
The aquatic therapy program at Allied Services Integrated Health System provides comprehensive rehabilitative care to patients in a warm water pool. An experienced team of physical therapists and Physical Therapist Assistant use the water and individually design activities to enhance, restore, and/or increase a person’s functional abilities.
Aquatic therapy is an ideal method to relieve pain and improve function. Water provides a fun, comfortable environment to re-initiate limb and body movement. Conditions treated in the pool can be acute, transient, or chronic. The Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute defines it as:
The use of water and specifically designed activity by qualified personnel to aid in the restoration, extension, maintenance and quality of function for a person with acute, transient, or chronic disabilities, syndromes or diseases.
Most people with disabilities can participate in Aquatic Therapy and swimming experience is not necessary. Patients with arthritis, back problems, knee and ankle injuries, strokes, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and neurological disorders are just a few of the types of people who can benefit.
Some common diagnoses that utilize aquatic therapy include:
Buoyancy
The buoyancy of water supports up to 90% of body weight, reducing the force of stress placed on the joints, and making it easier and less painful to perform exercises.
Resistance
The viscosity of water provides an excellent source of resistance in all directions, which allows for muscle strengthening without weights.
Hydrostatic Pressure
The water surrounding the body decreases joint and soft tissue swelling, blood pressure and spasticity, and improves joint awareness.
Heat
The warmth of the water relaxes muscles and vasodilates vessels, increasing blood flow to injured areas and allowing for an increased range of motion.
For community members who do not require physical therapy but would like to participate in aquatic exercise programs, Wilkes Barre Rehab Center provides several community aquatic programs.
Aquatic exercise and aerobics program
Arthritis Foundation aquatic exercise program
Aquatic assisted fitness program
Open aquatics sessions for children with autism
Patients need a prescription from their doctor in order to enroll in the Aquatic Therapy program at Allied Services. Insurance coverage for this program is provided by most health insurance policies.
To schedule an appointment contact Allied Services in Wilkes-Barre at 570-826-3900 or Allied Services in Scranton at 570-348-1360. Contact us to learn more or start your referral process today.