Aquatic Therapy at Flow Aquatics
Aquatic therapy takes advantage of principles such as buoyancy, relative density, viscosity, resistance, hydrostatic pressure, turbulence, and flow to address a child’s goals. The unique properties of water are especially beneficial in improved self-esteem, independence, and quality of life in ways that can’t be addressed by traditional land-based therapy. The pool is also a naturally motivating and rewarding environment for children which promotes a fun, play based approach to treatment.
Who is aquatic therapy for?
Common conditions/diagnoses benefiting from Aquatic Therapy includes:
-Autism
-ADHD
-Cerebral Palsy
-Balance disorders
-Pain
-Orthopedic injuries or status post orthopedic surgery
-Abnormal muscle tone including hypotonia or hypertonia/spasticity
-Muscular dystrophy
-Down Syndrome
-Scoliosis
-Spina Bifida
-Respiratory impairments
-Sensory processing disorder
-Children with delayed speech or language development
-Children with social/emotional regulation difficulties
-Developmental Coordination Disorder
-Developmental Delay
Common Goals for Aquatic Therapy Programs:
-Improve balance, coordination, and gross motor skills
-Build muscle strength & endurance
-Improve aerobic capacity & endurance
-Reduce stress and promote relaxation
-Address gait & locomotion
-Promote free movement and joint protection
-Improve attention
-Promote sensory integration
-Improve motor planning/sequencing
-Build social skills
-Improve visual-spatial perception & fine motor skills
-Improved breath control & posture for speech/vocalizations
-Develop language skills
-Promote vestibular stimulation to improve body awareness and motor learning
-Improved oral motor skills
