Aquatic Therapy

Welcome to the Water and our world of Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy or pool therapy consists of an exercise program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance.

Aquatic Rehabilitation

At our facility our patients have the opportunity to exercise and work out in our 75 foot long 3.5 feet deep indoor heated Jr. Olympic-size pool. Ther is also a Jacuzzi spa for rehabilitation of pre and post operative procedures, gait and weight bearing difficulty due to arthritis or balance problems.   

Water Buoyancy is good for the Body

One benefit of aquatic therapy is the buoyancy provided by the water. When immersed to shoulder level, 80% of the body's effective gravity dissipates due to the buoyancy of the water. In turn, buoyancy reduces compressive forces on the joints, allowing those with chronic pain to move and walk with greater ease and increase their range of motion.

While submerged in water, buoyancy assists in supporting the weight of the patient. This decreases the amount of weight bearing which reduces the force of stress placed on the joints. This aspect of aquatic therapy is especially useful for patients with arthritis, healing fractured bones, or who are overweight. By decreasing the amount of joint stress it is easier and less painful to perform exercises.

Water provides an excellent source of resistance

The viscosity of water provides an excellent source of resistance that can be easily incorporated into an aquatic therapy exercise program. This resistance allows for muscle strengthening without the need of weights. Using resistance coupled with the water’s buoyancy allows a person to strengthen muscle groups with decreased joint stress that can not be experienced on land.

Decrease Swelling and Improve joint position awareness

Aquatic therapy also utilizes hydrostatic pressure to decrease swelling and improve joint position awareness. The hydrostatic pressure produces forces perpendicular to the body’s surface. This pressure provides joint positional awareness to the patient. As a result, patient proprioception is improved. This is important for patients who have experienced joint sprains, as when ligaments are torn, our proprioception becomes decreased. The hydrostatic pressure also assists in decreasing joint and soft tissue swelling that results after injury or with arthritic disorders.

Warm Water Increases Blood Flow and Circulation

Lastly, the warmth of the water experience during aquatic therapy assists in relaxing muscles and vasodilates vessels, increasing blood flow to injured areas. Warm water enhances muscular relaxation, which increases circulation, reduces swelling and promotes healing. Patients with muscle spasms, back pain, and fibromyalgia find this aspect of aquatic therapy especially therapeutic.