Aquatic Therapy at TOSPT

Clinical studies have recognized the therapeutic and recuperative powers of water for thousands of years. At TOSPT at Capital Medical Blvd., that tradition is strongly maintained, thanks to the facility's heated indoor pool (around 90°), which is the only one of its kind in the Big Bend area.

Aquatic therapy is a great adjunct to any type of therapeutic program for patients. It's a very important part of the therapeutic services offered at TOSPT. The physical properties of water allow patients to exercise without being impacted as greatly by forces of gravity. So patients are much more comfortable in the water, particularly if they have arthritis, fibromyalgia or conditions that involve stiffness or pain.

The pool is especially helpful for patients who have difficulty with weight bearing. For instance, if a patient has a lower extremity weight bearing walking restriction of 50%, once the patient is in chest deep water, the weight bearing is reduced by at least 50%, so he could work on walking with the help of a physical therapist.

Usually patients begin using the pool as part of their therapeutic exercise functional activity program. They are already in physical therapy, and the pool serves as one of their treatment sessions. Therapists actually conduct the sessions in the pool with their patients, helping them with various activities in the water to increase strength, decrease pain, and increase general mobility. Also, people come in from the community, become PTplus patients and participate in group or individual aqua fitness programs.

Credit: Advance. Vol. 16, No. 6. February 28, 2005