What is Aquatic Physical Therapy?

Aquatic Physical Therapy provides a wide range of patients the opportunity to gain functional progress while using a medium that lessens physical stress on the body and discomfort of the patient during treatment.  Aquatic sessions are provided in a heated pool by a licensed PT or PTA who develop individualized care plans similar to land based physical therapy. Exercises in the water results in less stress on the joints and allow movements that are too difficult with land based treatment programs.

Aquatic therapy utilizes the unique properties of water such as:

• Buoyancy – buoyancy counteracts the downward pull of gravity, giving the patient a sense of weight loss
•  Reduces Stress, Impact, and Friction Between Joints – water exercise reduces the stress, impact and friction between the joints and injured soft tissue or bone, allowing performance of exercises and activities that are intolerable in a land-based program
•  Support and Stability for Muscles and Joints – by varying the patient’s orientation or direction of motion, therapists can help patients utilize water for support with increasing range of motion, as well as for resistance and strengthening of specific muscle groups
• Supportive Environment – water provides a supportive environment to assist with postural awareness, ROM and ambulation
•  Resistance – through turbulence created by movement in the water, the trunk and extremities experience sensory input that assists with muscle recruitment and overall stability of the joints throughout the body
•  Hydrostatic Pressure – hydrostatic pressure is the force exerted on the body by water. This, in turn, helps decrease pain, which in turn increases range of motion.
•  Warmth – the warm water used in our pools helps stimulate blood flow and muscle movement.

What are the Physical Benefits of Aquatic Therapy?

• Increased Joint Flexibility
• Increased in Muscle Strength
• Decreased Pain
• Improved Balance
• Improved blood pressure and lung capacity
• Reduce Swelling

What are the indications for Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic therapy can provide benefits to patients recovering from a broad range of musculoskeletal and neurological problems, including:

• Post-Operative Joint Replacement
• Balance Problems
• Arthritis
• Muscle Weakness
• Limited Range of Motion
• Back Pain and Post-Operative Back Surgery
• Degenerative Joint Disease

Locations

Aquatic Therapy with Apex Physical Therapy is provided at the Airway Heights Parks and Rec Center.

Please Contact the Airway Heights (509)244-9968 Office for More Information or to Schedule Today!