UF Health Rehabilitation Services: Helping patients live life to the fullest, one session at a time

When everyday tasks become difficult, walking becomes a challenge and falls become more frequent, it’s hard to live life to the fullest. That’s why UF Health Rehabilitation – Jacksonville works hard to improve the quality of life for patients. Over the past year, the department has upgraded and expanded its facility to offer the best care possible.

UF Health Rehabilitation comprises of physical, speech and occupational therapists. “We work together,” said Jeanne Bradshaw, director. “People who have had devastating health issues like a stroke, a head injury or a severe trauma injury, many times will need all three of our services.”

As part of the expansion, the department renovated its existing space on 8th Street and added new balance exercise equipment for neurologic patients. As part of a Level I trauma center, the facility sees a lot of severe neurologic injuries.

“Those are some of the most life-changing injuries that need a lot of rehab,” Bradshaw said. “The quality of rehab makes a huge difference in the patient’s outcome.”

The NeuroCom® Balance Master System is one of the newest machines that helps determine a patient’s center of gravity position and improves postural control. The other addition is a RT300, an electric stem bike that uses electrodes attached to the body to stimulate different muscle groups in the arms and legs.

The majority of these upgrades are part of the hospital’s new comprehensive Balance and Mobility Program developed by the UF Health Rehabilitation and Neurology departments. This program offers individualized assessment and treatment for a variety of conditions that may increase the risk of falls. The team approach and new equipment will help uncover the underlying factors that lead to a loss of balance in patients.

“We are fortunate to now offer the comprehensive balance program, which gives therapists the opportunity to quantitatively measure and track various balance deficits and progress throughout rehab,” said Heather Barksdale, a neurologic physical therapist.

In December 2015, Barksdale began working with Robert Nuss, MD, former dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. A year prior, Nuss started experiencing abnormal gait, balance issues and a feeling of pins and needles in his legs.

After working with neurologist Michael Pulley, MD, for a year, Nuss was diagnosed with idiopathic neuropathy — a condition where nerve damage interferes with the peripheral nervous system. While there is no cure, physical therapy was recommended to help lessen his symptoms. Barksdale worked with Nuss for eight weeks to help develop his strength, flexibility and balance.

When Nuss began physical therapy, he had limited range of motion in his ankles, decreased lower extremity strength and significant balance impairments. After his therapy, Nuss’ lower extremities were stronger, his ankles had better range of motion and his balance scores had improved.

“Physical therapy did improve my walking, standing and balance,” Nuss said. “The staff was timely and courteous, and they had the latest state-of-the-art equipment to help me.” Nuss was an avid tennis player prior to his diagnosis. After physical therapy, he was able to return to playing doubles.

“Often when individuals start to have balance issues, they ignore it until a major injury occurs and stops the activities they love to do altogether,” Barksdale said. “Dr. Nuss is a great example of how you can often work through these challenges to continue the activities you love. It just takes hard work and a little guidance from us.”

In addition to the upgrades at the UF Health Jacksonville location, UF Health Rehabilitation – Emerson is also relocating to a larger space. The new area will be about 10,000 square feet and is expected to open next spring.

“One of the things we’ll be working on at Emerson is expanding our specialty services,” Bradshaw said. “Historically, a lot of our board-certified specialists have been at the Pavilion. So one of our goals is to capitalize on the space and have neurology, oncology and women’s health specialists available.”

Learn more about UF Health Rehabilitation by visiting UFHealthJax.org/rehabilitation-services.