Aqua Therapy

Aquatic therapy provides numerous benefits to patients as it reinforces the abilities and tasks of land-based therapy to create a cohesive program.  Aqua therapy is a unique environment where clients can do things that are unattainable on land.

One benefit of aquatic therapy is the buoyancy provided by the water, it takes 80% of a person’s body weight away . 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.

Another benefit is 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 muscles with decreased joint stress that can not be experience on land.

Aqua therapy encourages:

• Decreased pain, stiffness, muscle spasm and muscle guarding
• Improved posture, balance and coordination
• Enhanced relaxation and freedom of movement for increased muscle tone
• Increased circulation, range of motion, strength and endurance
• Better mobility through reduced joint strain; water provides resistance to active movement through all planes of motion facilitating gains in strength for all major muscle groups
• Movement through water provides increased tactile and proprioceptive input that enhances body awareness and motor learning.

Children with various diagnosis will benenfit from aqua therapy such as Down Syndrome, developmental delays, autism, cerebral palsey, hypotonia, muscular dystrophy, dwarfism, and mitochodrial disorders, just to name a few.

Aqua therapy is a great way to more out of your therapy dollars.  Aqua therapy offered at the YMCA located on Pheasant Meadows Parkway off HWY K.  Please contact Family Therapy Solutions office at (314) 774-1859.