Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

Water-based therapy gives us the opportunity to treat patients with lower body weaknesses and a number of other conditions.

WPT is proud to offer our patients the only underwater treadmill in the greater Calhoun County area, but the treadmill is just one feature at our Aquatic Therapy pool.

We use a number of other tools and pieces of equipment to maximize the benefits of water-based PT. Even the small things like pool depth and pool temperature play important roles in water-based therapy.

WATER RESISTANCE

• Water is up to 700 times more resistant than air, and because water resists rapid movement, the use of paddles and dumbbells is amplified underwater.
• The Wet Vest from Hydro-Fit is a really cool piece of equipment available to our pool patients. The Wet Vest will hold the patient upright in the water allowing them to run or exercise without putting any weight on their joints.

WATER TEMPERATURE

• Blood Supply - Warm water increases blood supply.
• Pain Management - Warm water helps to decrease pain in many patients.
• Relaxation - Warm water helps to relax the muscles.
• Soreness Relief - Warm water reduces muscle soreness.

WEIGHT DISPLACEMENT

Aquatic Therapy relieves stress placed on your joints. In fact, water-based therapy alleviates 4/5s of your body weight!

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE

• Hydrostatic Pressure is the pressure exerted by the water around you relative to the depth of water you’re in. This is caused by the weight of the water around you. Basically the deeper water you’re in, the greater the pressure. 
• Hydrostatic Pressure forces the lungs and heart to work harder, which is why it’s important to talk to your therapist about your medical condition before you get in the pool.
• Increased Hydrostatic Pressure can benefit patients exercising in the pool, but it can also be harmful to those with certain health problems.