Aquatic Therapy

What is Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic Therapy is a process of exercises or treatments performed in the water to help facilitate the improved function of movement.  Therapy is performed to increase range of motion and involves the use of resistance against the water.  Aquatic Therapy uses many types of techniques to improve strength, functional tasks, flexibility, coordination, and balance to ultimately provide improvement and healing to the body.  

What can Aquatic Therapy do for me?  Aquatic Therapy can assist a patient to reduce pain, create muscle relaxation, improve core strength, stability and mobility.  Conducting therapy in the water will allow for a patient to minimize weight bearing stress.  This can protect joints and have less pain while moving.  The force of the water also has benefits as it can decrease swelling and improve circulation.  This type of physical therapy can enhance the healing process and recovery time from an injury or surgery along with building muscle for strength and endurance.  A patient can see improved activity levels and healing to the body by participating in Aquatic Therapy.  

Benefits and Goals of Aquatic Therapy:

· Decrease pain

· Enhance healing process and recovery time

· Build strength and endurance

· Improve flexibility, ROM, and mobility

· Improve coordination and balance

· Improve gait

· Improve lymphatic circulation 

Who can benefit from Aquatic Therapy?

Those with... 

· Chronic pain

· Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis 

· Back pain

· Post-surgical rehab (once incisions fully heal)

· Difficulty walking or mobility restrictions

· Traumatic brain injury patients

· Car accident injuries

· Sports injury

· Muscle spasms

· Circulation problems

· Heart disease

· Stroke recovery

· Neurological conditions