With the onset of summer and warmer weather and water, Beatitudes wants to remind all residents that we offer aquatic therapy as part of our outpatient therapy clinic services for our residents. Nancy Reyes, one of our contracted Occupational Therapists began working with residents for a couple of years now and the residents seem to enjoy it.
Aquatic therapy takes place in a warm water pool with a temperature ranging between 84 to 90 degrees. The principles of aquatic therapy which provide rehabilitative benefits are: hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy and viscosity.
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted equally on all surface areas of an immersed body resting at a given depth. As pool depth increases, fluid density increases causing an increase in pressure. This principle is beneficial to individuals who may suffer from lower extremity edema. The increase in pressure can help reverse these inflammatory effects which may then cause a decrease in swelling. Hydrostatic pressure can also benefit those with unstable joints. In this case, increased pressure coupled with underwater exercise helps improve joint stability.
Buoyancy is the upward force a fluid exerts on an object of less density. It works in the opposite direction of gravity. For example, someone who is neck deep in water experiences about 10% weight bearing, at chest deep water level this increases to 25 to 30%, etc. This principle may be beneficial for individuals who present with weak muscles, difficulty with weight bearing or restrictions in their range of motion. In these examples, buoyancy can assist by providing weightless movements which allow spastic muscles to relax and allow for an overall increase in movement. The ability to perform movements which were not attainable on land can have a profound positive psychological effect.
Viscosity of water is referred to as, “the stickiness of a fluid”, thusly, resistance can be increased by speed of movement. By creating a more viscous environment, the force of resistance increases. This increase in resistance allows the opportunity for muscle strengthening which can benefit individuals who need to build strength but have difficulty coordinating their movements on land. Individuals suffering from illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease have had positive results in muscle strengthening thanks to therapeutic aquatic exercise. Viscosity allows them to perform strengthening exercises without the challenges of loss of balances they may experience exercising on land.
While aquatic exercise has been shown to have great benefits; there are some reasons aquatic exercise may not be for you, such as: skin infection, open wounds, recent deep x-ray therapy, inability to adjust to fluid loss due to kidney disease, perforated eardrum, incontinence, hyper or hypo tension with short periods of exercises; frequent rest breaks.
Residents that would be good candidates for hydrotherapy include those who may have or had the following: orthopedic surgeries/injuries arm, wrist, hand fractures, total knee replacements, hip replacements and hip pinning, stroke, spinal cord injury, and cardiopulmonary issues like COPD.
Medicare Part B benefits can cover the cost but a physician’s order will need to be obtained. The hours available for aquatic therapy are 11:30A.M to 2:00P.M Monday through Friday by appointment. Please feel free to contact the therapy department for further information or to schedule an appointment with Nancy by calling (602) 433-6153. Nancy is certified in PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), and has been practicing aquatic therapy for 20 years. She previously ran the aquatic rehab program for 4 years at Chris Ridge Village and taught post therapy aquatic programs at Maryvale’s Women’s Center for the fibromyalgia and arthritis aquatic exercise programs. Please note that all necessary equipment needed will be at the Beatitudes pool and there is a lift for individuals who may have ambulatory difficulties. Nancy and the therapy team look forward to introducing you to the benefits that therapeutic aquatic exercise can provide.*
