Aquatics therapy

Physical Therapy with
Aquatic Therapy

Clinicians created aquatics therapy with individual patients in mind. Through much experience and research, physical therapists found that many patients were in too much pain to be fully mobile, or due to their condition (i.e. pregnancy, obesity, old age) were unable to work at their maximum capacity. This led to slower recovery. Aquatics therapy is an evidence-based practice used to treat, rehabilitate, prevent, heal, and restore an individual’s maximum capabilities in order to complete their daily activities. The practice is carried out with or without assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective or supportive devices and equipment. With the uniqueness of its properties, aquatics therapy enhances the patient’s rehabilitation in their musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, pulmonary, as well as integumentary system conditions.

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Goals of Aquatic Therapy

Goals of aquatics therapy include improved function, aerobic capacity, endurance conditioning, improved balance, coordination and agility, focus on the body mechanics and postural stabilization, patient flexibility, improved gait and locomotion, relaxation, muscle strength, power and endurance. The beauty of this therapy is that it is water specific, making the patient 80% weightless. It can treat a patient’s acute, transient and chronic conditions at any level. At Classic Rehabilitation, Inc. we have the resources to treat patients after an illness, injury or surgery with aquatics therapy. Aquatics therapy supports the patient’s body by reducing stress on their joints while providing resistance with assistance to be moveable.

Our patients have also seen improvement in the swelling (edema) around the site of injury and amplified circulation. Physical therapy is not just about the body healing physically, but it is also about the patient’s mental, emotional, psychosocial and physiological well-being. Some patients at our rehab center who greatly benefit from aquatics therapy suffer from:

  • Repetitive stress disorders
  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Guillain barré syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Muscular dystrophy

Differences in Therapy

Moreover, here are the four main differences between aquatics therapy and traditional physical therapy on land:

Conclusively, aquatics therapy presents the least amount of risk for a patient, except for patients who may have a respiratory or dermatological condition. Some patients may find the breathing difficult or others may develop a skin rash. To avoid any variability in a patient’s treatment we strongly recommend a patient disclose their full past medical history to both their physician and physical therapist.

  • Buoyancy
    Providing support and assistance for patients. Decreases gravitational forces placed on weak limbs that are less able to bear weight. Decreases joint stress and increases mobility.
  • Hydrostatic pressure
    Water helps circulate blood through the heart and lower extremities. Reduces swelling.
  • Heat
    Aquatics therapy is provided in a heated pool; temperatures range from 88 to 92 degrees. Warm water relaxes muscles.
  • Resistance
    Improves balance and strength in all muscles in all directions. On land a muscle can only move in one direction at one time. This also improves sensory function.

Questions and concerns
about aquatic therapy

Contact Classic Rehabilitation today for your aquatic therapy questions and concerns or visit one of our convenient locations in Arlington, Bedford or Grand Prairie. Our physical therapy facility is all-inclusive with aquatics therapy and more.

Client Testimonials

Our team at Classic Rehabilitation, Inc. is dedicated to each of our patients.