AQUATIC THERAPYAQUATIC THERAPY

Intro to Aquatic TherapyIntro to Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy Aquatic therapy is a therapeutic modality that involves is a therapeutic modality that involves

the patient to do an exercise program in water the patient to do an exercise program in water Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties

of water to assist in patient healing and of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance. exercise performance.

Buoyancy (up to 90% of our body weight is Buoyancy (up to 90% of our body weight is removed) removed)

Who Benefits from Aquatic therapyWho Benefits from Aquatic therapy Patients with:Patients with:

ArthritisArthritis Healing fractured bonesHealing fractured bones Stress fracturesStress fractures Who have pain only in WB activitiesWho have pain only in WB activities who are overweight who are overweight Post surgery Post surgery

The Benefits of Aqua TherapyThe Benefits of Aqua Therapy Pain ControlPain Control

Water against the skin causes a sensory response which blocks Water against the skin causes a sensory response which blocks pain receptors and therefore inhibits the sensation of pain from pain receptors and therefore inhibits the sensation of pain from getting to the brain.getting to the brain.

Increase in Self-EsteemIncrease in Self-Esteem People who have suffered a devastating injury and need to People who have suffered a devastating injury and need to

slowly regain the movements of daily living. Once they have slowly regain the movements of daily living. Once they have achieved this goal, and are not so dependent on others, they achieved this goal, and are not so dependent on others, they may get a psychosocial boost.may get a psychosocial boost.

Decrease ImpactDecrease Impact Exercises in the water decreases the impact created within the Exercises in the water decreases the impact created within the

joints as compared to completing exercises on land joints as compared to completing exercises on land

Other BenefitsOther Benefits

Great for patients Great for patients with:with: SwellingSwelling Decreased ROMDecreased ROM Decreased strengthDecreased strength Decreased balance, Decreased balance,

coordination, propriocoordination, proprio Weight bearing Weight bearing

restrictionsrestrictions Cardio deconditioningCardio deconditioning Gait deviationsGait deviations

Difficulty with land Difficulty with land interventionintervention

ArthritisArthritis Healing fractured Healing fractured

bonesbones Stress fracturesStress fractures Who have pain only in Who have pain only in

WB activitiesWB activities who are overweight who are overweight Post surgery Post surgery

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Access to a poolAccess to a pool Not every clinic will be near or have a pool Not every clinic will be near or have a pool

suitable for aquatic therapysuitable for aquatic therapy Qualified pool attendantsQualified pool attendants Qualified AT’sQualified AT’s

Precautions and contraindicationsPrecautions and contraindications

Open woundsOpen wounds Respiratory dysfunctionRespiratory dysfunction Seizure disorders, controlled by medsSeizure disorders, controlled by meds Fear of waterFear of water chlorine allergychlorine allergy altered peripheral sensationaltered peripheral sensation untreated infectious diseaseuntreated infectious disease serious cardiac conditions serious cardiac conditions

Upper limbUpper limb

Can be used for treatment ofCan be used for treatment of The shoulder complexThe shoulder complex ElbowElbow WristWrist HandHand

Exercises for Exercises for Shoulder Complex Injuries Shoulder Complex Injuries

Initial LevelInitial Level Start with patient in shoulder deep waterStart with patient in shoulder deep water walking forwards and backwards trying to walking forwards and backwards trying to

keep a normal arm swingkeep a normal arm swing GH movements can be done with patient back GH movements can be done with patient back

against the wall to stabilize the scapulaagainst the wall to stabilize the scapula The movements can be done supine or prone The movements can be done supine or prone

depending on the patients level of comfort in depending on the patients level of comfort in the waterthe water

Exercises for Exercises for Shoulder Complex InjuriesShoulder Complex Injuries

Intermediate LevelIntermediate Level At this stage you can use equipment to At this stage you can use equipment to

increase the resistance to build on strengthincrease the resistance to build on strength• Keeping with in a pain free zoneKeeping with in a pain free zone

Scapular stabilization can be progressed from Scapular stabilization can be progressed from the standing position to a supine position the standing position to a supine position

Over head movements can be incorporated in Over head movements can be incorporated in the program by positioning the patient in a the program by positioning the patient in a supine or prone positionsupine or prone position

(

Exercises for Exercises for Shoulder Complex InjuriesShoulder Complex Injuries

Final LevelFinal Level The goal for this level is to incorporate sport The goal for this level is to incorporate sport

specific movements, and to make it more specific movements, and to make it more challengingchallenging

By bringing in sport equipment into the pool By bringing in sport equipment into the pool the patient can do sport specific movementsthe patient can do sport specific movements

Lower LimbLower Limb

Can be used for treatment ofCan be used for treatment of HipHip KneeKnee AnkleAnkle

Exercises for Exercises for Lower Limb InjuriesLower Limb Injuries

Initial LevelInitial Level GoalsGoals

• Increase normal movementsIncrease normal movements• Increase strength of unaffected musclesIncrease strength of unaffected muscles• Increase ROMIncrease ROM

Walking forward, backwards and sideways Walking forward, backwards and sideways help maintain a normal gaithelp maintain a normal gait

Deep water activities help maintain cardio for Deep water activities help maintain cardio for patients who can’t WB due to stress fractures patients who can’t WB due to stress fractures or other injuries that require NWB activitiesor other injuries that require NWB activities

Exercises for Lower LimbExercises for Lower Limb

Intermediate LevelIntermediate Level GoalsGoals

• Increase ROMIncrease ROM• Increase Strength Increase Strength • Increase FlexibilityIncrease Flexibility

Aqua belts can be used to allow for deep Aqua belts can be used to allow for deep water runningwater running

Can do eccentric activities in shallow water by Can do eccentric activities in shallow water by standing on a flutter board or a noodlestanding on a flutter board or a noodle

Exercises for Lower LimbExercises for Lower Limb

Final LevelFinal Level Best used as a compliment to on land trainingBest used as a compliment to on land training Can have the athlete do deep water activities Can have the athlete do deep water activities

without a flotation beltwithout a flotation belt Can do squats on noodles, dumbbells, or Can do squats on noodles, dumbbells, or

flutter boardsflutter boards Pool runningPool running

Things you can use for Things you can use for Aquatic Therapy Aquatic Therapy

Thera-band Thera-band – – to tether them to the wall for pool running to tether them to the wall for pool running

For added resistanceFor added resistance Tennis balls on a ropeTennis balls on a rope a rope with knotsa rope with knots

Milk jugs for weightsMilk jugs for weights Hockey sticks, old golf clubs, old tennis Hockey sticks, old golf clubs, old tennis

racquets, clothingracquets, clothing