Our Physical Therapists are all about movement— whether in the clinic or in the pool, where water is a great medium for movement.

What?

Aquatic Therapy uses water as a modality for movement to progress a person’s functional ability. Water is a great medium because it supports the body, reduces joint stress, and can be used to add resistance or assistance to movement depending on the task.

Who?

Children who have sensory processing difficulties, low tone, poor coordination or muscle strength, and decreased range of motion or endurance could all benefit from aquatic therapy. Also, kids recovering from surgery, recent cast removal, or those who have chronic pain are appropriate candidates. Oftentimes, the pool is used to help center or calm children with Autism since it is in a therapeutic pool that is heated. We currently use the pool at McMenamin’s Anderson School, across the street from our clinic, for aquatic therapy sessions.

Benefits?

Benefits of aquatic therapy include improved muscle strength, increased heart/cardiovascular function, decreased swelling, increased circulation, increased endurance. Aquatic therapy can also work on increasing range of motion/flexibility, as well as balance, coordination, vestibular, motor planning, and body awareness skills.

Pool vs. Clinic?

In the pool our PTs can work on different skills than in the clinic, using the water as a tool. The pool also offers the following properties that being on land doesn’t: buoyancy, heat, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance.

Buoyancy:
Provides assistance and support to decrease the force of gravity. This is especially helpful for a person to move more easily with decreased stress on muscles, joints, and bones. Aquatic therapy is often recommended after surgery to strengthen muscles and start weight-bearing.

Heat:
Aquatic therapy is in a heated pool ranging from 94-96 degrees. This helps relax muscles and is the perfect environment to work on a range of motion.

Hydrostatic pressure:
The water surrounds the body and helps circulate blood, which can often help with swelling in the ankles and feet.

Resistance:
The resistance from the water allows for improvement in balance and strength. On land, resistance is only felt in one direction, whereas in the water you can provide resistance in all directions. The resistance also increases sensory awareness.

In the pool our PTs are able to work on different skills than in the clinic. They like it because it has many benefits for youngsters with strength, balance, and sensory issues. For children with physical disabilities, it allows them to be free and float in the water without having to be confined to a wheelchair. The pool environment often has fewer distractions, as patient and therapist are surrounded by water, allowing them to focus on a single skill at a time.

It’s fun – plain and simple =) Read more on our aquatic therapy flyer>>

If you’re interested in aquatic therapy for your child, contact us to schedule a Physical Therapy evaluation today.