Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy is physical therapy that takes place in a pool or other aquatic environment under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional. ​​Aquatic Therapy is offered at our Middlebury location.

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These are some of the ways that water’s natural properties create an ideal therapeutic environment:

• Warm water provides a relaxing and soothing environment for aching joints and muscles.

• Water’s natural viscosity or resistance can be used for muscle strengthening and increasing rehabilitation progressions.

• Buoyancy allows for flotation and reduces the effects of gravity on injured or aching joints and muscles.

• Hydrostatic pressure supports and stabilizes the client, allowing people with balance deficits to perform exercises without a fear of falling, decreasing pain and improving cardiovascular return.

• Turbulence and wave propagation let the therapist gently manipulate the client through the desired exercises.

• The respiratory muscles are forced to work harder in the water, allowing for a natural strengthening that benefits the client long after the therapy session has ended.