Aquatic therapy is a specialized form of therapy.    Water improves motion and flexibility.  The warmth of the water (93-94 F) allows muscles to relax while helping to reduce pain.  The natural buoyancy reduces gravitational pull and lessens compressive forces, up to 90% reduction of your normal weight, hence making exercises much easier to perform than on land.  Best of all, aquatic therapy can be used even if a patient does not know how to swim.

Water can be excellent environment for patients who have difficulty with weight bearing activities due to, recent surgery, arthritis, recent fracture, sprain/strains, or excessive weight. There is no other method of exercising available that creates a near zero gravity setting.

BENEFITS OF AQUATIC PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Warm water facilitates muscle relaxation and increases peripheral circulation.
• Viscosity of water provides resistance for strength training.
• Warm water stimulates body awareness, balance, and trunk stability.
• The reduction of gravitational forces are reduced in the pool, allowing for early gait training and strength exercises without causing further damage to the healing structures.
• Warm water and buoyancy results in decreased pain sensitivity.
• Improvement of patient morale and confidence can be established by providing a positive medium in which to   function.