Aquatic Therapy

Physical Rehabilitation for Patients Who Have Trouble Exercising

Moving your muscles, tendons, and joints is a crucial part of most physical therapy programs. When that movement is difficult or when moving causes you pain, you might be less likely to complete the exercises your doctor prescribes.

Aquatic therapy can help. And at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center we have a robust aquatic therapy team that can help you take advantage of that help.

What Is Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy done in a swimming pool. This water therapy is designed to help you recover from an injury or illness, and it's appropriate for people of all ages.

During a water therapy session, you'll move through a series of aquatic therapy exercises while you're under the supervision of a registered, licensed physical therapist. A lifeguard will also be present.

The benefits of aquatic therapy include improved:

• Circulation
• Flexibility
• Heart rate
• Lung capacity
• Metabolic rate
• Mobility
• Muscle relaxation
• Strength

Aquatic therapy may decrease:

• Blood pooling in lower extremities
• Joint stress
• Need for back supports or bracing
• Pain
• Stiffness

Our Aquatic Therapy Program

Treatment in our program begins with a referral from your doctor. We perform an evaluation and assessment, create an exercise program and set goals. Each aquatic therapy session lasts for up to an hour, and you may come in two or three times per week. We'll re-evaluate your progress periodically, and we'll adjust your treatment program as needed.

If any of the conditions below apply to you, aquatic therapy might not be right for you:

• Absent cough reflex
• Acute cerebral hemorrhage
• Excessive chlorine sensitivity
• Fever over 100 degrees
• Incontinence
• Infectious disease or skin infections
• Open wounds
• Repeated fainting
• Respiratory disease
• Severe cardiac complications
• Uncontrolled blood pressure
• Uncontrolled epilepsy
• Urinary tract infections

Talk with your doctor about aquatic therapy and whether it should be part of your physical therapy program.