
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.
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.