aquatic therapy

What are the principles of water

• buoyant forces

• viscosity and fluid resistance

• hydrostatic pressure

• thermodynamics

• sensory

What is viscosity beneficial for

resistance and stability

What is hydrostatic pressure beneficial for

moving edema

What is the temp of the pool

87-95 degrees

benefits of aquatic therapy compared to land

• fun

• improvement of concentration and orientation task

• dynamic and easy to add resistance

• decrease gravity and joint loading

• easier for handling larger pts or those heavily involved

general benefits of aquatic therapy

• vital capacity

• CO

• gross motor skills (0-3 y)

• reduction in spasticity

• ROM

if a pt is immersed to the knees, what percentage of the body is offloaded

25%

if a pt is immersed to the hips, what percentage of the body is offloaded

50%

if a pt is immersed to the armpits, what percentage of the body is offloaded

70%

if a pt is immersed to the neck, what percentage of the body is offloaded

90%

how are goals written to appease insurance

functional land based goals

Who is aquatic therapy for

everyone, especially those struggling w/ antigravity movements

common dx that benefit from aquatic therapy

arthogryposis

OI
SMA
CP

post surgical

JIA?

why do JIA pts not always benefit from aquatic therapy

heat of the pool can inflame them

contraindications for aquatic

• open wounds

• open ports

• vomiting/actively sick

precautions for aquatic

tube/trachs

bathroom prior to therapy

SCI (AD)

HR monitoring

seizures

impulsive/unsafe behavior

What are some opportunities to use floatation devices

• stabilization

• independence

• additional resistance

• safety

how does prone positioning contribute to session

extensor strength

how does supine positioning contribute to session

flexor strength

manual therapy

how does sidelying positioning contribute to session

lateral head and trunk control

midline

how does standing positioning contribute to session

head/trunk control