Dive Into Recovery: Discover the Healing Power of Aquatic Physical Therapy in Suffolk County
When traditional land-based physical therapy feels too challenging or painful, the therapeutic waters of Suffolk County offer a gentler path to recovery. Aquatic physical therapy has emerged as a transformative treatment option that harnesses the unique properties of water to accelerate healing, reduce pain, and restore function for patients with various conditions.
Understanding Aquatic Physical Therapy
Aquatic therapy, also known as aquatic physical therapy, pool therapy, water therapy, aquatic rehabilitation or hydrotherapy, is a form of physical therapy that takes place in a temperature-regulated pool and involves exercise in water. The buoyancy, resistance and warmth of the water – kept at a controlled water temperature – help support movement, making exercises easier to perform while reducing strain on the body.
Because water supports the body and reduces the impact on joints, aquatic therapy allows for greater movement control with less discomfort. Merely standing in water that is waist-deep reduces your weight by 50%! This remarkable property makes aquatic therapy particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions, or dealing with mobility limitations.
Who Can Benefit from Aquatic Therapy?
People of all ages and abilities may benefit from aquatic therapy, particularly those who have difficulty performing exercises on land due to pain, injury, disability or mobility challenges. Applications of aquatic therapy include neurological disorders, spine pain, musculoskeletal pain, postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation, pediatric disabilities, pressure ulcers, and other disease conditions, such as osteoporosis.
Specific conditions that respond well to aquatic therapy include:
- Arthritis and joint replacement recovery
- Sports injuries and orthopedic conditions
- Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease
- Chronic pain conditions
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Balance and mobility issues
The Science Behind Water-Based Healing
Water’s therapeutic properties create an ideal environment for rehabilitation. Buoyancy decreases the amount of weight bearing for patients, which in turn reduces the force of stress placed on their joints. By decreasing the amount of joint stress, there is less pain and exercises are easier to perform.
Hydrostatic pressure: This natural pressure in water has been found to reduce the swelling in joints and soft tissue that is usually associated with arthritis or injury. Additionally, water creates a source of resistance that allows for muscle strengthening without the need to use weights. Coupled with water’s buoyancy, this allows a patient to strengthen muscle groups with decreased joint stress that cannot be experienced on land.
Finding Aquatic Therapy Programs in Suffolk County
Suffolk County residents have access to several established aquatic therapy providers. Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy, established in 1982 by Sherrie Glasser, M.S. P.T, is Suffolk County’s oldest family owned and operated Physical Therapy practice. Metro PT has heated salt water pools, full fitness centers, and certified manual therapy services.
METRO’s aquatic therapists are specially trained to work with orthopedic and arthritis patients and offer specific exercise protocols for increasing strength, stamina and flexibility among neurologic and postsurgical patients. The practice operates multiple locations throughout Suffolk County, including Bellmore, Commack, Garden City, Hampton Bays, Mohegan Lake, Oceanside, Rocky Point, Selden, & Smithtown.
Another option is Ultra Health Physical and Aquatic Therapy, which offers traditional Physical Therapy Rehabilitation along with the option of incorporating an Aquatic Therapy exercise program. This newly constructed facility is equipped with state of the art of Rehabilitation equipment along with an Aquatic Salt Water pool.
The Role of In-Home Physical Therapy
While aquatic therapy provides excellent benefits, some patients may benefit from starting their recovery journey at home. For those seeking a physical therapist suffolk county residents can access comprehensive in-home services through providers like MedCare Therapy Services. Located all over Suffolk County and parts of Nassau County, MedCare focuses on providing personalized care in the comfort of patients’ homes.
We strive to treat each patient like a member of our family offering an exceptional level of comfort in your home. Their services include Fall Prevention, Balance/Proprioceptive Training, Gait Training, Treatment for Joint & Musculoskeletal Pain, Therapeutic Exercise, Daily Activity Training/Rehabilitation, Self-Care Training/Rehabilitation, Resistance & Strength Training, Stroke Rehabilitation, Neurological Rehabilitation, and many other specialized treatments.
What to Expect from Aquatic Therapy
In many cases, aquatic therapy is used as a stepping stone to progress to land-based exercises during later stages of therapy. Typically, aquatic therapy is one facet of a physical therapy and rehabilitation plan that also includes land-based therapies.
The treatment environment is carefully controlled for optimal healing. The Aquatic Pool is approx. 200 sq ft [3.5-4.5 ft] with an operational temperature of 95°F, equipped with massage jets located throughout the pool. When exercise is performed in a heated pool, the patient’s body temperature rises, dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow throughout the body and to the targeted areas being treated. The water’s warmth can also reduce the sensitivity of sensory nerve endings, temporarily reducing pain.
Making the Right Choice for Your Recovery
Aquatic Therapy is a clinically proven, safe, and effective approach for treating arthritis and other conditions that impact human muscles, bones and joints. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or seeking to improve your overall mobility, aquatic therapy offers a supportive environment where healing can flourish.
If you are in pain, don’t wait. Ask us for more information about aquatic therapy on Long Island. Suffolk County’s established network of aquatic therapy providers, combined with comprehensive in-home services, ensures that residents have access to the full spectrum of physical therapy options tailored to their individual needs and recovery goals.
The journey to recovery doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the gentle, effective approach of aquatic physical therapy and the convenience of in-home services, Suffolk County residents have the tools they need to reclaim their mobility, reduce pain, and return to the activities they love.
