Physical Therapy

What is Physical Therapy?

The treatment of physical dysfunction through the use of therapeutic exercise, functional training, and/or the application of modalities.

What is the goal of physical therapy?

The goal of physical therapy is to develop and maintain the capacity to perform, with satisfaction, the activities of daily living that are important to you!

What is the focus of physical therapy?Physical Therapy

  • Fall Prevention
  • Wellness Promotion
  • Improve Mobility
  • Enhance Cardiovascular Fitness
  • Posture re-education
  • Improve Quality of Life
  • Patient and caregiver education

What do Physical Therapists Treat?

  • Muscular weakness
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Pain
  • Balance deficits
  • Difficulty walking
  • Postural changes
  • Functional limitations
    • Bed mobility
    • Transfers
    • Ascending/descending stairs

*A physical therapy program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient and caregiver!

What can I expect from a physical therapy program at the UF Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration?

Strengthening

Bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity strengthening to help move your body in the environment, generate forces needed to transfer safely, and to remain active in your lifestyle.

Flexibility

Various stretches to give patients the appropriate motion at each joint and in each muscle in order to move without limitations.

ptBalance

Sitting balance activities, Static standing balance activities (single limb stance, tandem standing, standing on compromised surface) and Dynamic balance activities (balance with perturbations, ball toss) to help patients regain control over their bodies. Balance exercises are an important component in fall prevention.

Gait Training

Work to utilize all appropriate phases of gait cycle (Increased step length, increased cadence, and arm swing). Practice walking techniques with distractions. Progress from straight-line gait in static environment to dynamic gait in variable environments. Physical therapists can also prescribe appropriate devices that can assist with walking such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.

Transfer Training

Specific tasks to improve rolling side to side in bed, moving from sitting to standing and other transfer issues. Patients are trained how to break each task into component parts.

Education

A great deal of therapy evaluation and treatment time is dedicated to patient, caregiver, and family education. Therapists work to improve quality of life by making recommendations and providing resources.