woman teach boy swimming

Aquatic therapy is a modality used in conjunction with a child’s current occupational or physical therapy weekly visit. Aquatic therapy has many benefits including strengthening, motor planning, range of motion, overall sensory regulation and more! Using a temperature-controlled pool and water properties to assist, children can engage in exercises he or she may not be able to do on land making it an optimal condition to build strength, coordination, and sensory desensitization.

Our aquatic therapy is performed in a state-of-the-art therapy pool that is temperature controlled at 92°. Aqua therapy can be fun and highly motivating for your child. Aquatic therapy allows physical and occupational therapists the use of specialized intervention strategies that only the water can provide. In water a child may be able to perform exercises he or she may not be able to do on land. With the water providing both support and resistance, this makes an optimal condition to build strength and coordination.

Can my child benefit from aquatic therapy?

Aquatic Therapy can effectively be treat( but not limited to):

  • Decreased motor planning
  • Decreased coordination
  • Decreased strength and endurance
  • Decreased tolerance to weight bearing
  • Sensory impairments or disorder
  • Abnormal muscle tone
  • Impaired head and trunk control
  • Neurological disorders
  • Juvenile arthritis
  • Respiratory problems and disorders
  • Orthopedic injuries (fractures and sprains)
  • Problems with reflex integration

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy Intervention:

  • Muscular Strength and Endurance
  • Improve Posture and Core Strength
  • Improve Coordination
  • Weight-Bearing and Precise Muscle Reeducation
  • Cardio-respiratory and Pulmonary Endurance
  • Pain Management
  • Improve Motor Skills and Motor Control
  • Improves Sensory Regulation
  • Improved Participation

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder may receive these additional benefits:

  • Provides valuable sensory input to assist with sensory regulation
  • Provides hydrostatic pressure that surrounds the body causing a calming effect to the central nervous system causing relaxation and anxiety reduction
  • Improves muscle tone
  • Improves cardiovascular health and increased endurance when exercises like walking and running are incorporated
  • Increases opportunities for socialization

Children with physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy or Spina Bifida may receive these additional benefits:

  • Increased mobility
  • Heart conditioning exercises, children with limited mobility may have limited opportunities to increase their heart rate during daily physical activity
  • Improved flexibility – relaxed, warm muscles tolerate stretching and range of motion with greater ease
  • joint mobility
  • Elevated mood due to reduction of weight bearing on joints and muscles
  • Pain reduction
  • Constant sensory input because of the waters gentle movement and support
  • Children often work harder in the water because it takes less effort compared to dry land

Speak to your Occupational or Physical Therapist today about adding Aquatic Therapy to your child’s treatment protocol today or call our office at 708-226-9200 to learn more!

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