Aquatic therapy combines exercises in the aquatic environment with physical or occupational therapy, which provides heat, buoyancy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure.

Heat - Pool temperatures range from 92 to 96 degrees, which allows for relaxation of the muscles, decreased pain, and increased range of motion.

Buoyancy - This provides support and decreased bodyweight, which challenges balance and allows a patient to move more easily with less pain through joints.

Resistance - This allows a patient to increase muscle strength in all directions as well as improve sensory awareness.

Hydrostatic Pressure - The pressure from the surrounding water helps circulate the blood from the legs to the heart, often reducing swelling and joint tenderness while increasing range of motion.

Common Disorders:

• Athritis
• Decreased Muscle Strength
• Joint Replacements/Post Surgery
• CVA
• Chronic Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Other Neurological Disorders

Benefits: Aquatic therapy helps to improve muscle strength, range of motion, improve balance and coordination while decreasing pain and stress. It can also improve posture, body mechanics, and lung capacity.

Contraindications:

• Open Wounds
• Bowel/Bladder Incontinence
• Respiratory, Bladder or Urinary Tract Infections
• Menstruation without any internal protection
• Seizures
• Ostomies

Pool maintenance is M W F 1:30-2:30.

A physician order for physical therapy/aquatic therapy evaluation is required. For more information, call (225) 231-3107 or your physician can fax an order to (225) 231-3017.