Aquatic Therapy or pool therapy consists of an exercise program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, hip pain, and knee pain. It is also a good program for someone who may have difficulty performing a land based program secondary to pain limitations or limited weight bearing status secondary to a fracture. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance because:
- Buoyancy decreases the amount of stress on the joints.
- Hydrostatic pressure helps decrease joint and soft tissue swelling.
- Water can assist movement as well as adding resistance when performing exercises.
- The warmth of the water assists in relaxing the muscles and increasing blood flow.
Our aquatic therapy program is supervised by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. Our goal is to progress you to an independent pool program at a facility in your community.
If you have any questions, please contact the St. Alexius Human Performance Center at 701-530-8100 or 1-800-222-7858.
Use Ask St. Alexius if you have a specific question concerning Aquatic Therapy. Your answer will come in the form of an email.
** It is important to talk to your physician prior to starting any exercise program