The properties of the salt water combined with the skill and specialized training of our aquatic therapists will help you to improve your mobility and function. Aquatic therapy is a great option for early rehabilitation especially with lower body injuries or low back pain because you have less stress on your joints which results in lower pain levels with exercises. Those with low back pain or radiating pain into the legs can also use the pool to provide decompression of the spine. We utilize ankle weights and floats around the torso to gently stretch and align the spine.
Aquatic Therapy offered in our 93° salt water pool has many benefits for a vast amount of conditions including:
- Joint Rehabilitation (Hip, Knee, Ankle, Foot)
- Arthritis
- Chronic Pain
- Low back Pain and Sciatic Pain
- Muscle Weakness in the Core & Legs
- Endurance and Agility
- Balance and Stabilization
- Neurological Conditions
- Orthopedic injuries
- Gait Deviations
- Falls Prevention
Being in the water creates a change in a person’s weight-bearing status. Have you ever noticed exercises are much easier and less painful when you are in the water? That is because you are not fully weight bearing when you are in the water.
The Buoyancy of the water reduces the gravitational pull which relieves stress on painful, achy joints and allows for low impact exercises. Our pool therapy reduces pain and increases joint flexibility and movement of the body. In our SSP program the aquatic portion can achieve a gentle decompression of the spine and joints. For those with balance or mobility issues, our pool therapy can challenge your stability to increase your reaction time without any fear of falling.
Viscosity of water provides resistance which can strengthen your muscles and stabilize your trunk & core, while also improving your range of motion. The resistance can be used as a tool to challenge your balance as well.
Water also provides pressure which is called Hydrostatic pressure. This can help with swelling in the extremities and increase circulation.
Our salt water pool is kept at a relaxing 93 degrees. This temperature is purposeful for providing comfort and promoting relaxation. The warm water also increases the blood supply to sore muscles and reduces abnormal tone due to neurological injury.
Studies have shown that patients who cannot be active on land will be able to move more in the water, thus improving their overall condition. This is helpful for early rehabilitation of an injury. Any movement is better than none at all!
Many doctors are recommending strengthening activities prior to having joint surgery, to make the recovery easier on you. This may seem like a difficult feat, because you are probably in pain, and that is the reason you are getting surgery. When you are in pain, you tend to avoid certain activities involving that painful joint which results in your muscles weakening, effecting your body’s ability to protect that joint. Studies have shown that if you are in better condition before surgery you will have stronger muscles, better flexibility and recover faster with less complications. Our warm salt water pool would be perfect for pre-surgery therapy. The water will allow you to strengthen your muscles and gain more mobility without being as painful as it would if you were on land. At your initial evaluation it will be decided if a pre-surgery program would benefit you and what exercises would help you without irritating the pre-existing condition. In some cases, pre-surgery strengthening can help people avoid surgery.
