William Ahlenius, M.D.

Dr. William Ahlenius was born and raised in Northern California. He received his medical degree at the University of California Davis Medical School and graduated in 2002. He completed his internship and residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2006, and he has been board-certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation since 2008.

Dr. Ahlenius is a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is also fluent in Spanish.

In 2010, Dr. Ahlenius joined the team at Physicians Diagnostics & Rehabilitation (PDR). He specializes in non-interventional treatments for patients with neck and back pain, within a multidisciplinary team, including physical and occupational therapists. His philosophy is to meet the individual where they are: in their pain experience, at their functional level, and on their path to wellness -– and go from there.

“Living with pain — whether it’s for months or years — can really disrupt a person’s life. Chronic pain changes people’s outlook on their abilities and what is possible for their life.

I was drawn to the specialty of Rehabilitation Medicine because it focuses on seeing the potential in everybody. In treating patients with neck and back pain, we can provide tools and education to help manage pain, promote healing, build strength, and prevent future injury. We also teach independent pain management strategies, which are a big part of empowering our patient’s functional skills, so they can live full and independent lives.

For me, the most satisfying part of my work is discharging a patient and seeing them get back not just to work, but to the activities, people, and life they enjoy.”

Dr. Ahlenius lives in Minneapolis with his partner, Susan Pagani, a writer and creative director at Ingredient, a digital food media company. They enjoy gardening, fixing up their 100-year-old house, travel, running, and of course, eating. They have a catahoula leopard dog named Django — he also (especially!) enjoys eating.