McGovern Physical Therapy Associates - The Personal Care Professionals

AQUATIC PHYSICAL THERAPY

Aquatic Physical Therapy is the practice of physical therapy by a trained and licensed physical therapist within the environment of a water-filled pool. Often after an injury or surgery, a patient's sensitivity to pain is increased and the ability to bear weight on the injured area is limited. The water creates a completely safe environment for progressive rehabilitation, allowing pain-free range of motion. In the water, the pull of gravity on the body is not as strong as on land; motion and functional activity are more comfortable. Water supports the body and provides resistance and assistance to movement in a truly unique manner. The human body is 50% of its actual weight when submerged in water to the waist, and 10% of its actual weight when submerged to the neck. Patients can therefore improve rapidly during the healing process, and can often start aquatic therapy sooner by re-initiating limb and body movement after injury or surgery.

Typical problems and conditions that can be treated effectively through aquatic physical therapy techniques are musculoskeletal problems and injuries including: neck, shoulder, back, knee and ankle; joint replacements; chronic pain; arthritis; fibromyalgia; neurological disorders, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and conditions limiting the body’s ability to bear weight.

Aquatic treatment sessions conducted by a trained and licensed physical therapist are designed to: accelerate rehabilitation, reduce pain, protect joints during exercise, reduce exercise stress, decrease swelling, increase muscle tone, improve gait, posture and proprioception, and increase circulation, strength and endurance, range of motion, flexibility and balance and coordination.

Aerobic activities can also be performed in the pool, and water equipment can assist with resistance exercise for strengthening and cardiovascular conditioning.

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates supports the benefits of aquatic therapy for the treatment of many conditions. A water-based exercise and educational program produces significant changes in quality of life. Aquatic exercises like stretching, aerobic exercise, strengthening, posture, gait, vestibular, proprioception and balance activities in addition to educational topics including the benefits of exercise, goal setting, fall risks and a home exercise program, have shown to increase a person’s level of confidence in their ability to avoid falls can improve quality of life. The benefits of aquatic therapy can be combined with land-based therapy to create the ultimate rehabilitation experience.

McGovern Physical Therapy Associates, the personal care professionals, is a multispecialty provider of outpatient physical therapy care located in Beverly, Malden and Revere, MA. Voted “Best PT Practice 2004” by ADVANCE for Directors in Rehabilitation magazine, our clinicians offer personalized manual therapy and exercise expertise, including a variety of customized treatment options. Combining innovation, experience and excellence, our staff of clinicians, as well as dedicated office personnel, work as a team to provide caring, convenient and professional service for total patient recovery.

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