A Deep Dive Into Aqua Therapy
Learn the multi-faceted benefits of this unconventional therapy
In the world of pediatric therapy, it seems as if no stone is left unturned. The list of possible therapies for any given child is extensive: occupational therapy; physical therapy; speech-language therapy; feeding therapy; vision therapy; music therapy; equestrian therapy. In this article, we highlight aqua therapy, another unconventional form of therapeutic intervention that can enhance developmental skills in children with functional delays or deficits.
Aqua therapy, also known as hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy, is a unique approach that provides a number of benefits for children with a wide range of developmental challenges. Utilizing the buoyancy, resistance, and therapeutic properties of water, aqua therapy enhances physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being in children who struggle in these areas of development. In particular, it has been shown to elicit improvements in the following areas:
Motor Skills and Coordination
With its reduced gravity and increased resistance, water is an ideal medium for improving motor skills and coordination. The force that the body must exert in order to move in water helps to strengthen muscles, promote better postural control and improve balance. Proprioception, or the perception of the position and movement of the body in space, is challenged in ways that it cannot be on land, with the acts of kicking, floating and reaching for objects under or on the surface of water enhancing gross and fine motor skills. For children with severe limitations
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in their physical movement, aqua therapy also provides a safe medium in which to facilitate improved mobility.
Sensory Processing
It’s no secret that water has calm and restorative properties. It provides valuable sensory input that can help regulate and modulate sensory responses, which are frequently over- or under-reactive in children with sensory processing issues. It’s gentle pressure against the body, the muffled sounds when your ears are submerged and the sensation of buoyancy when in water can help calm and regulate the nervous system. In addition, water play and the use of various water toys can create a multisensory experience that helps desensitize children who may be hypersensitive to or avoidant of various stimuli.
Social Interaction and Communication
The structured yet playful nature of aqua therapy, along with the sense of community that develops when children share pool space with peers who are also working hard towards their goals, make it a wonderful platform for building and strengthening social interaction and camaraderie. Therapists can target initiating conversations and practicing appropriate social cues with their clients during their sessions, helping to build friendships and foster self-confidence.
By enhancing motor skills, sensory processing and social interaction, aqua therapy empowers children to fulfill therapeutic goals in a unique manner that is both motivating and fulfilling. It can be a valuable complement to traditional therapeutic interventions, furthering progress in land-based goals in unexpected ways. It can even foster a child’s interest in other aquatic activities outside of the therapy setting and can build confidence and endurance in children who may struggle with team-based sports. Consider taking the dive into this exciting intervention!
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