All about Aquatic Therapy...how it can benefit YOU

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Aquatic therapy, also known as hydrotherapy, is a type of physical therapy that involves performing specific rehabilitation exercises in the water.  Aquatic therapy is especially beneficial for people who have difficulty with weight bearing activities due to arthritis, joint injuries, hip or knee surgery, pelvic and back injuries or obesity. 
Exercising in the water provides several benefits that exercise on land cannot.  The buoyancy of the water provides an unloading of the weight bearing joints of the spine, knee and hips.  This is helpful for those who can’t tolerate exercising on land due to joint pain. 
Water also provides assistance and resistance while exercising so that one can progress through various levels of activity while increasing functional strength and capacity.  Aquatic therapy offers the added benefit of being able to utilize the multi-planar environment, working with or against resistance as well as the absence of eccentric muscle loading, which reduces post-exercise muscle soreness.  Aquatic therapy also can help by promoting healing to the site of injury and increasing circulation.  Vasodilation in a warm water environment with the added compressive properties of the water improve blood flow to the site resulting in increased oxygen delivery and healing of damaged tissue. 

A few additional benefits of Aquatic Therapy:
  • Increased aerobic capacity, endurance and sense of well-being
  • Diminished loss of bone density
  • Increased strength and power, improved joint integrity and mobility
  • Decreased risk of safety compromise, improved balance and proprioception
  • Improved ability to progress weight-bearing status while honoring weight restrictions
  • Improved functional tasks, independence and motor learning
  • Decreased joint and soft tissue swelling, inflammation and restriction
  • Decreased pain, muscle spasm and abnormal tone


We are currently offering in-home Aquatic Therapy. If you have an indoor warm water pool (88-92F) or an outdoor heated pool, and require adapted rehabilitation, please contact us for further information.