Water Therapy

What is it?

As the name suggests, water therapy is performed in a swimming pool. Therapy is held at Waterford Mott/ Kettering High Schools in a pool that is heated to 84 degrees F, and is conducted by a licensed Physical Therapist. Although the therapy is run in a group setting, FPT takes a unique approach. We evaluate each person individually and set up a custom program that will be followed in the group setting.

Who can sign up?

Water Therapy can benefit anyone young or old, injured or healthy. For the non-injured it can be used for conditioning. Some problems that benefit from aquatic therapy include: injuries to the lower back, neck, shoulder, hips, knees and others include total hip replacement, total shoulder replacement, chronic pain, arthritis, and post-surgical balance and coordination. The goals are to improve function, strength and well being by increasing circulation and endurance.

Why Water Therapy?

Water Therapy can be used as a preliminary stage to aid in rehabilitation and allow for advancement into an out patient therapy setting. This type of therapy adds a new array of possibilities to the regular physical therapy treatment because of it’s four unique elements: buoyancy, resistance, pressure and temperature.

Buoyancy

When buoyant, exercise is impact and injury free. It allows vertical walking when ordinarily not possible.

Resistance

Resistance makes muscle building more efficient and allows smooth motion without jerking.

Pressure

The pressure accompanying submersion increases blood flow and decreases swelling of the skin and tissues.

Temperature

The therapy is performed in warm water, which promotes muscle relaxation and in turn increased mobility and reduced pain.

How Can I Get Started!?

Water Therapy is a medical service like standard Physical Therapy and requires a prescription from your doctor. The initial appointment will be at a Functional Physical Therapy clinic, where a thorough evaluation of your condition will be performed. A custom treatment plan will then be developed and your subsequent treatments will be in a Waterford area high school’s pool.

The Waterford School District is also offering a discounted price to any Functional Physical Therapy patient that would like to continue using the school district’s fitness facility or programs after the completion of their Physical Therapy.