Physical therapy can be performed in an aquatic environment for several reasons. When the body is immersed in water, a certain level of buoyancy is achieved which provides the body additional support and comfort. In addition, it relieves physical stress on the joints, increases flexibility, and provides resistance for strengthening purposes. Conditions that favor or may benefit well from aquatic therapy include:

• Severe or widespread osteoarthritis making regular exercise/activities too painful to perform
• Weakness or widespread muscular pain reducing the amount of available movement in regular exercises/activities.
• Compression issues with discs in the neck or back in upright or weight-bearing positions.
• General overall resistance strengthening of multiple muscle groups that are better worked together in a functional manner.
• Strengthening of specific muscles or muscle groups that are difficult to isolate regular land-based activities.
• An enclosed environment of a comfortable warm temperature improves the ability to participate in therapeutic activities.

Many of the activities will be similar to land-based exercises; some will be unique to pool-based therapy. Foam weights, flotation devices, underwater surfaces of varying heights and jet-stream resistance may be used for some of the activities and exercises.

Aquatic therapy is used for:

1. Stretching and muscle strengthening
2. Endurance building and aerobic-conditioning
3. Trunk and spine stabilization
4. Balance and coordination training
5. Functional activities/tolerance training

The appropriate treatment activities for treatment visits will be determined by a physical therapist on the first visit when the patient's initial evaluation is performed. Instruction is then provided by the appropriately trained therapy staff during the treatment sessions. Aquatic programs/sessions are 30 minutes in length, unless specified otherwise.
We have showers and lockers available in both restrooms. Locks are not provided, so patients should bring their own locks if they wish to use a locker. We recommend a swimsuit or dark shirt and shorts of light-weight material be worn during the aquatic therapy session. A hydraulic lift is available to help with entry and exit from the pool for those unable to use a regular pool ladder. Further detailed written instructions regarding aquatic therapy procedures are given out at the end of the first day, the day of the initial evaluation.

Pool-based treatment provides a comfortable and effective avenue for physical therapy. The path to restoration of function and health is made smoother with the availability of Aquatic Therapy.