Dr. Mike Shapow PT Physical Therapy literally co-wrote the book on aquatic therapy. It is one of the safest, most progressive forms of rehabilitation due to the elimination of the force of gravity and resistance of water. Our treatments are done in-house in a warm, heated indoor pool specially designed for aqua therapy with a wheelchair and limited mobility access. If you don't know how to swim or have a fear of deep water, don't worry. Most treatments are done within the shallow water, and a licensed aquatic therapist will be with you, ensuring you are comfortable and performing well.
The purpose of Aquatics is to aid the patient in relaxing while using the properties of water for stretching, increasing range of motion, easing pain, and retraining muscles while increasing endurance, strength, rhythm, and coordination. Patients can focus on increased mobility and strength without gravity because the painful joint impact is diminished.
In addition, water also provides balanced resistance, so every movement trains muscles and joints in balance and strength while decreasing pain and swelling. Most patients described the effects of pool therapy as simply refreshing and often commented on how normal they had felt even though, on land, they were in pain.
