Program provides fun, functional and therapeutic swim to children with special needs

What do we do in Aquatic Therapy?
Aquatic Therapy  program is offering one on one aquatic physical therapy for children. A licensed physical therapist creates an individualized program for each child based on his or her needs. Therapeutic and functional exercises aided by the buoyancy and resistance of the water enable children to learn new movement patterns and become more independent in and out of the water. We communicate with your child’s other therapists, physicians and teachers, at your discretion, to maintain goals appropriate for all aspects of their health. Aquatic therapy compliments many other therapies.

Who can participate?
The Program is individually designed to meet the diverse needs of children from infancy to adolescence. We provide the highest quality service in local, warm water pools at a reduced cost or free of charge to all participating families. Our annual Kids-for-Kids Swimathon, as well as other private donations, raises money to provide scholarships and can subsidize the cost of physical therapy services. Our fees are based on a sliding scale. Please inquire about scholarship availability. Some insurance plans are also accepted.

Why water?
Aquatic therapy can build self-esteem and body image as it builds strength and coordination. Children are challenged physically, developmentally, emotionally and functionally, while having fun in the water. The benefits of aquatic therapy go beyond the basics of physical therapy and the properties of water.

Aquatic therapy takes advantage of all the properties of water so children can strengthen muscles, learn new movement patterns and become more independent in and out of the water.

The benefits of physical therapy in water include:

• Strengthens all body systems (including pulmonary and cardiovascular)
• Increases joint flexibility, muscle strength, and spatial awareness
• Decreases hypersensitivity to touch
• Provides an opportunity to practice higher levels of fine and gross motor skills
• Slows down movement to accommodate equilibrium reactions and enhances muscular relaxation
• Buoyancy assists posture in sitting and standing

What children are unable to do on land, they may accomplish in the water by learning alternative ways to accomplish movements independently. Warm water relaxes muscles. Buoyancy helps children with movement, posture, and balance, sitting and standing. Water resistance allows children to build and strengthen muscles while increasing their sensation of movement and improving coordination tone and balance..

Aquatic Therapy Program is beneficial to most anyone seeking to increase strength, decrease pain and improve function.

Get in the water now with a skilled aquatic physical therapist to shorten your rehabilitation time.

What is Aquatic Physical Therapy?
Receiving your physical therapy treatment in the water offers more than simply a comfortable place to exercise. Physical therapy techniques typically done on land, such as manual therapy, back and trunk stabilization, neuromuscular re-education, gait training, and other prescribed treatments are performed in the aquatic environment to take advantage of the beneficial properties of water. Specific aquatic techniques are incorporated into your treatment as well. Aquatic Therapy Associates offer one-on-one aquatic physical therapy. Following an evaluation by a licensed physical therapist, an individualized program based on your specific needs is created. Land physical therapy may also be incorporated into your therapeutic sessions.

Who can participate?
Our program is beneficial to most anyone seeking to decrease pain, improve function and increase strength. For some it is a great alternative to land PT and for others a great supplement. Concurrent treatment with other therapies is of great benefit to your healing process. To shorten recovery, we recommend people come to us at the time of injury or soon after a surgery, A physician’s prescription is required. No swimming skills are necessary. We accept Workman’s Compensation Insurance, Auto Insurance (Med Pay) and some private insurance plans. Please call our office for more information.

Aquatic Therapy is appropriate for most injuries or conditions including:

• back and neck pain
• post-surgical recovery
• fractures and repetitive strain injuries
• stroke and neurological conditions
• arthritic conditions
• spinal cord injury
• joint pain and weakness
• pregnancy related back pain

Why water?
The staff of Aquatic Therapy Associates is well trained in using the properties of water to provide you with unparalleled physical therapy services that meet a wide range of treatment needs.

• Warm water enhances muscular relaxation, increases circulation, and promotes healing.
• Buoyancy reduces compressive forces on the joints, allowing those with chronic pain to move and walk with greater ease than on land.
• The water’s resistance allows strengthening to occur at any level of ability and in all directions.

Exercise in water can help maintain cardiovascular strength if you are unable to perform land based exercise. The beauty of aquatic therapy is that it is appropriate for any phase of rehabilitation and provides a safe and effective therapeutic environment for people who are limited in their movement on land.