Aquatherapy

Aquatherapy

Our 100,000 gallon salt water pool at PT Hawaii can expand the depth and scope of a clinician’s treatment options with our Aquatherapy program. Since the goals for aquatic therapy are similar to land-based therapy, the program is designed to improve the recovery outcomes for those with complicated injuries received as a result of work, automobile or sports related accidents.

Our salt water, solar heated pool offers health benefits superior to traditional pools or some land-based PT programs and can increase patient compliance and outcomes for the following reasons:

• Salt system allows for less chlorine presence than traditional public pools and is softer on skin, hair, and eyes
• Salt water allows for increased buoyancy of the human body, allowing for additional support from the water while performing your treatment
• Exercising in the water can significantly reduce the effects of bodyweight and gravity on your joints, allowing for decreased pain with motion

The intrigue surrounding water and its healing properties is recorded as early as 2400 BC and reaffirmed over the following centuries. Today medical science and clinical experience confirms aquatic therapy’s ability to improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of life for a broad range of injuries and medical conditions.

PT Hawaii’s Aquatherapy Program was developed in response to demands from treating physicians and patients as a recuperation option during the often long and complicated process of recovery. With Aquatherapy you combine the best of three worlds- stretching, strengthening and conditioning-creating an environment where you can Get Wet and Get Well!

Exercises used in the Aquatherapy program include:

RANGE OF MOTION EXERCISES
These exercises are designed to help participants relieve stiffness, restore flexibility and attain normal joint movement.

STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
Most clients become deconditioned following injuries or surgeries. Weak muscles can contribute to joint problems. These exercises are done to maintain or increase muscle strength by using water as resistance.

ENDURANCE/CONDITIONING EXERCISES
Water walking is used to help participants improve overall fitness, stamina and muscle strength.

NEUROMUSCULAR RE-EDUCATION
These exercises assist with balance deficits, improve posture throughout movement, decrease muscular spasticity, and increase function.

Benefits of Aquatherapy

1. Physiological benefits

The physical properties of water such as reduced gravitational force, buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and warmer temperatures can:

• Decrease edema and effusion
• Enhance muscle and whole body circulation
• Reduce pain and spasm
• Stabilize and support joints

2. Psychological benefits

Rehabilitation can be as emotionally challenging as it is physically challenging. Patients report that pool therapy helps them battle their feelings of isolation, anxiety, anger and depression.

Since water offers patients a low impact, less painful rehabilitation environment it has provides the following additional benefits:

• Improvement in the recovery process
• Diminished muscle atrophy and scar tissue formation
• Better range of motion and function
• Hastened performance of activities of daily living
• The ability to return to work

Conditions that Benefit from Aquatherapy:

• Knee and hip osteoarthritis
• Low back pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic pain
• Muscle spasticity
• Ankle injuries
• Many, many more…