An Innovative Approach to Physical Therapy
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An Innovative Approach to Physical Therapy
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Aquatic TherapyAquatic physical therapy uses water to assist or challenge
a person’s movement. Aquatic therapy includes many of the same therapeutic
exercises, gait training techniques, static and dynamic balance training, and
strength training that would occur on land, but in this case water.
What does aquatic-based therapy provide that land-based therapy does not? The buoyancy of water decreases the amount of weight that a person must manage when walking, standing, and performing exercises. With this decreased weight-bearing, the therapist and the client can focus more on the quality of the activity and less on how to maneuver one’s full body weight. The amount of weight the client must bear is determined by the depth of the water; the deeper the water, the more weight is supported. Water can also provide resistance to movement—either of a single limb or the whole body—for strengthening. Additionally, water provides a safe gait-training environment, due to the support it offers and due to decreased risk of injury from a fall. Aquatic-based therapy is a wonderful relaxation tool for individuals with high tone and sensory processing issues. The preferred water temperature for tone reduction and to avoid an increase in tone is between 87° and 92°. The warmth of the water helps to relax muscles and reduce tone so that other activities can then be addressed, such as strengthening and gait training. Additionally, many individuals benefit from the tactile sensation of the water, which provides more input and aids body awareness and sensory integration in those with sensory dysfunction. Aquatic therapy at Beyond Therapy Beyond Therapy provides aquatic therapy at the Wexford Place Retirement Center, which is located near I-29 and 64th Street, in Kansas City’s Northland. The facility has an indoor pool that is kept at about 90°. Sessions typically last one hour, and are conducted one-on-one with the physical therapist. Typically a land-based evaluation is conducted prior to beginning therapy, to determine if the client is a good candidate for aquatic therapy. |
Contact Information
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info@beyondptkc.com with
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