Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic physical therapy is done in a heated pool under the instruction of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant. It can be used to promote a faster recovery from injury, illness, surgery, or congenital conditions.  It is often used to enhance joint movement associated with pain. The water reduces pressure on joints created by gravity and can provide the correct amount of assistance or resistance depending on the particular patient.

Aquatic physical therapy provides the benefits of increased circulation, strength, endurance, range of motion, balance, and coordination. It can also decrease swelling, reduce stress and protect joints during exercise. 

The goal of any physical therapy intervention is to improve function. Due to the unique properties of water, movement and exercise can be facilitated in ways where land-based exercise routines may be inappropriate or impractical.

Aquatic therapy can help to improve a patient's functional level by providing an appropriate starting environment for rehabilitation. As a patient improves, he or she would then be progressed to a land based rehabilitation program. For certain patient populations, aquatic exercise can be an excellent and appropriate environment for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular rehab.

Indications for Aquatic Physical Therapy
Aquatic physical therapy can be beneficial for the following patie nts:
- Acute injuries including low back pain
- Arthritic conditions
- Post-operative conditions
- Non-weight bearing status
- Severe deconditioning or muscle weakness
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Patients inclined to water activities         

Aquatic Physical Therapy Goals
Patients will receive an individualized pool exercise program aimed at improving their function. Programs will be designed and implemented by a physical therapist. As appropriate, patients will be progressed to land based rehab programs to maximize their functional recovery. For patients in which land based programs may be inappropriate, rehabilitation will be continued in the pool with progression to a home exercise program.

Pool Location
Medford Sports Injury & Therapy Center Inc. offers aquatic physical therapy. The therapy pool is located at the Barnett Road clinic at 2780 E. Barnett Road Suite 130. For more information regarding this program or the appropriateness of treatment please call 779-6146 or talk to your physical therapist.