What is aquatic therapy?

Therapeutic activities performed in an aquatic environment provide excellent opportunities for children to develop their motor skills.  Therapists are able to use the unique properties of water to enhance therapeutic activities. 

• The gravity-lessened environment of water can help children explore and practice movements and skills they are not yet able to perform on land. 
• Water provides resistance to active movement through all planes of motion facilitating gains in strength for all major muscle groups.
• Movement through water provides increased tactile and proprioceptive input that enhances body awareness and motor learning.

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Who benefits from aquatic therapy?

• The aquatic therapy program at Children’s Therapy Corner is offered to children of all abilities. 
• Aquatic therapy can be an effective intervention for children with abnormal muscle tone, muscle weakness, poor postural control, decreased endurance, and limited mobility. 
• Children working to develop higher-level motor skills such as breath control, balance, coordination, and gait are likely to benefit from aquatic therapy.
• Aquatic therapy is an excellent treatment option for children with weight bearing limitations secondary to an orthopedic injury, JRA, or osteogenesis imperfecta.
  

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How can my child start aquatic therapy?

• Children initiating aquatic therapy need to have completed a land-based physical therapy evaluation.  Following the evaluation or at any point while receiving physical therapy, the primary physical therapist may recommend your child to our aquatic therapy program. 
• Treatment programs are individualized to address the goals of each child and family.  As with many therapy sessions at Children’s Therapy Corner, parents/caregivers are always welcome to actively participate in aquatic therapy sessions.
• Children may participate in aquatic therapy alone, or in combination with land-based physical therapy.  Children who are not routinely followed for land-based physical therapy may be asked to attend a monthly land-based session so that the therapist can evaluate their progress during functional activities.
• Please call our Midland or Traverse City Office if you have questions about the aquatic therapy program at Children’s Therapy Corner or would like to determine if aquatic therapy is appropriate for you child.

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