Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
Water is buoyant, which reduces your weight and thus the impact on the joints. Aquatic therapy has also been found to help with decreased swelling of joints and surrounding tissue. Water also offers more resistance than air, and our ability to control the current further helps us create the therapy environment for optimal results.
Aquatic therapy is not simply exercises performed in a pool. Our aquatic therapists have special training and the pool is set up with different depth levels to further customize your therapy as you progress.
The Pool
Our pool is kept at 92 degrees. While this temperature is chosen for optimal muscle and joint relaxation, it has the side benefit of being very comfortable for most people.
Candidates for Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is most often a compliment to traditional physical therapy, but tends to help the most for:
- Recovery from major joint surgery (total joint replacement, ACL reconstruction, or other)
- Recovery from ankle fusion or achilles tendon repair
- Anyone who has difficulty bearing body weight
- Back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle soreness/weakness
- Osteoarthritis
- Stress fractures
Where to Start
If you’re interested in Aquatic Therapy at OrthoNebraska, call us to schedule at (402) 609-1750. Your initial visit will be an evaluation of your range of motion, gait, posture, strength and a home exercise program. The duration of the program will be determined by your therapist based on your progress and goals.
