Aquatic physical therapy provides unique advantages for treating patients faced with disabilities, pain, injury, or other mobility impairing conditions. Water has natural pressure (resistance) and buoyancy. Because of these qualities, when physical therapy exercises are performed in water, the patient can exercise to strengthen his or her muscles with little—or no—pain.

Natural water resistance provides more than just the building blocks to strengthen muscle, it also reduces joint and soft-tissue swelling and supports the body. This support stabilizes joints and can reduce the risk of injury from falls.

A physical therapy clinic with a pool for aquatic therapy can adjust the temperature of the water to help the patient meet his or her goals. Cooler water—between 82 and 90 degrees—is often used for training, pulling heat away from the patient’s body. Warmer water—between 87 and 92 degrees—is used to increase body heat, improve circulation and relaxes muscles for pain relief during rehabilitation sessions.

Aquatic physical therapy can decrease pain, increase mobility and circulation, improve balance and coordination along with core stability and posture. It also improves a patient’s confidence, especially if he or she had difficulty with land based therapy.

Aquatic therapy is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions some include: injury, gait problems, osteoporosis, pain, prenatal care, stroke, arthritis and obesity. It also can improve a patient’s confidence, especially if he or she had difficulty with land based therapy.