Aquatic Therapy at Alpine Physical Therapy

WHAT IS AQUATIC THERAPY? 
Aquatic therapy is a type of physical therapy treatment that takes place in the water. Aquatic therapy can be valuable for a variety of different patients to address specific impairments and challenges and is not limited to certain diagnoses. 

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR AQUATIC THERAPY?
Anyone! Aquatic therapy can be helpful when initiating an exercise program and addressing muscle strengthening, cardiovascular fitness, balance, mobility, and function. It is especially helpful for individuals with high pain levels as pool exercises decreases the amount of stress and compressive forces placed on joints by gravity as well as aiding in the ease of movement throughout the body.
 
WHY AQUATIC THERAPY IS HELPFUL?
The reason aquatic therapy is such a beneficial environment to begin exercise is due to the mechanics of the water and the effect it has on the body as you move. Here are the different ways the water can help you get moving again:

• Buoyancy: Decreases the amount of compressive forces placed on joints. Compressive forces through the joints in your body are reduced by 50% when in water up to your waist and 90% when in water up to your neck. Water helps support and assist movement allowing the body to move through improved range of motion with more ease and improving mobility. 
• Pressure: The pressure of the water can help reduce swelling, especially in the joints of the legs and feet.
• Resistance: The resistance produced as you move through the water allows for muscle activation and strengthening.
• Cardiovascular: Aerobic conditioning can often be performed in the water even when it may be too soon or too difficult to do on land.  Aqua jogging can produce cardiovascular results with less impact on your joints.
• Balance: Staying stable in the water challenges your core and balance in a safe and supported environment. 
• Warmth: A supportive, warm-water environment helps relax muscles and is sometimes the best place to start for people with pain, as it allows them to begin moving and exercising without aggravating their symptoms.

AQUATIC THERAPY AT ALPINE SOUTH:
Our location within the Peak Health and Wellness Center on Blue Mountain Road gives Alpine’s physical therapists the opportunity to work with our patients in an 82° competition sized pool with both a shallow and deep end. When needed, patients access the pool with a conveniently located patient lift chair or stairs with two railings. A large and comfortable therapeutic 105° hot pool is also available to help calm sore joints, perform stretches, and do relaxation exercises.  When you are scheduled for the aquatic therapy program, be sure to bring a bathing suit, towel, and lock with you to your session. Know that you can opt to wear a t-shirt and shorts while exercising. 

TEAM MEMBERS:
Brace Hayden, Gary Gales, Jess Kehoe, and Aspen McHugh are members of the physical therapy staff at Alpine that can assist with an aquatic therapy program. They are proficient in aquatic therapy and the transition from an aquatic environment to land-based therapy, helping clients return to normal activities and achieve their goals. Contact the team at Alpine Physical Therapy South, (406) 251-2323 or go online to schedule today! 

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