Aquatic Therapy Flashcards
Hydrotherapy forms
- whirlpools
- jacuzzi’s
- pools
therapeutic indications for hydrotherapy
- alternative exercise medium
- wound care
- advantage of immersion properties
- pain reducing environment
AMAs definition of aquatic PT
a therapeutic procedure which attempt to improve function through the application of therapeutic aquatic exercises. Procedures require constant attendance of a therapist educated in performing aquatic therapeutic exercises
Aquatic Physical Therapy includes but is not limited to
treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, health, wellness and fitness of patient/client populations in an aquatic environment with or without the use of assistive, adaptive, orthotic, protective, or supportive devices and equipment
what are aquatic physical therapy interventions are designed to improve or maintain
- aerobic conditioning
-balance
-coordination and agility
-body mechanics - postural stabilization
- flexibility
- gait and locomotion
- relaxation
- muscle strength and power
- endurance
what is adapted aquatics
a learn to swim program for individuals with disabilities
aquatic fitness/ aerobics
aquatic exercise that is distinctively not swimming and not skilled therapy services : “therapeutic exercise” , but is performed in a face-out, vertical position in various depths of water with the intent of improving physical health.
- activity geared toward maintenance, fitness and general health goals.
- No documentation and not insurance coverage
Aquatic PT
skilled service that requires
- clinical reasoning and decision making
- pt is involved with injury or disability that has potential for improvement (minimize disability and/or eliminate impairment
- pt has potential for improving QOL or reduction in burden of care
- therapy is provided based on standards of care and follows state and federal practice act.
how to become aquatic PT
- “PTs with expertise in the field of aquatic therapy”
- Research grants available
- not a board certification or credential and this point
- CAPTCC: certificate in Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency ( 7 online learning modules and 3- day pool course
general benefits of aquatic therapy
- Improve circulation, strength and endurance, balance and coordination
- Increasing ROM
- Decrease tissue swelling
- Normalize muscle tone
- Protect joints during exercise
- Reduce stress
Indications for aquatics
- Orthopedic conditions - injury/trauma
- Weight- bearing restrictions
- joint replacement (TKA/THA)
- obesity
- pre/post - natal dysfunction
- Neurologic conditions (parkinson’s, MS, CP)
- spinal cord injury
- Rheumatologic conditions
Unique Physical Properties of Water
1) Buoyancy
2) hydrostatic pressure
3) drag
4) temperature
buoyancy
the upward force that works opposite of gravity
- the deeper you take the pt the more buoyant they will be (54% when immersed up tot he waist, 35% at mid-chest, 8% at the neck)
why promote buoyancy
- enable pt to feel safe and relatively independent
- allow buoyancy to do come of the work
- make work harder by demanding the patient fight against buoyancy
hydrostatic pressure
-pressure is immersed on objects
- pascal’s law
- hydrostatic pressure increased with water density and depth
application of hydrostatic pressure
increases pressure decreases effusion, assists in venous return, induces bradycardia and centralizes peripheral blood flow.
Harder for people with puenmonary issues in water.
drag definition
cumulative effect of turbulence and fluid viscosity acting on an object in motion
drag application
- as movement speed increases so does resistance
- moving water past the pt required more work to maintain same position
- equipment increases amount of drag and resistance
temperature in water
-differences in temperature reach equilibrium with only minimal changes to temperature of water
-water retains heat 100 times more than air
application of water temperature
- the body is less able to dissipate heat in water than in air
- pt will be more sensitive to even small changes in water temperature than they would be to air temperature
- water can penetrate to deeper tissues with increased time.
water temperature guidelines
- generally cooler water for higher intensity exercises and warmer for mobility, flexibility and muscle relaxation
- 79 - 82 F : cardiovascular training and aerobic exercise
- 84 - 90 F: flexibility, gait training, relaxation
- 91 F: therapeutic ex for pts with acute painful musculoskeletal injuries
physiological effects of aquatics
- increase pulmonary blood flow ( can help reduce swelling)
- increase central blood volume and pressure
- increase in central blood volume
- hydrostatic pressure on chest wall will increase the work of breathing by 65 %, reduces vital capacity of the lungs by about 6 percent, and reduce the expiratory reserve volume
contraindications for aquatic therapy
- incipient cardiac failure and unstable agina
- respiratory dysfunction (vital capacity <1L)
- severe peripheral vascular disease
- severe kidney disease
- open wounds, colostomy and skin infections
- bowel and bladder incontinence
- uncontrolled seizures
precautions of aquatic therapy
- fear of water
- neurologic/ cognitive disorders
- seizures (well controlled)
- cardiac dysfunction
- small open wounds and lines (small area and well controlled)
- skin conditions or irritations to chemical in pool
