Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy is an alternative form of rehabilitation that utilizes a low-impact environment for exercise and treatment. Patients are able to gain strength, flexibility, endurance and mobility in a comfortable and pain-free environment. The properties of water including, elevated therapeutic temperatures, hydrostatic pressure, fluid resistance and buoyancy, enable the therapist and patient to perform activities in a unique atmosphere that may allow for a quicker, less painful recovery.

• Elevated therapeutic temperatures allow for an environment that helps relax muscles, helps decrease muscle spasms, helps to relieve pain and also helps increase range of motion.
• Hydrostatic pressure reduces swelling, helps stabilize joints, and slows down movements, which helps the patient relearn the physical actions required to make certain movements such as walking.
• Fluid resistance allows for improvement in balance and strength, and increases sensory awareness.
• Buoyancy counteracts the patient’s body weight, relieving the joint of stress and pressure, allowing movements to be less painful.

Aquatic therapy is also useful because the properties of water provide an environment in which patients can practice walking and balance without the concern of falling. Our pool is equipped with a chair-lift for patients who require increased assistance for safe entry/exit. For the more advanced patient, the pool is equipped with a therapy jet, which offers a resisted current for those wishing to build strength and stamina.

Aquatic therapy is useful in treating many different conditions including:

[+]Conditions Treated