Aquatic Therapy Program
Spaulding Outpatient Centers offer Aquatic Therapy for adult and pediatric patients.
Aquatic therapy can benefit patients with conditions such as arthritis, back/neck pain, sprains, strains, or fractures, and for individuals recovering from surgery or seeking a preventative fitness program.
After an initial evaluation, a physical or occupational therapist will work with you to develop a program that can reduce pain, increase strength, enhance balance and stability, increase range of motion, loosen stiff joints, and reduce spasticity while improving overall conditioning.
Approach to Care
Patients in the Aquatic Therapy Program are evaluated by clinicians and provided with an individualized plan of care consisting of land-based exercise and pool exercises. Our pool therapists create a treatment plan in conjunction with the patient and the patient’s physician, based on orthopedic and neurologic treatment principles.
The Aquatic Therapy Program can benefit patients by allowing them to progress in ways that would be too stressful or challenging in a traditional clinic setting. In the pool, goals can be achieved with less joint and muscle stress than in the traditional clinic environment.
A treatment plan is based upon the patient’s current status including range of motion, strength, balance, pain, weight-bearing status, sensory integration, co-diagnoses, and developmental level for children. Therapists are able to address many deficits in the pool using water’s buoyant properties to assist patients and allow them to exercise more efficiently and comfortably.
Expertise
Aquatic therapy is led by experienced Spaulding Network clinicians trained in aquatics. Team members have advanced training in water safety techniques, additional training on aquatic therapies, and more than five years experience in aquatic modalities.
Program Director(s)
Each of the Outpatient centers of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network have on-site clinical leaders who direct the Aquatic Therapy programs.
Research & Innovation
Spaulding Rehabilitation Network is dedicated to researching new treatments in the field of aquatic therapy. Spaulding researchers, including physicians and other clinicians, oversee ongoing research studies and clinical trials such as those listed below.
Research Program
Aquatic Therapy Equipment
Description
Equipment utilized in the pool includes a hydraulic lift, buoyancy equipment, upper-extremity and lower-extremity resistance equipment, floatation devices, and pool safety equipment.
Research Program
Aquatic Therapy Techniques
Description
Bad Ragaz, Ai Chi, Burdenko, Pilates, and BackHab
Locations
Aquatic Therapy services are offered at these Spaulding Outpatient Centers:
Spaulding Outpatient Center Brighton
Spaulding Outpatient Center Cambridge
Spaulding Outpatient Center for Children Lexington
Spaulding Outpatient Center Marblehead YMCA
Spaulding Outpatient Center Yarmouth
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod
Spaulding Outpatient Center Wellesley
Related Services
The following services are related to the Aquatics Program:
Adaptive Sports
Fibromyalgia Program
Neurological Rehabilitation
Pediatric Rehabilitation/Sensory Integration
Sports Injury Rehabilitation and Conditioning
Women’s Health
Adaptive Sports & Exercise
Our programs provide access to a range of therapeutic activities from cycling to water sports to golf.
Your New Hospital:
Coming 2013
Construction of a new, state-of-the-art Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is now underway in Charlestown MA. Slated to open in early 2013, it will provide enhanced patient care and expanded treatment and research space.
