Golf Rehabilitation Program for Mobility Disorders
UF Health Rehabilitation – Emerson offers a specialized golf and exercise program designed for individuals
with movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors. The program addresses symptoms,
such as impaired balance, poor movement coordination, tremor, muscle rigidity or stiffness, slowed motion
and instability, which often can limit participation in recreational activities.
Emerging research shows golf has a large and measurable benefit on quality of life, movement coordination
and balance, and helps reduce fall risk in Parkinson’s patients.
Patients work with board-certified physical therapists who specialize in neurology and orthopaedics.
The
neurology-based sessions focus on alleviating impairments related to the movement disorder. The orthopaedic
sessions are designed by an experienced golf instructor and former collegiate golfer to strengthen specific
golf skills and improve overall performance.
A bodyweight-supported harness system and a netted turf area offer a safe and therapeutic environment
during
sessions. Each session includes an evaluation and treatment, with the goal of returning patients safely
to the golf course.
Call (904) 427-8900 to learn more and to schedule an appointment.
Hand Therapy
Hand therapy is designed to optimize functional recovery of the upper extremity
following injury, surgery, or disease process.
The certified hand therapists with the UF Health Jacksonville Occupational Therapy
department provide comprehensive rehabilitation of the upper extremity for various
diagnoses. Our hand therapists provide several treatment options, including:
- Adaptive equipment
- Custom splinting
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Pain management.
- Personalized upper extremity home exercises
- Post-operative management
- Serial casting
- Strengthening
The hand therapy program treats a variety of conditions that include:
- Fracture healing
- Hand stiffness
- Joint deformity
- Joint dislocations
- Ligament injury
- Nerve and tendon repair
- Repetitive strain injury
- Tendon transfers
- Tendonitis
Related: Hand and Upper Extremity
Surgery
Lymphedema Therapy
The certified lymphedema therapists in the outpatient lymphedema therapy program
work with patients to provide individualized care to decrease swelling and increase
overall mobility and quality of life. The lymphedema therapist may provide several
treatment options including post-operative management, compression bandaging and
individualized home exercise programs.
Neurologic Rehabilitation
The outpatient neurological rehabilitation program provides physical, occupational
and/or speech therapy to patients. These services are evidence-based with an emphasis
on patient involvement for continued health and injury prevention and include:
- Active exercise
- Balance training
- Functional training
- Gait training
- Manual and massage therapy when appropriate
- Vestibular rehabilitation programs
The neurological rehabilitation program includes services for individuals with:
The neurologic rehabilitation program also works closely with the
UF Health Neuroscience Institute to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary
care for patients with neurological conditions. Multidisciplinary clinics have been
established for patients with Parkinson's disease and ALS. These clinics offer the
advantage various support services for patients including medical, nursing, dietary,
social work and rehabilitation services.
In addition, UF Health Jacksonville also offers patients with neurological conditions
access to several support groups and classes to improve their quality of life.
Related: Neurology,
Neurosurgery
Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
UF Health Rehabilitation offers a comprehensive and integrated rehabilitation approach
for patients with general orthopedic injuries as well as for athletes with sports-related
injuries. Our highly trained staff provide a wide range of services to ensure your
success. Services are evidence-based with an emphasis on patient involvement for
continued health management and injury prevention and include:
- Active exercise
- Biomechanical evaluation
- Body mechanics education
- Functional and core training
- Manual therapy
- Soft tissue mobilization
Orthopedic rehabilitation may be appropriate for patients with:
- Neck or low back pain
- Repetitive-use injuries
- Sprains or strains
- Surgical repair (rotator cuff, meniscus repair)
- Total joint replacement
Related: Orthopaedic
Surgery
Speech-Language Pathology
The outpatient speech therapy department provides diagnostic and treatment services
for adults and children a variety of impairments with speech, language, swallowing
and cognition. The speech therapy program can be used to treat a wide variety of
conditions including:
- Aphasia
- Dysarthria
- Dysphagia
- Memory deficits
- Post-laryngectomy
- Traumatic brain injury
- Voice disorders
The outpatient rehabilitation services department offers a speech-language pathogist
certified in vital stimulation for dysphagia and tracheoesopahageal prosthesis fitting
for patients following laryngectomy. They also perform modified barium swallow studies
and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing to assist in examination of an
individual's ability to swallow. Speech-language pathologists are also certified
in SPEAK OUT!® and The LOUD Crowd® for patients with Parkinson’s disease and related
neurological disorders.
The SPEAK OUT!® and The LOUD Crowd® therapy regimens were developed at Parkinson Voice Project in Richardson, TX. Visit the Parkinson Voice Project's website →
Wheelchair Evaluation
The outpatient occupational therapy department has an assistive technology practitioner
who specializes in wheelchair fitting and adaptations. This specialist works with
patients, their families and local equipment company representatives to determine
the most appropriate and clinically necessary mobility equipment. Assistive technology
assessments are offered for both adult and pediatric patients.
We have the ability to meet the simplest to the most complex positioning needs of
the end user. In addition, we own a computer-enhanced pressure mapping system to
determine the specific needs of those individuals with pressure wounds. The wheelchair
clinic offers the ability to provide an in-depth assessment including trials with
equipment. However, in the event that the patient is unable to come in for assessment,
a home assessment can be arranged.
The assistive technology specialist will complete an individualized assessment of
the patient, complete equipment trials prior to recommendation of appropriate equipment,
and involve the participating supplier in the process to expedite delivery.
In addition, our wheelchair services include a complete and thorough evaluation
in a timely manner, pressure mapping, equipment trials, final fittings and adaptive
equipment training as well as evaluation for manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs
and environmental control units.
Women's Health Rehabilitation
Women have unique medical needs that often require specialized physical rehabilitation
services. Our physical therapists provide a wide variety of treatments including
pelvic floor strengthening using biofeedback, electrical stimulation and proven
behavior modification techniques, osteoporosis programs, manual therapy, body mechanics
training and postural education. The women's health rehabilitation program treats
the following conditions:
- Colorectal dysfunction
- Gender-affirming care
- Obstetric and postpartum difficulties
- Overactive bladder
- Pain during intercourse
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Pelvic pain
- Post-radiation recovery
- Urinary and/or fecal incontinence
Services offered:
- Behavior modification—schedule toileting, bladder training, died and fluid management
- Body mechanics training and postural education
- Electrical stimulation
- Myofascial release/trigger point release
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- Pelvic floor re-education using biofeedback
- Therapeutic exercise
Please email Eliza Rivera at Eliza.Rivera@jax.ufl.edu or call 904-244-1274 for more information or to schedule
an appointment.
Related: Women's Services