Analysis and Description of Aquatic Therapy

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Aquatic Therapy refers to treatments and exercises performed in water for physical rehabilitation purposes. Aquatic therapy uses water as a therapeutic benefit for individuals. The water acts as a form of resistance and aids in improving ones function, flexibility, range of motion, strength, balance, aerobic capacity and endurance, gait and locomotion, and pain management. Due to the buoyancy of the water and its non-gravitational forces, aquatic therapy offers a form of exercise which does not put stress on an individual’s joints or spine. Rather, it serves as a relaxation technique (Webmd, 2014).

Aquatic therapy encompasses a broad set of modalities, including aquatic exercise, physical therapy, and aquatic bodywork. Treatment may be passive, active-assisted, and/or active. Cooler water temperatures are used for high intensity exercises and overall body conditioning. Whereas, warmer water temperatures are used for mobility, flexibility and muscle relaxation control and management (Malstrom, 2013).

Aquatic therapy can be received in traditional outpatient rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and sports medicine clinics. Aquatic therapy is accessible in facilities that have a full-size or therapeutic-size pool (Human Kinetics, n.d.).

Target Groups and Populations

Target groups and populations who can benefit from aquatic therapy include, but are not limited to individuals with: arthritis and/or osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, orthopedic impairments, cerebral palsy, asthma, as well as poor self-esteem and body image (Broach & Dattilo, 1996).

Individuals experiencing fevers, infections and bladder/bowel incontinence are not encouraged to participate in aquatic therapy treatment interventions. Individ...

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...pts/excerpts/aquatic-therapy-specialist

Malstrom, B. (2013). OTA/PTA Practice Skills IV [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from http://elearn.mohawkcollege.ca/d2l/le/content/150547/viewContent/810099/View

No name available. (n.d.) Therapeutic Exercise [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from

http://www.d.umn.edu/hper/majors/athletic_training/faculty_staff/documents/AquaticThe rapeuticExercise.pdf

Slideshare. (2014). Whirlpool Use and Whirlpool Temperatures for Physical Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/Cornelia5Rivers/whirlpool-use-and-whirlpool- temperatures-for-physical-therapy

Stan, A. (2012). The benefits of participation in aquatic activities for people with disabilities. Sports Medicine Journal/Medicina Sportiva, 8(1), 1737-1742.

Webmd. (2014). Water exercise. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/aqua- therapy-topic-overview

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