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Our Aquatic Physical Therapy program offers unique
rehabilitation benefits in a state-of-the-art facility located near
Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
The Aquatic Physical Therapy program is offered as a rehabilitation
option at the Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Center — but
the benefits of this program are not limited to sports
injuries. People referred for aquatic physical therapy usually have
difficulty exercising on land and are receiving treatment for
conditions such as
- arthritis;
- fibromyalgia;
- injuries to the neck, shoulder, low back, knee, and ankle;
- rehabilitation after surgery;
- chronic pain; and
- work-related injuries that require rapid rehabilitation.
Benefits of Aquatic Physical Therapy
Often after an injury or surgery, a patient's sensitivity to pain is
increased and the ability to bear weight on the injured area is
limited. In water, the pull of gravity on the body is not as strong as
on land, so motion and functional activity is more comfortable. Water
supports the body, reduces joint stress, and provides resistance and
assistance to movement in a truly unique manner. Patients can improve
mobility, strength, and function rapidly during the healing
process.
Patients in our Aquatic Physical Therapy program may experience the
following benefits:
- Accelerated rehabilitation
- Protection of joints during exercise
- Reduced stress
- Decreased swelling
- Improvements in gait or posture
- Increased circulation
- Increased strength and endurance
- Increased range of motion and flexibility
- Increased balance and coordination
- Increased muscle tone
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Staff
Aquatic physical therapy complements traditional, land-based physical
therapy programs. Licensed physical therapists and physical therapy
assistants who are trained and certified in aquatic therapy develop
and administer a treatment plan for our patients.
Patients work one-on-one with their therapist and are never left
unattended while in the pool.
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What Happens at an Aquatic Therapy Session?
- Patients do not have to know how to swim to participate in Aquatic Physical Therapy.
- Each session is individually designed to meet the patient's needs and utilizes different equipment depending upon the nature of the condition.
- Treatment may include a warm-up followed by balance and stabilization exercises, strengthening,
- A treatment session may last from 30 to 60 minutes.
- Land exercises and manual or hands-on therapy may also be prescribed in a patient's plan of treatment.
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Facility
The Jefferson Hospital Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center
houses a HydroWorx 1000 rehabilitation pool. This revolutionary piece
of therapeutic equipment features an integrated treadmill, resistance
jets, and an underwater monitoring system that allows the patient and
therapist to observe and correct movement patterns.
The Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center is located at 550 Coal
Valley Road near the Jefferson Regional Medical Center campus.
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