For patients who cannot participate in the typical exercises of physical therapy due to joint pain, muscle weakness, or injury, aquatic therapy may be a better alternative.
Aquatic therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that takes place in the water. Water helps relax your muscles and its natural resistance relieves joint pressure often associated with traditional weights or exercises.
There is no requirement to know how to swim before participating in aquatic therapy. Overall, aquatic therapy allows the body to become more buoyant, decreasing the amount of pain and stress on your joints.
Who Is a Candidate for Aquatic Therapy?
Water therapy is beneficial for a wide variety of conditions and injuries, in particular for patients with fibromyalgia. Patients often struggle to find relief from body stiffness, fatigue, and muscle pain through traditional therapy methods. Aquatic therapy for fibromyalgia treatment minimizes any ill-effects of traditional physical therapy while enabling a person to more easily perform effective, aerobic exercises.
Aquatic therapy exercises are also a useful rehabilitation options for people who:
Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
There are numerous benefits associated with aquatic therapy. Physical therapy that takes place in the water creates a safe environment for patients prone to falls, while the warmth of the water relaxes muscles and decreases tension. As a result, patients often experience increased blood flow to their muscles and a reduction in pain.
Additional benefits from participating in aquatic therapy include:
- Promotes early range of motion
- Increases flexibility
- Tones muscles
- Increases the healing and strengthening of injured tissues
- Produces joint stiffness
Locations for Aquatic Therapy*
Altoona Station Medical Center
814-889-3900
1516 9th Ave
Altoona, PA 16602
Bedford
814-623-3510
CRS-Bedford
10455 Lincoln Highway
Everett, PA 15537
Cranberry Township
724-720-3050
UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex
8000 Cranberry Springs Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Erie - Harborcreek
814-877-7078
2101 Nagle Road
Erie, PA 16510
Erie - Pearl Street
814-887-7536
2060 North Pearl St.
North East, PA 16428A
Franklin - Circle Street
814-432-9405
44 Circle Street
Franklin, PA 16323
South Side
412-432-3723
UPMC Rooney Sports Complex
3200 South Water St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
*UPMC Centers for Rehab Services can also partner with local organizations in your neighborhood to coordinate additional aquatic therapy programs.
