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Pool Therapy

Pool therapy, or Aquatic therapy, is a form of physiotherapy that takes place in water. It uses the physical properties of water to assist the patient to safely move and exercise.

Many times, patients are able to attempt activities in the water which they are not yet able to do on land, such as standing up or walking. This is due to the support that water provides through buoyancy. This buoyancy also helps to decrease the weight transmitted through the joints of the body while exercising in water. In addition, the warmth of the water combined with the gentleness of movements help to decrease muscle spasms and pain, and the hydrostatic pressure of water can be helpful to decrease tissue swelling after a traumatic injury.

Pool therapy has been shown to improve muscle strength, joint range of motion, exercise endurance, walking, and balance problems, which may have been caused by a variety of medical conditions.

An assessment with one of our physiotherapists experienced in pool therapy is very important prior to beginning a pool therapy program. This is to ensure that you are able to embark on a pool therapy program safely, to establish whether any special precautions need to be taken, and to set up an individual treatment program with you.  Pool therapy can take place in your own private pool or in a local community pool.

Action Potential Rehabilitation therapists are knowledgeable about therapeutic group pool programs offered in the community for when you no longer need individual therapy.