehabilitation of the third-fastest ultrarunner to cross the United States. In her downtime, she enjoys reading books like The 5am Club by Robin Sharma and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, listening to podcasts such as The Daily and Huberman Lab, and relaxing to 40s jazz, 80s alternative, and classical music.
What Clients Say
I’ve spent a long time knowing I needed deep levels of healing, but many medical professionals overlooked my needs, dismissed my concerns, and left me feeling hopeless—especially after a car accident and many traumas. I can’t express enough gratitude to Lisa Chase and her team at Back 2 Normal! They listen, prioritize your health, and focus on the root cause of your pain. Working with Dr. K, the visceral specialist, has been life-changing, and the heart rate variability test revealed critical insights I never knew. This is not your average physical therapy clinic—Lisa’s place is pure magic! Give them a call because life is too short not to thrive.
“Because of Lisa, I’m sure many injuries were prevented, and those that did happen saw a quick recovery. Her technique of using a holistic approach and addressing the body as a whole improved my overall abilities on the court. Physical therapists like Lisa Chase are a rare find.”
— Serena Williams, Professional Tennis Legend
Tessla Huffman
Professional Tennis Legend
WORK WITH KIRSTEN TODAY
Ready to take the first step toward a pain-free, active lifestyle? Work with Kirsten, and experience her innovative, whole-body approach to recovery and performance enhancement.
Whether you’re looking to overcome chronic pain, prevent injuries, or elevate your athletic performance, Kirsten’s expertise and personalized care will help you achieve your goals.
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today:
Take control of your health and well-being—Kirsten is here to guide you every step of the way!
Hear from our founder Lisa Chase:
Our Approach to Athlete Recovery
What to Expect:
A Comprehensive Approach to Athlete Recovery
Injuries don’t just affect your body; they challenge your mental resilience and threaten your ability to achieve your goals. Many athletes face the pressure to compete while injured or receive intermittent, generalized treatments that fail to address the root causes of their pain. Over time, these incomplete recovery strategies can lead to recurring injuries, shortened careers, and missed opportunities to fulfill your optimal potential.
Too often, athletic injury evaluations are performed at tournament/event sites under time constraints, with limited resources and a lack of individualized care. Combined with extensive travel and interactions with various healthcare providers, this approach compromises the continuity of care needed for lasting recovery and optimal performance. While these quick treatments may provide temporary relief, they often fail to deliver rapid pain reduction or prevent future injuries effectively.
At Back 2 Normal Physical Therapy, we address these gaps with a holistic, highly individualized approach. We provide continuity of care that follows you throughout your season, ensuring that every aspect of your recovery and performance is supported. Our model doesn’t just focus on treating the injury but on identifying and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to it. This comprehensive approach empowers you to recover fully, perform at your best, and achieve a longer, healthier athletic career.
Evidence suggests injury risk is multifactorial. The traditional approach of treating your injured body part alone does not address the complex factors involved in creating the injury and limiting recovery. At Back 2 Normal, we provide:
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
Rapid Pain Relief
Feel better quickly with our advanced hands-on treatments and technologies.
How We Are Different:
Comprehensive Care for Athletes
At Back 2 Normal Physical Therapy, we recognize that every athlete is unique, and so is their path to recovery and peak performance. Our innovative model goes beyond traditional approaches by conducting a comprehensive assessment to uncover the true causes of pain, dysfunction, and performance limitations. Here’s how we evaluate and treat athletes to optimize recovery and reduce the risk of future injuries:
Whole-Body Orthopedic Assessment
We examine your whole-body and musculoskeletal system to pinpoint the root causes of pain or injury and determine how it may be limiting your performance or recovery.
Whole-Body Orthopedic Assessment
We examine your whole-body and musculoskeletal system to pinpoint the root causes of pain or injury and determine how it may be limiting your performance or recovery.
Whole-Body Orthopedic Assessment
We examine your whole-body and musculoskeletal system to pinpoint the root causes of pain or injury and determine how it may be limiting your performance or recovery.
Whole-Body Orthopedic Assessment
We examine your whole-body and musculoskeletal system to pinpoint the root causes of pain or injury and determine how it may be limiting your performance or recovery.
Whole-Body Orthopedic Assessment
We examine your whole-body and musculoskeletal system to pinpoint the root causes of pain or injury and determine how it may be limiting your performance or recovery.
Whole-Body Orthopedic Assessment
We examine your whole-body and musculoskeletal system to pinpoint the root causes of pain or injury and determine how it may be limiting your performance or recovery.
Listen as Lisa explains her Sports Health Wheel and Our Approach to Working with Athletes
Our Injury Expertise
Our team has extensive experience and specializes in addressing the unique demands of athletic injuries, recognizing that each injury presents distinct challenges based on the sport, position, and level of play. Whether it’s the strain of repetitive motions, the toll of contact sports, or the pressures of returning to peak performance, our team is here to guide you through every step of recovery.
Our injury expertise includes:
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Spine Injuries
Athletes often experience sprains, strains, sciatica, and disc herniations from activities that demand dynamic movement, high impact, or awkward positions. These injuries can severely limit mobility, power, and overall performance, requiring expert care to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Athletes in Motion:
Real Results, Real Stories
Why Choose Back 2 Normal for Athlete Injury Recovery?
At Back 2 Normal Physical Therapy, we go beyond traditional care to provide a comprehensive, athlete-focused approach that supports your recovery, performance, and long-term wellness.
Here’s why athletes trust us:
Expertise with Elite Athletes
Holistic Approach
Tailored Care
Leading Community Partner
Proven Results
Expertise with Elite Athletes
Expertise with Elite Athletes
With experience working alongside professional and elite athletes across various sports, we deliver consistent, high-level care throughout your season to keep you at the top of your game.
Expertise with Elite Athletes
With experience working alongside professional and elite athletes across various sports, we deliver consistent, high-level care throughout your season to keep you at the top of your game.
Expertise with Elite Athletes
With experience working alongside professional and elite athletes across various sports, we deliver consistent, high-level care throughout your season to keep you at the top of your game.
Exclusive Athlete Benefits
In addition to our expert care, we offer exclusive opportunities to enhance your recovery and performance:
Membership Opportunities
Local Partnerships
Take advantage of our collaborations with local providers to access additional services and products that support your athletic goals.
Educational Resources
Stay informed and ahead of the competition with Back 2 Normal On Demand, featuring expert tips and insights to help you prevent injuries and maximize your potential.
Membership Opportunities
Membership Opportunities
We understand that athletes need fast, effective solutions to get back to training and competition as quickly as possible. That’s why our tailored membership plans give athletes priority booking for same-day or next-day appointments, ensuring quick access to our team of specialists when you need it most.
Membership Opportunities
We understand that athletes need fast, effective solutions to get back to training and competition as quickly as possible. That’s why our tailored membership plans give athletes priority booking for same-day or next-day appointments, ensuring quick access to our team of specialists when you need it most.
Membership Opportunities
We understand that athletes need fast, effective solutions to get back to training and competition as quickly as possible. That’s why our tailored membership plans give athletes priority booking for same-day or next-day appointments, ensuring quick access to our team of specialists when you need it most.
Speak With A Whole-Body Certified Specialist Today
Have you been told to just live with your pain?
Have you lost hope of finding a solution to relieve your pain?
If you answered “Yes” to either of these questions, it’s time to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced Physical Therapists. We’ll provide a thorough whole-body evaluation, diagnose the issue, develop a personalized treatment plan, and work with you one-on-one to help you get Back 2 Normal!
Call our office now at 727-698-1662 or request an appointment.
Send us a message
