Aquatic Therapy uses the resistance of the water and specifically designed activities to enhance, restore, and maintain a person's functional abilities. Research has shown aquatic therapy to have positive improvements for a variety of conditions such as pain management, neurological conditions, arthritis, past stroke, and more.

After an illness, injury, or surgery, a patient's sensitivity to pain may be increased or the ability to bear weight on the injured area limited. In water, the pull of gravity on the body is not as strong as on land, therefore motion and functional activity are more comfortable. Water supports the body, reduces joint stress, and provides resistance and assistance to movement. Patients can improve mobility, strength, and function rapidly during the healing process.

Other benefits include:

•     Improved muscle strength and tone
•     Increased cardiovascular function
•     Reduces stress
•     Decreases swelling
•     Increased circulation
•     Increased strength and endurance
•     Increased range of motion and flexibility
•     Increased balance and coordination

The vast majority of people can participate in aquatic therapy, though it is not recommended for certain medical conditions. Individuals with a variety of disabilities and orthopedic conditions can participate in aquatic therapy. Those with back problems, knee injuries, ankle injuries, strokes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, and those who have orthopedic surgeries are just a few of the individuals who may benefit from aquatic therapy.

Other conditions treated with aquatic therapy include:

•     Repetitive Stress Disorders
•     Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
•     Fibromyalgia
•     Stroke
•     Arthritis
•     Obesity
•     Chronic Breathing Problems

 Falls are the leading cause of injuries and complications in seniors. The ability to move freely with safety and confidence are essential to a high quality of life. For this reason, as we age we need to monitor our balance, and train ourselves in the "skill of balance."

We understand the importance that balance plays for safety, walking, and living independently. A physical or occupational therapist can help to:

•  Evaluate posture, balance, strength, endurance, and the ability to move joint and develop a program that is appropriate.
•  Educate you on the nature and origin of your balance or dizziness problem.
•  Provide balance and vestibular retraining, and fall prevention techniques and exercises to help significantly reduce the potential for falls from balance related conditions.
•  Develop an exercise program that is appropriate and work to transition you to wellness programs and activities you enjoy.
•  Answer questions or refer you to other professionals if necessary.

Our rehab specialists treat and offer state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for balance disorders and movement-related dizziness caused by:

•     Vestibular (Inner Ear) Problems
•     Neurological Conditions - such as those cause by stroke, disease, or trauma

Therapy is provided by physical therapists that are specially trained in vestibular therapy. The therapist will develop an individualized exercise and movement program that will promote optimal function, safe mobility, and improved quality of life.

Vestibular rehabilitation goals may be designed to:

•     Decrease dizziness
•     Improve balance function
•     Improve visual motor control
•     Increase general activity levels
•     Help compensate for inner ear disorders

Neuro Rehab utilizes doctors of physical therapy with specialized and advanced training in the treatment of the following neurological conditions:

•     Stroke (CVA, TBI)
•     Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
•     Spinal Injuries
•     Parkinson's Disease (PD)
•     Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
•     Brain Tumors
•     Rare Neurological
•     Genetic Disorders
•     Other conditions affecting the brain and central nervous system

These conditions often result in numerous impairments with movement, walking, balance, strength, coordination, endurance, and tolerance to general activities of daily living.

A skilled and thorough evaluation must be conducted to recognize the best treatment methods, which may include:

•     One-On-One-Care
•     Partial Weight Bearing Training
•     Neuromuscular Reeducation
•     Hands-On Physical Therapy
•     Computerized Dynamic Platform Posturography
•     Computer-Based Movement Programs
•     Interactive Metronome

People living with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as other Neurological conditions are often forced to change their activities and life style. The LSVT BIG program gives patients the opportunity to restore their movement and improve their balance. The program helps patients walk faster, take bigger steps, improve balance, improve daily activities and improve trunk rotation with activities.

The program is a treatment protocol is 16 sessions over four weeks that can be modified to meet the goals of each individual and can be modified to meet people where they are within the disease progression. Working with a LSVT certified therapist and being compliant with assigned home exercises has been shown to help patients dealing with these limitations return safely to activities they have been avoiding. 

Urinary Incontinence is the leakage of urine at inappropriate times. There are several types of incontinence, including:

Stress Incontinence

•     Leakage that occurs due to weakness in the muscle that helps keep your bladder closed

Urge Incontinence

•     Leakage that occurs as soon as you get the urge to go to the bathroom

Mixed Incontinence

•     Both Stress and Urge Incontinence

Functional Incontinence

•     Urine leaks when you cannot get to the bathroom in time

Overactive Bladder

•     Your bladder empties frequently throughout the day (more than every 3 or 4 hours during the day) or makes you get up more than once to urinate at night.

Once the physical therapist conducts an evaluation, he/she will individualize treatments to strengthen your pelvic-floor muscles and improve their function.

Your physical therapist can help you:

•     Gain control over your symptoms
•     Reduce the need for pads and special undergarments, incontinence medications, and possibly surgery.
•     Find the right muscles and teach you how to use them correctly. Using pelvic-floor exercises, the therapist will help you strengthen those muscles so that you can better control your bladder.
•     Instruct you in exercises to stretch and strengthen other important muscles, so that they can support proper bladder function.

Additionally, a physical therapist can provide information about:

•     Diet and nutrition to avoid food and drinks that may irritate the bladder.
•     Changing behaviors that may make symptoms worse.
•     Ways to decrease urinary urge and frequency.

ADOS-2 is a standardized assessment tool that helps providers diagnose autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children and adults. Using modules customized for the patient’s age and language ability, our trained clinicians evaluate communication skills, social interaction, and imaginative use of materials.

Want to learn more? Call 330-674-9066