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Aquatic Physical Therapy
What is aquatic physical therapy?
Aquatic physical therapy uses the physical properties of water, specifically buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and viscosity, to enable patients to achieve benefits more quickly and painlessly than activities done on land.
Aquatic physical therapy is rehabilitation that is done in a heated pool of water at LifePointe.
The temperature of the therapeutic pool ranges from 92-94 degrees providing a comfortable environment for patients. The air surrounding the pool is also heated for the comfort of the patient.
It is important to note that a person does not need to be a swimmer to participate in an aquatic rehabilitation program. Individualized exercise instruction is given by licensed physical therapists who are trained in aquatic physical therapy.
What are the benefits of aquatic physical therapy?
- Increased range of motion
- Increased muscle strength
- Increased overall endurance and mobility
- Promotes weight loss
- Increased comfort in exercising
- Decrease in pain
- Decreased joint compression
- Improved motivation, decreased stress
- Improved circulation
- Decreased muscle spasms, decrease in muscle tone
- Increased flexibility
Early joint movement is possible in water even if you are experiencing pain.
Water supports the body and reduces stress to joints so you can strengthen and tone your muscles while your injury heals.
Who benefits from aquatic physical therapy?
Aquatic physical therapy can benefit individuals suffering from:
- Sprains and strains
- Sports injuries
- Tendonitis and bursitis
- Arthritis
- Pre- and post-operation
- Neck and back pain
- Degenerative diseases
- Postural deviations
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Repetitive strain disorders
- Fractures
- Pregnant women
- Post-mastectomy patients
- Chronic pain
- Joint replacement
