What is Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic therapy is a specialized form of physical or occupational therapy. For years, therapists have realized positive results when applying this water modality to a variety of patient populations. Water has been, and still remains, the best environment to achieve full function regardless of the injury. Water improves motion and flexibility. The warmth of the water and its massaging effects allow muscles to relax while helping to reduce pain. The natural buoyancy reduces gravitational pull and lessens compressive forces, 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.

Benefits of Aquatic 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 in the pool allows the patient to stand and begin gait training and strengthening exercises without causing further damage to 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.

Aquatic Rehabilitation
Our aquatic rehabilitation program consists of supervised exercises performed in the water. Swimming is not a prerequisite skill. Patients can perform each exercise while standing in the water, holding onto the side of the pool or using a flotation device. The water provides a safe and effective method for healing injuries, restoring patient confidence and increasing mobility with each completed exercise.

Aquatic Rehabilitation may be prescribed specifically for:
. Low back pain
. Joint paint from sports or daily repetitive activities
. Neurological and orthopedic injuries
. Post-surgical debilitation
. Muscle weakness secondary to chronic or acute injury or illness

Water therapy offers several benefits, especially to those with joint pain and chronic back pain. If pain has kept you off your feet, try exercising in the water, you may be surprised how comfortable and beneficial it is.

Freedom Rehab
941-400-1505
3545 Massini Ave., North Port