Every year, more and more people in the developed world require some kind of physical therapy or rehabilitation. This can be from physical trauma, injury, or simply the physical challenges of daily life. New scientific advancements and discoveries – particularly aquatic physical therapy (ie. Aquatic Therapy Programs) – allow physical therapists and supervised specialists assist with new and exciting treatment opportunities for patients.
This unique treatment option is a well established, evidence-backed, skilled approach in a completely aquatic environment. Aquatic physical therapy is also not restricted to treating only patients with traumatic physical injuries; it provides a cutting-edge treatment method for a wide variety of conditions. Below is a series of benefits aquatic PT can provide physical therapists and their patients.
How Effective Is Aquatic Therapy?
Over the course of many years, both in the field of research and clinical studies have proven that there are a considerable amount of benefits to water therapy. The value of aquatic therapy for treating patients across a wide range of environments and diagnoses has been well documented.
Water therapy provides treatment for rehabilitation, symptom prevention, patient physical fitness, and promotes health and wellness for a diverse spectrum of patients varying in ages and demographics.
What Can Aquatic Physical Therapy Improve or Maintain?
The variety of proven interventions that water therapy is designed to maintain and improve are impressive. These benefits include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Flexibility
- Relaxation
- Postural stabilization and body mechanics
- Locomotion and Gait
- Muscular endurance, strength, and power
- Coordination, agility, and balance
- Endurance conditioning and aerobic capacity
- Function
- Commonly used in but not limited to: electrotherapy, mechanical modalities, manual and functional training, and breathing strategies
By using the unique aquatic environment, physical therapists have new opportunities to provide patients in need of a specialized, proper and necessary treatment program.
Are There Any Potential Risks to Patients and/or Therapists
It is always extremely important to consider a patient’s health when applying physical treatments and therapies. Patients should research all possible dangers and contraindications possible with aquatic physical therapy to become familiar with them.
The dangers of water therapy are, by its nature, minimal at best. Despite this, be sure to speak with your doctor or healthcare provider about possible risks.
As for physical therapists and PT professionals, the risks associated with aquatic physical therapy is dependent on a few different factors. Common contributing factors include water quality, skin conditions, respiratory conditions, pre-existing conditions, and issues related to long-term immersion in water.
Currently, there are no associated diseases with the water. To become familiar with the potential risks associated with water therapy, contact an aquatic therapy specialist.
Aquatic PT creates exciting new opportunities for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy centers with a next-generation method of treating a variety of physical conditions. Backed by years of documented science and evidence-based research, this fascinating form of therapy is revolutionizing the physical therapy, rehabilitation, and healthcare industries.
Request an appointment with a physical therapist in Boca Raton specializing in aquatic therapy today or visit Premier Therapy Solutions for more information.
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