Aquatic therapy occurs in conjunction with a land based physical therapy program to help
assist patient’s in returning to their everyday activities. Aquatic physical therapy is
especially helpful with people who have difficulty with weight-bearing activities because
there is less weight-bearing through the joints when in the pool. The reason why aquatic
therapy limits weight-bearing is due to the buoyancy affects of the water. As the depth of
the water increases, there is less weight-bearing on the joints.
Prior to initiating an aquatic therapy program, you must schedule a physical therapy
evaluation so that the physical therapist can develop an exercise program based on your
specific needs. If you are having difficulty walking and you have pain with every step
that you take, you can work on improving your walking tolerance and strength in the
lower extremities in the deep end of the pool. Strengthening in the water can include just
using the resistance of the water against your limbs or using a kickboard or foam
dumbbell to strengthen your arms, legs and muscles of the trunk. Gait training is also
performed in the water, in which you practice using proper heel to toe contact with the
ground, equal step length and time of weight-bearing on each leg. Running activities can
also be performed in the water without the hard impact of the ground due its buoyancy
affects.
Using the concept of less weight-bearing on the joints when in the water, anyone trying to
get back into playing sports after a back, hip, knee or ankle injury may be able to
participate in plyometrics-type exercises in the pool. Plyometrics are designed to produce
fast and powerful movements to help improve ones performance when participating in
sports by loading a muscle and then contracting that muscle in a rapid sequence, in order
to improve a person’s ability to jump higher and run faster by increasing the speed or
force of a muscular contraction. Although to get the full effects of plyometrics these
exercises are better performed on land; however as a precursor to land based activities
jumping activities in the pool can prepare an athlete to train on land. Because aquatic
therapy minimizes weight-bearing forces on the joints, a person can initiate jumping
activities at earlier stages in the rehabilitation process.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy offers aquatic therapy in the heated water of the YMCA
pool every Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 3 pm with each session lasting up to 60
minutes. Aquatic physical therapy typically occurs in conjunction with a land based
program, so if you think this type of exercise may be beneficial to you; contact your MD
for a prescription that must specify aquatic physical therapy. Then you can contact Twin
Boro Physical Therapy to set up an appointment.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy
Located in South Brunswick YMCA
Phone # 732-438-3736
