A long time ago in the fall of 2013…

Physical therapy assisting AQUATIC Therapy EPISODE VII Created by: Darren Pain, Alyssa Day, Bill Naylor, Edwin Flohr and Amy Reed

Is the skill practice of physical therapy in an aquatic environment by a physical therapist or by a physical therapist assistant. Aquatic Physical Therapy includes but is not limited to; treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, health, wellness, and fitness of patients/client in an aquatic environment with or without use of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, or supportive devices and equipment. The buoyancy, support, accommodating resistance, and other unique properties of the aquatic environment enhance interventions for patients/clients across the age span with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular-pulmonary, and integumentary diseases, disorders, or conditions. Aquatic Physical Therapy interventions are designed to improve or maintain function, aerobic capacity and endurance conditioning, balance, coordination and agility, body mechanics and postural stabilization, flexibility, gait and locomotion, relaxation, and muscle strength, power, and endurance. Interventions used in Aquatic Physical Therapy include but are not limited to; therapeutic exercises, functional training, manual therapy, breathing strategies, electrotherapeutic modalities, physical agents, and mechanical modalities using the properties of water and techniques unique to the aquatic environment. What is Aquatic Therapy? It is the skill practice of physical therapy in an aquatic environment by a PT or a PTA. Aquatic Physical Therapy includes but is not limited to; treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, health, wellness, and fitness of patients/client in an aquatic environment with or without use of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, or supportive devices and equipment. The buoyancy, support, accommodating resistance, and other unique properties of the aquatic environment enhance interventions for patients/clients across the age span with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular-pulmonary, and integumentary diseases, disorders, or conditions. Aquatic Physical Therapy interventions are designed to improve or maintain function, aerobic capacity and endurance conditioning, balance, coordination and agility, body mechanics and postural stabilization, flexibility, gait and locomotion, relaxation, and muscle strength, power, and endurance. Interventions used in Aquatic Physical Therapy include but are not limited to; therapeutic exercises, functional training, manual therapy, breathing strategies, electrotherapeutic modalities, physical agents, and mechanical modalities using the properties of water and techniques unique to the aquatic environment.

Who is it for? It is for; Neuropatients Spinal Chord Injuries Cerebral Palsy Arthritis Post Surgical Patients. Hip Surgery Patients. Stroke Patients. Parkinson's Patients. Patients with back spasms, back pain and Fibromyalgia.

Where can you do it? Aquatic therapy is done in a pool. There are no specifics required as far as size is concerned for the pool. Although Most pools are no deeper than 4-5 feet because the water only has to come to the chest of the patient. Most of the rules and regulations for pool maintenance vary from state to state. Here are some general guidelines for temperature of the water:82-88 degrees for more active patients and patients with MS degrees for less active patients such as those with arthritis or women degrees for less active patients with hyper tonicity/spasticity issues There are also some pools that are kept at 50 F that help with swelling and joint pain.

Equipment used. A wide variety of equipment is used in aquatic therapy besides swimming pools. There are current pools, Jacuzzis, saunas, and whirlpools of different sizes. Which can be filled with either hot or cold water. Prior to mersion solutes can be added to water such as sea salt, lemon juice, Epsom salts, baking soda, and essential oils. Equipment used on land can be adapted to use in water such as treadmills, dumbbells and barbells, and steps. Jogging belts either flotation or weighted, balance boards. Floats; body slings, hip floats, posture pillows and kick boards.

Theory behind it. It uses the resistance of water instead of weights which takes out excess pressure of the joints for better outcomes. Aquatic therapy makes the exercises easier and less painful because forces of weight bearing is reduced. The warmth of water reduce pain by relaxing tight or spasm muscles and increasing blood flow, promoting circulation. The water resistance and special jets help patients strengthen muscles and improve cardio vascular performance

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