Aquatic Therapy Flashcards
What are the 4 parts of aquatic therapy?
Buoyancy
Hydrostatic pressure
Viscosity
Thermal conductivity
What is buoyancy in relationship to aquatic therapy?
Upward lift of the water: supports, assists, resists
Negates gravity: progressively offloads stress on joints
Determined by body density
Center of gravity/center of buoyancy
What is hydrostatic pressure?
Horizontal pressure on the body that increases with depth
Creates a massaging effect on tissue
Decreases edema
Provides challenge for the respiratory muscles
Assists with standing balance
What is viscosity in relation to aquatic therapy?
Size and surface area determine how much strength it takes to move an object in the water
Form drag: want to create this so they work harder
What are considerations for the temperature of the water in order to address health, safety, and comfort of the child?
Best temp is 86-92 degrees Watch for signs of distress, blue lips, shivering Use thermal vest Re warm frequently Use thermal band around ears Keep head out of the water
What are health contraindications for aquatic therapy?
Open wounds Fever or chills Diarrhea Bowel incontinence Extreme fear of the water May need desensitization training to get the child in the water
What are comfort and safety considerations for kids and aquatic therapy?
Make sure child is calm and happy in water
Be sure to go potty before entering water and additional breaks every 15-20 minutes
Do not allow them to drink, taste, spit, or spout the water
What are support considerations during aquatic therapy?
Remain near head of children with tonic neck reflex
Stay within reach of your child even if they are supported by a flotation device
Prone position: hug position, hip support
Front support position: shoulder support, front support on swim noodle
Supine support: cuddle, back hip support
Side support: side to side support, side hug
Rear support: straddle the horse, back sitting support
What are autonomic signs of distress in young children?
Yawning, sneezing, hiccoughing, sweating, gagging, spitting up, breathing irregularly, changing skin color, abruptly changing state, producing bowel movement
What are behavioral signs of distress in young children?
Fussing, crying, grimacing, sighing, startling, stiffening, averting gaze, pushing away, arching back, staring into space
What are some activities to improve proprioception
Drag towel through water, carry buckets, drag bucket through water, pushing resistive equipment, pull child through water on noodle, wear fins or weight on ankles, push buoyant equipment under water as you walk
What are activities to increase sensory awareness?
Simple submersion in different depths, create bubble effect on body, splashing wars, water fall, wash different parts of body
Balance: walking or marching in different depths, hokey pokey
What are considerations for aquatic therapy in kids with special needs?
Help them gain better understanding of bodies Structure personalized activities Progress from simple to complex Emphasize rhythmic movement Allow them to repeat their successes Show recognition to even the smallest effort of success Use celebration words Play, play, and more play
What are activities to work on balance/postural training?
Body roll on mat, noodle swing, tilt board balance, vertical posture challenge, horse rides in circles, core alphabet or write name in cursive, assisted kicking from back hip support, assisted back stroke, stepping over objects, balancing on one foot, race car to navigate obstacle course
What are activities to increase strength?
Loud and soft kicks, bicycle kick, marching, stepping to side, wall squats, jumping on and off side of pool, frog kicking, motor boat, noodle bicycle ride, spider walk on wall, tidal wave on wall, little green frog, hot potato (kick ball away from them)
