Achieving an active and healthy lifestyle after an injury, illness or other condition sometimes requires medical rehabilitation. Medical rehabilitation benefits patients with a wide variety of diagnoses including orthopedics, trauma, pediatric, neurologic impairments, arthritic conditions, work-related injuries, sports injuries, lymphedema, pelvic dysfunction and cardiovascular impairments.
Health First Medical Rehabilitation provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services
to patients.
“Working hand-in-hand with primary care physicians, specialists, pediatricians, and occupational medicine physicians, as well as employers and insurance providers, our goal is to return patients to the best possible condition, and promote a healthy and safe lifestyle,” said Vikki Vasquez, Health First Director of Rehabilitation Services.
Health First is the only provider of the SMART EquiTest in Brevard County. This technology was initially used by NASA to test the balance of astronauts.
“This interactive technology with its clinically proven protocols will allow our therapists to isolate specific causes of balance impairments and functional problems.” Vikki said.
The computerized protocols enable therapists to objectively differentiate between various sensory and motor system impairments and treat those problems.
Treatment goals are specific to each patient’s diagnosis, problems identified and personal needs. Goals are objective and measurable so patients can monitor their progress at each treatment session.
Goals may include increasing range of motion and strengthening an extremity following injury or surgery, decreasing pain with treatment modalities such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or iontophoresis, improving gross and fine motor skills of children so they can participate in home and school activities, or education in body mechanics or energy conservation to perform self-care, work, or leisure activities successfully.
