Could Aquatic Therapy Benefit You?

Aquatic Therapy has always offered an ideal and unique medium in which to provide therapy. Today, aquatic therapy is used for both preventative and conditioning purposes as well as for rehabilitation after injury. The unique properties of water will often afford patients the ability to perform and tolerate the progression of exercises that would not otherwise be tolerated on land. 

In the water, the unique properties of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure can be used to the patients’ advantage. 

• Standing in water waist high decreases body weight by 50%
  
• Chest high decreases body weight 70%
  
• Neck high decreases body weight by 90%

This allows the patient to stand, walk or move with decreased pain using no external supports or braces, canes, walkers, etc. The patient is able to work on gait, transfers and balance in a safe and protective environment.

Muscular strength and endurance can be improved or maintained in the water, as water is 600-700 times more resistive than air.

• It takes more force to push the body through the water than through air
  
• The faster an object is pushed through the water more turbulence is produced, resulting in greater resistance to the movement.

This makes for an ideal environment to work with those patients who are very weak and in the early stages of strengthening.

The water in therapeutic pools s much warmer than a traditional pool, ranging from 91-99 degrees F.

• Warm environment results in a rise in superficial tissue temperature creating a palliative like effect decreasing pain.
  
• Acts to decrease pain by bombarding the nervous system with sensory information of warmth promoting relaxation and a decrease in muscle guarding.
  
• Warmth and buoyancy of the water act together to provide increased support to an injured and painful limb.

Additionally, therapy in the water has psychological and social benefits in addition to the physiological benefits. Patient morale is improved with the ability to move and return to some normal activities. As the patient moves and becomes more confident in their abilities the fear of falling or pain diminishes.

Aquatic Services at SJRMC
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center offers Therapeutic Aquatic Services at the 4 West Facility located at the corner of 4th and West streets in Mishawaka.

Our Physical Therapists Kathy Jeter and Marilyn Ross bring over 40 years of aquatic experience and background to the program. A prescription for aquatic therapy from a physician is required to get started.

After a thorough evaluation by a Physical Therapist, patients are set up on an individualized program and each session is designed to help the patient meet his/her goals and return to the highest level of function possible.

• 18,000-gallon pool ranges in depth from 3-6 feet
  
• Very comfortable at a therapeutic temperature of 92 degrees
  
• Poolside hydraulic lift, electronic lift and handrails make the pool accessible to patients of all abilities
  
• Non-swimmers can be accommodated with various flotation devices and are treated with one-on-one assistance by the therapy staff
  
• Large variety of resistive equipment to be used by our pool patients as appropriate
  
• Aqua joggers and wet vests for deep-water running, non-weight bearing exercises and unloading programs
  

For more information or scheduling contact the Aquatic Therapy Department at (574) 252-0333.