The University of Florida Movement Disorders Center was established in July 2002 to bring together an interdisciplinary clinical team along with researchers with special expertise in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

The mission of the center is “To provide the highest level of medical and surgical care to patients with Parkinson’s disease, parkinsonism tremor, dystonia, ataxia, and other movement disorders. To perform research that will lead to better treatments, an enhanced quality of life for sufferers, and ultimately cures.”

The University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration combines clinicians and researchers from the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, neuroscience, neuropsychology, speech and communication disorders, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychiatry, neuropathology, social work, radiology, orthopaedics, and biomedical engineering.

Although medication is often used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, physical and occupational therapy intervention can help those with movement disorders maintain maximum function in day-to-day routines and enable them to live meaningful lives. The Shands therapists at the

UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration have extensive training in the complexity of movement disorders and the impact it has on the patient, caregiver and family.

Learn more about our staff.

Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy?
Science-driven, evidence-based therapy that enables people of all ages to:
– live life to its fullest
– maintain health
– prevent, or live better with illness, injury or disability

What methods do Occupational Therapists use?

Stretching and exercise
Modalities
Compensatory strategies
Education
Adaptive equipment recommendations
Energy conservation techniques
Activity analysis
Splinting
Positioning
Motor retraining

What are the goals for Occupational Therapy?
The goals for therapy are your goals. The occupational therapist will work to enable the individual to reach their maximum potential with:
Activities of daily living (ADL)
Dressing
Feeding
Grooming
Toileting
Bathing
Instrumental activities of daily living
Handwriting
Driving
Shopping
Housework
Taking medications
Telephone use
Work or school activities
Computer use
Handwriting
Repetitive tasks
Heavy tasks
Leisure and recreational activities

Physical Therapy

What is physical therapy?
The treatment of physical dysfunction through the use of science-driven, evidence-based exercises, 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?
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!

Ask us about our group exercise class!

Location

UF Movement Disorders Center
3450 Hull Road
Fourth Floor
Gainesville, FL  32607
Phone (352) 294-5400
Fax (352) 294-5399
Hours: 8:00-5:00  Monday - Friday  

More Information

For more information or to make an appointment at the UF Movement Disorders Center, call 352.294.5400.