Aquatic therapy is physical therapy that takes place in a pool or other aquatic environment under the supervision of a trained physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. It may be used as a stand-alone treatment, or as a transition to a land-based therapy program, based upon a person's condition.
Aquatic therapy is available in Massena.
Water’s natural properties create an ideal therapeutic environment because warm water is relaxing and soothing for aching joints and muscles–because of this, we keep the pool at 94º. Water’s natural viscosity (resistance) can be used for muscle strengthening and rehabilitation, and its buoyancy allows for flotation while reducing the effects of gravity on injured and/or aching joints and muscles.
Additionally, hydrostatic pressure supports and stabilizes you, giving people with balance deficits the ability to perform exercises without the fear of falling, while also decreasing pain and improving cardiovascular return. Turbulence and wave propagation let your therapist gently manipulate you through desired exercises, and your respiratory muscles will be hard at work, allowing for natural strengthening benefits long after your therapy session has ended.
Water (aquatic) therapy may be helpful for people suffering from the following conditions:
- Arthroscopic surgery recovery
- Balance disorders
- Bursitis
- Cerebral palsy
- Chronic pain
- Idiopathic joint pain
- Joint reconstruction surgery recovery
- Joint replacement surgery recovery
- Lower back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Orthopedic injuries
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sprains and strains
- Stroke
- Tendonitis
- Traumatic Brain Injury