The Need
Necessity
Aquatic therapy uses the unique properties of water to enhance treatments for patients with a variety of diagnoses. Simple activities like walking, sitting, and floating that a patient may otherwise be unable to perform on land, become possible when in water. For many of the children we serve, aquatic therapy is the most effective treatment.
The water creates a temperature constant, zero-gravity environment. This weightless experience allows many children to engage stiff muscles and reduce pain in a way that is impossible to accomplish in a traditional therapy setting. The warmth of the water and constant pressure can calm children with sensory processing disorders, allow for painless stretching, and help to develop strength, along with many other benefits.
Dependability
A pool used for aquatic therapy must be reliable, as the regulation of water quality and temperature are essential for therapy to take place. Many of the factors surrounding the pool such as temperature of the outside room and sensory input are imperative for the delicacy of the population we serve.
In prior years we have been forced to cancel many sessions due to poor water quality, chemical imbalances and fading water levels. This can be attributed to the poor building insulation, as well as, the foundation failure of the pool.
Why it works
Aquatic therapy uses the unique properties of water to enhance treatments for patients for a variety of diagnoses. Activities are performed while fully submerged, partially submerged or while floating. Simple walking, sitting, floating, swimming and running while submerged are all aquatic therapy activities. The water is a child’s playground.