Low-impact water rehabilitation
Aquatic physical therapy uses water to minimize the effects of gravity and stress on your body so you can move more easily and with less pain. It reduces joint stress and provides muscle resistance and ease of movement through a relatively low-impact environment. This helps achieve rapid improvements in your mobility, strength, and function during the healing process.
Atlantic Health has seen aquatic therapy work wonders for many people, including competitive athletes and those who are:
- Recovering from sports-related injuries, work-related injuries, or musculoskeletal injuries
- Recovering from joint replacement procedures or other surgeries
- Suffering from conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia
- Experiencing chronic pain
Pediatric aquatic physical therapy is available for children with a variety of special needs, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other movement disorders.
Benefits of aquatic therapy
Decreased swelling
Improved trunk stabilization
Improved gait and posture
Increased cardiovascular circulation
Increased endurance and muscle tone
Increased range of motion and flexibility
Increased balance and coordination
How the aquatic therapy program works
Your therapy session is held in our therapeutic pool. An in-pool therapy session may include running or walking on the underwater treadmill, in-pool step training, or the use of weights, buoys, and specialized aquatic therapy products for resistance and support.
Our HydroWorx® pool, averaging a water temperature of 96° F, benefits a variety of patients, including those with chronic pain or those recovering from a total joint replacement or musculoskeletal injury. Professional and amateur athletes also use this pool for conditioning and rehabilitating sports injuries. HydroWorx® features:
- A variable-speed underwater treadmill with only 15 percent of the normal stress on joints
- Resistance jets to work upper- and lower-body muscle groups, safely maximizing results
- Variable floor depth, so even if you’re uncomfortable in deep water, you still can enjoy the benefits
- Underwater video monitoring so you can view your training and technique
We tailor each session to meet your unique needs, and the length and frequency of the sessions depend on your capabilities. If you require greater assistance, therapists can be in the pool to assist with rehabilitation. Additional land exercises and hands-on therapy may be incorporated into your treatment plan to achieve the best outcome.
Joe's story
By leveraging the water’s buoyancy, Joe was able to focus first on the muscles used to move. Because he developed a limp, goals of therapy included improving his posture and balance, and retraining the muscles used when walking. After three months of aquatic therapy, Joe graduated to land-based physical therapy to work his body’s stabilizing muscles as well as his movement muscles.
Aquatic and anti-gravity treadmills
Our aquatic and anti-gravity treadmills provide a revolutionary approach to physical therapy, sports medicine, and conditioning. They allow you to build muscle strength, improve cardiovascular stamina, and increase healing—without the impact associated with walking on a regular treadmill. Both treadmills work well for competitive and recreational athletes as well as those who are:
- Dealing with joint issues
- Recovering from surgery
- Living with a neurological condition
- Experiencing balance problems
- Hydroworx® Aquatic Treadmill
AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill
The treadmill reduces the impact of gravity—allowing you to walk, run, and jump without the joint impact.
