BENEFITS --> Programs

How can the Aquatic & Restorative Physical Therapy Program Benefit your patients?

1. Help them regain their functional capabilities following injury or illness through aquatic and/or physical therapy.
2. Help them to sustain their gains made in therapy through transition to our affordable fitness and aquatic program.
3. Help them improve their overall health and well being through regular participation in our comprehensive range of group classes and individual instruction.

Who can benefit from aquatic and/or physical therapy?
Anyone with a physical impairment or disability, which can be minimized or eliminated by the required clinical decision making and treatment skills of a licensed physical therapist.

What is the cost of therapy?

1. With a doctor's prescription, Medicare and most private insurance accepted.
2. Depending on the patient's current health plan, a co-pay or other out-of-pocket payment may be required.

How many therapy visits are recommended?
This depends on the physician diagnosis, the therapist's evaluation and the type of medical insurance coverage.

What is the difference between aquatic and physical therapy?
Aquatic therapy is physical therapy performed in water. The therapeutic advantages of water such as buoyancy, thermal conductivity, and resistance are used to assist in reaching therapy goals. For instance, it is easier to move a weak body part in the water due to buoyancy than on land. For patients experiencing painful movement on land, aquatic physical therapy may allow treatment in the more comfortable, less gravity-bearing environment of water.

What are the benefits of a SwimEx therapy pool?
In addition to our 88 degree large exercise/lap pool, our Aquatic & Restorative Physical Therapy outpatient clinic has a 92-94 degree SwimEx hydrotherapy pool. Our SwimEx has an even flowing variable speed current that allows buoyancy assisted and buoyancy resisted methods of treatment. It also has a variable depth, allowing for deep-water conditioning and traction protocols.

THERAPY PROGRAMS

All programs begin with a thorough evaluation on land. Ongoing evaluation to progress program and modify ration of land to water based therapy. Instruction and training in home exercise program.

1. Lumbar Stabilization:
   • Aquatic therapy is more tolerable than land-based exercise for patients with back pain due to axial unloading of the spine because of the buoyant effect of the water.
   • Protocol emphasizes lumbar stabilization and strengthening.
   • Water depth is modified to allow gradient levels of axial loading.
   • Deep-water traction for pain relief and additional axial unloading. Land therapy is critical to establish and progress a home exercise program.
   • Aquatic protocol incorporates total body conditioning.
   • The ratio of land to water therapy increases as the client is able to stabilize and safely work on ADL's.
2. Balance and Gait Disorders
   • Standardized assessment tools are used to objectify goal setting and achievement.
   • Warmth, buoyancy and 3-dimentional support of water provide a safe environment for someone who has balance challenges.
   • Water decreases protective reactions and guarding, which allows therapists to facilitate more normal gait and movement patterns.
3. Arthritis, Surgical Repair, Joint Arthroplasty
   • Warmth and buoyancy of water provide an immediate reduction of pain and enhances the ability to move.
   • Water provides the environment for increased joint ROM and muscle length.
   • Soft tissue and scar massage is effective in the water requiring less force.
   • In the water, patients with weight-bearing precautions can begin gait training earlier.
4. Nerve Entrapment/Repetitive Strain Injury
   • Modalities/manual therapy for pain reduction.
   • Strength training.
   • Aquatic therapy may provide the only arena comfortable for cardiovascular fitness training.
   • Breathing retraining and gentle nerve glides as appropriate.
   • Evaluation of work site or leisure activities and movement retraining to avoid re-injury.
5. Bowel and Bladder Health/Incontinence Prevention and Training
   • Using the approach of Janet Hulme, PT "Beyond Kegels."
   • Specific programs are designed to treat competitive athletes, pre- and post-partum women, peri-menopausal women, men, frail and active elderly.
   • Aquatic therapy may provide the only arena comfortable for walking and necessary exercise.
   • Breathing retraining and autonomic nervous system quieting are critical parts.
   • Evaluation using EMG Biofeedback is being developed at this time.

In summary, water provides a safe place for protected and guided motion to begin, without overly stressing the joint, site of injury and/or surgical repair. The comfort of water allows the patient to begin moving earlier in the healing process, which can decrease overall recovery time. Finally, the added resistance of water provides an arena for progressive strength training.

To encourage discharged therapy patients to maintain an active lifestyle they are given a Fitness & Aquatic Center membership discount.