Aquatic Therapy
Program Specifics
With aquatic therapy, swimming is not a prerequisite and all activity consists of exercises performed in the water with therapist supervision or assistance. Patients can perform exercises while utilizing an automated lift chair to lower them in and out of the water. Depending on individual capabilities, patients may also stand or sit on the built-in bench in the water, hold onto the side of the pool, or use a flotation device. The water provides a safe and effective method for healing injuries, restoring patient confidence, and increasing mobility with each completed exercise.
We also offer an aquatic exercise class for expectant mothers who are looking for a way to maintain good overall health during and following pregnancy. This class works to address a full-body fitness education including low-impact aerobic exercise with stretching, strengthening and range of motion activities for the entire body. To learn more or to register for this class, click here.
Insurance Coverage
Consistent with physical therapy, aquatic therapy services are generally covered by most insurance plans; however, our staff is happy to discuss any insurance questions you may have. No matter your concern or age, aquatic therapy is an excellent option
To inquire if aquatic therapy may be right for you, call 218-631-7475 in Wadena or 218-548-5580 in Henning, or check with your provider.
CONTACT US
Astera Health – Wadena Rehabilitation Clinic
Astera Health – Henning Physical Therapy Clinic
Other patient services include:
Benefits
Water’s natural buoyancy reduces gravitational pull and lessens compressive forces, making exercises much easier to perform than on land. Best of all, aquatic therapy can be used even if a patient does not know how to swim.
There are many benefits, including:
- Athletic enhancement
- Contributes to overall relaxation
- Improves joint flexibility
- Improves patient morale and confidence by providing a positive medium in which to function
- Improves range of motion
- Increases muscular strength and core stabilization
- Reduces pain and comprehensive forces on the spine and joints
- Stimulates body awareness, balance and stability
Individuals with any of the following can benefit from Aquatic Therapy:
- Comorbidity limitations: land-based treatment may be difficult for patients with comorbidities of obesity, arthritis, or cardiac complications. Water-based rehab may be beneficial for these patients.
- Edema: water immersion can reduce lower extremity effusion and edema. Benefits with acute LE swelling for faster healing and improved range of motion with reduced pain.
- Pain: a combination of buoyancy and thermal effects of water can help reduce symptoms of pain. Pool based therapy is proven to be beneficial for chronic and acute pain patients.
- Requires sensory modulation: The pool is a sensory-rich environment to help promote sensory integration for your adult or pediatric patients.
- Unsafe on land: aquatics-based services provide a higher level of safety for unbalanced patients to allow for a more beneficial treatment in the safe environment of water.
- Weight-bearing restrictions: properties of water help to reduce weight into the lower extremities and through the spine.
Care Provided
Aquatic therapy is a wonderful option for individuals of all ages who may be experiencing the following:
- Cervical pain
- Children with disabilities
- Chronic pain
- Difficulty with balance or walking
- Expectant/postpartum mothers
- Fibromyalgia
- Knee, hip & ankle conditions
- Neck & back pain
- Neurological disorders
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Post surgery orthopedic conditions
- Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis
- Shoulder concerns
- Sports injuries
Staff
Jeremy Meyer, PT, DPT
Stacey Callahan, PT, DPT
Trenda Hoemberg, PT, DPT
Kendra Peeters, PT, DPT
Aquatics Courses
Aquatics Moms Course
GOAL: To help expectant or new mothers maintain good overall health during and following pregnancy, to reduce pain associated with later stages of pregnancy, and to improve general stabilization. This one-hour session will address full-body fitness education including low-impact aerobic exercise, stretching, strengthening, and range-of-motion activities.
BENEFITS: Water is a phenomenal environment in which to achieve strength, motion and reduced pain. The buoyancy of water supports your body’s weight and reduces the pressure on joints and the spine.
Other benefits:
- Reduces pain in back, legs and between shoulders
- Reduces swelling and pressure in lower extremities
- Improves muscle tone and control in comfortable exercise positions
- Improves activity and free motion during later stages of pregnancy
- Produces relaxation and reduces tension
Conditions or situations where aquatic therapy would not be used:
- Ruptured membranes
- Significant heart disease
- Significant lung disease
- Persistent bleeding in second or third trimester
- Placenta previa after 26 weeks gestation
- Premature labor
- Incompetent cervix
- Viral infection, communicable diseases
Moms Courses are held quarterly on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center. Register online here. For more information, contact 218-631-7475. (Limit 10 people)
Aquatics Arthritis
GOAL: Aquatics Arthritis is designed to soothe arthritis pain in those 50 or older using aquatic therapy in a private, warm water pool. In a small group setting, expert therapists will show you gentle aerobic exercises and stretches to help you manage your arthritis pain.
BENEFITS: The unique properties of water cannot be duplicated on land, and when harnessed by a skilled therapist, they can treat patients of all ability levels and ages.
Buoyancy
- Decrease in weight-bearing through joints
- Decrease in joint stress
- Decrease in splinting or guarding of antigravity muscles
- An increase in freedom of movement
Hydrostatic pressure
- Reduction in edema in the lower extremities (by providing graduated pressure at greater depths)
- An offsetting of blood pooling in lower extremities (and thus a reduction in the risk for postoperative clotting)
- A desensitization effect (by constantly stimulating phasic receptors)
Surface tension
- Increased tactile experience
- Provides resistance when trying to break the surface plane
Resistance
- Can change resistance and task demands by changing length of lever arm
- The drag causes 90% of resistance to movement whereas the water in front is only 10 of resistance
- Allows us to challenge patients at appropriate level and then advance the difficulty as able, making transition to land based activities through streamlining, slipstream, drafting, momentum, and rebound
Warm water
- Immersion in thermoneutral water will produce a generalized relaxation effect similar to that experienced with swaddling or bundling of a body part
Refraction
- Can help with proprioception for those individuals who need to look at their feet when they walk
Viscosity
- Provides resistance depending upon speed at which task is getting completed giving us more options with strengthening
Aquatics Arthritis is right for you if:
- You are older than 50
- You have arthritis pain
- You are searching for an effective way to manage your pain
For more information, call 218-631-7475.