Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy is quickly becoming well known for its amazing effects on decreasing pain, speeding recovery, preventing injury and improving function. Aquatic therapy or pool therapy consists of an exercise program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of physical therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance. The fastest way to recover from pain/injury is to begin the rehab process, but often times pain levels impact the ability to start. The pain commonly associated with rehab can be decreased/eliminated in water because it reduces the weight bearing on joints. Once in warm, soothing water:

Conditions commonly treated with Aquatic Therapy

• Post-surgical/Total joint replacements
• Multi-trauma injuries (fractures, soft tissue injury, auto injuries)
• Orthopedic injuries
• Spine conditions (strains/sprains, Spinal stenosis, disc herniations)
• Athletic injuries (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, fibromyalgia)
• Neurological disorders (Multiple sclerosis, Guillian barre, Muscular dystrophy)
• Arthritic conditions
• Pregnancy
• Obesity

One benefit of aquatic therapy is the buoyancy provided by the water. While submerged in water, buoyancy assists in supporting the weight of the patient. This decreases the amount of weight bearing which reduces the force of stress placed on the joints. This aspect of aquatic therapy is especially useful for patients with arthritis, healing fractured bones, or who are deconditioned/overweight. By decreasing the amount of joint stress it is easier and less painful to perform exercises. Often there is no pain while in the water due to the buoyancy affect.

The viscosity of water provides an excellent source of resistance that can be easily incorporated into an aquatic therapy exercise program. This resistance allows for muscle strengthening without the need of weights. Using resistance coupled with the water's buoyancy allows a person to strengthen muscle groups with decreased joint stress that cannot be experienced on land.

Aquatic therapy also utilizes hydrostatic pressure in decreasing joint and soft tissue swelling that results after injury or with arthritic disorders. This reduction in swelling reduces pain by decreasing pressure on soft tissue and nerves.

Lastly, the warmth of the water experienced during aquatic therapy assists in relaxing muscles and vasodilates (opens up) blood vessels, increasing blood flow to injured areas. Patients with muscle spasms, back pain, and fibromyalgia find this aspect of aquatic therapy especially therapeutic.

At Mishock Physical Therapy, Gilbertsville, we have taken on additional space and added a state-of-the-art aqua therapy pool that will open in November. This aqua therapy pool is similar to those used in hospitals, rehab clinics, college and professional sports teams including the: Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers and Phillies.

So, if you would like to try aquatic therapy or any of our physical therapy or chiropractic treatments, give us a call at (610)327-2600 or visit our offices in Gilbertsville, Bally, Skippack to see how physical therapy can help you. Visit our web site at: mishockpt.com or email your questions to mishockpt@ comcast.net