The Benefits of Aquatic Therapy:
For centuries, water has been used for recreational and therapeutic use. New technologies and treatments have given aquatics a whole new importance in the fields of Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. Therapies use aquatics and rehab techniques so a patient can regain motion at a quicker pace and to have less pain.
Water is an excellent exercise medium for a wide variety of patients. Its natural buoyancy allows freedom of movement without jarring or putting strain on the body. Its natural resistance encourages strengthening of the muscles, and its properties alleviate pain and facilitate motion. Water is excellent for treating pain and musculo-skeletal injuries. If you recently had surgery or have an open wound there are wraps available to protect you and the wound/incision in open water.
Aquatic therapy aids in:
- pain reduction
- muscle strength
- joint flexibility
- cardiovascular fitness
- upper extremity and lower extremity fitness
Some of the most important properties of aquatics are:
- Buoyancy – the ability to float
- Decreases weight-bearing
- Makes stretching easier
- Makes movement less painful
- Helps with balance
- Viscosity – less friction
- Can allow strengthening and conditioning of the injury
- May reduce the risk of further injury to the body part
- Hydrostatic Pressure – pressure of water on joints and muscles
- May reduce swelling and inflammation
- May make workouts easier and less painful
All these properties together allow ease in therapy such as the weight placed on the spine and risk of injury due to unintended movements.
Aquatic therapy is beneficial to:
- Traumatic injuries
- Chronic pain
- Athletic injuries
- Bone, joint, or muscle disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurological impairments
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Connective tissue diseases
- Orthopedic injuries/surgeries
- Work related injuries
- Pregnancy and post pregnancy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Stroke/CVA
- Scoliosis
Calorie Burning benefits:
Thirty minutes of aquatics = one hour of land aerobics
A person can burn this many calories doing the below activities:
- Land walking=135 calories
- Water walking=264 calories
- Jogging on land=240 calories
- Jogging in water=340 calories
- This also applies to upper body exercising
Athletic injury benefits
May help to maintain/improve:
- physical conditioning\
- mental acuteness
- reaction time
- coordination and balance
- muscular strength and tone
- cardio-respitory conditioning
- agility
Prices:
Drop-in: $4
Monthly: $25
Pool Rentals (includes the conference room and a lifeguard for 3 hours): $60.00
Schools: $25.00 (1 hour)
$20.00 (any hours after that)
Hours:
Mon. 4:15-5:45
Tues. 11-12:30
Wed. 8:15-9:30 and 4:15-5:45
Thurs. 11-12:30
Fri. 8-9:30