If there is one thing that is synonymous with Florida, it is golf. there are over 1,000 golf courses in Florida, more than any other state. When you combine that with the great weather, zero state income taxes, and a 20-year boom in the sport’s popularity, there’s no wonder why Florida is America’s mecca of golf.
The Venetian Bay community (and surrounding area) loves its golf, and there is no shortage of golfers that want nothing more than to take advantage of improving their game. Whether it is to gain more distance with drives or reduce pain during the round, a physical therapist can create a program that helps you achieve these goals. The game of golf has experienced a wave of advancements in sports science, particularly in kinesiology, biomechanics, and physiology. Furthermore, physical therapists are “movement specialists” and are well trained with a vast array of knowledge when it comes to human body motion. Many golfers and other athletes may hold a common misconception about physical therapy: that it is simply rehabilitation after sustaining injury. The practitioners at Blue Water Therapy in New Smyrna Beach, owned and operated by Sandy Huggard, would suggest that it is much more.
“Physical therapy encompasses a lot of different areas,” said Sandy. ” A patient might come in with an orthopedic injury, neurological issues or even vertigo (dizziness), and we have therapists who specialize in various areas of physical therapy to address each of these issues; we have a diverse of group of people who have a diverse set of talents.”
One of those talents is the specialization of in the detection, assessment, and treatment of issues with mobility, strength, and range of motion of the golfer. Blue Water Therapy has clinicians who are certified by the Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), the world’s premier educational organization in golf-related sports science.
“TPI discovered has a properly functioning body allow a player to swing a golf club in the most efficient way possible,” said Stacey Gill, a Blue Water therapist. ” They analyze how physical limitations in a players’ bodies can adversely affect the golf swing and potentially lead to injury.”
According to Stacey, TPI’s mission is to ‘educate golfers and industry professionals on the body-swing connection through its one-of-a-kind certification program.” This is especially important to Blue Water Therapy because of its team-oriented approach; a collaboration between golf professionals, trainers, and therapists- incorporating TPI training-to maximize not only the health and well-being of golfers but also the longevity and enjoyment of the sport.
Blue Water Therapy utilizes a head-to-toe approach of assessing movement efficiency. When it comes to the golf swing, efficiency equals power, distance, and accuracy. They take each golfer through a 16-point movement screen to identify faulty stability and altered mobility patterns. Then, based on their findings, they create a program specifically designed to address each golfer’s needs. In the past Blue Water Therapy has worked with Tommy Strickland. When Tommy came to Blue Water Therapy, he complained of shoulder pain and instability of the trunk following bariatric surgery. As a result, he had lost power and distance with his golf swing and was beginning to get discouraged. That is when he noticed a post on Facebook, where two therapists working for Blue Water Therapy, Maranda Tiffany and Stacey Gill, attended a TPI certification course. He immediately picked up the phone and called Blue Water Therapy to inquire about the program.
“I had worked with some TPI certified trainers in the past and it really made a difference in my game,” said Tommy. ” I am already on my way to getting my game back on track, thanks to the therapists at Blue Water.”
Blue Water Therapy doesn’t limit itself to its practice’ it also extends its philosophy to the community at large. Additionally, Blue Water Therapy has partnered the last few years with the Miracle League of Volusia County to host/participate in a charity golf tournament, which takes place yearly in November at the a local golf course. The Miracle League provides those with special needs an opportunity to realize their dream of playing baseball by establishing a specialized field that will accommodate wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment. This baseball field has been donated by the city of New Smyrna Beach and will be located at the NSB Sports Complex on Turnbull Bay Rd.
Whether you’re a recovering outpatient client or a golfer looking to up his or her game on the links, Blue Water Therapy is there for you and your community. They are a privately owned practice whose tax dollars stay local and whose goal is to promote healing, function, and quality of life by enhancing the ability to work, play, and get back to living. Please feel free to give them a call at 386-426-7885 or visit their website at physicaltherapynewsymrnabeach.com to schedule an appointment. Also, be sure to “Like” their Facebook page and share with friends and family. They are committed to providing compassionate, effective care and look forward to getting you back on the course. Fore!