Aquatic therapy allows patients to improve their mobility, strength, and function due to the buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance of the water. Many patients cannot tolerate land-based exercises at the beginning of their rehab program, so aquatic therapy is an excellent choice to begin implementation of their plan of care.
The buoyancy of the water allows for decreased loading on joints, which enables patients to tolerate exercises without as much joint irritation and pain. The hydrostatic pressure assists with swelling as this produces compression forces around the affected area to assist in reduction of the swelling. The resistance provided by the water allows for efficient strengthening, range of motion, and gait training. Some of the many common symptoms that aquatic therapy can address include:
At your initial appointment, your therapist will perform a thorough evaluation, taking into account your medical history along with your specific goals. A plan of care will then be developed, that may be a combination of aquatic therapy and land-based treatment or just solely aquatic therapy. You will meet your therapist at the warm water therapy pool to begin your aquatic therapy session. You will be treated directly by your therapist throughout your aquatic session and be provided with the appropriate level of assistance. Aquatic therapy is exercise in the water with specific emphasis on rehabilitation. This is different then swimming, so your inability to swim does not alter what activities you can perform in the water. We will provide the appropriate level of assistance for each patient in the aquatics program.
Our dedicated team of therapists strive to provide you the excellence and care needed to help you attain your goals. The use of aquatic therapy is highly valued with patients needing specialized care due to their condition or illnesses. Our therapists have been specifically trained to provide you care in an aquatic environment as well as to establish the reasoning and goals for choosing this form of rehabilitation. We are sensitive to those patients who are fearful of the water and will provide hands-on care. We want you to be comfortable so you will excel in your treatment environment and reach your goals.
