Aquatic Therapy—What it is and why it works.

When you think of aquatic therapy, what image comes to mind? Some people might think of swimming pools and ladies wearing swim caps doing leg lifts in the shallow end. That’s not exactly the same thing. At Premier Physical Therapy, aquatic therapy is a focused, specialized form of therapy. It’s a one-on-one session in a controlled environment – not the public pool. It has delivered great results with a variety of patients.

What is Aquatic Therapy?

Also known as water therapy, aquatic therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that helps patients improve a wide range of conditions through a series of exercises in a controlled water setting. We offer aquatic therapy at our Cape Girardeau location. If you suffer from arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia or recently have recently undergone neurosurgery, it may be an ideal option to consider alongside your regular treatment regimen. Plus, you don’t even have to know how to swim. Our aquatic facility is designed for all types of patients.

One thing aquatic therapy is not is exercise. Aquatic exercise is a fitness-related activity, usually done in groups. Aquatic exercise is usually conducted in a swimming pool by an instructor, who may or may not be a licensed therapist. These classes are not one-on-one and do not address specific mobility or pain issues you may be experiencing.

What are the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic therapy is beneficial in many areas of orthopedics, including sports medicine, workers’ comp, arthritis management, spine therapy and rehabilitation after surgery. Our physical therapists have seen great results, especially in improving range of motion and flexibility.

Why does it work? The natural buoyancy of our bodies in water counteracts the effect of gravity on your joints. This relieves stress on the body while providing resistance to the muscles. The warmth of the water and its massaging effects relaxes the muscles, increases circulation and helps reduce pain. Water is also denser than air, so it pushes on your muscles. This is called hydrostatic pressure. This compression on your muscles provides stability and helps relieve pain.

Water You Waiting For? Schedule an Appointment.

If you think aquatic therapy is right for you, call Premier today at 573-335-7868. Together, we can start you down the road to recovery. We have three convenient locations across southeast Missouri (Cape Girardeau, Jackson, and Advance). Aquatic therapy is currently only available at our Cape Girardeau location.