One of the finest rehabilitation opportunities that SOMC Rehab Services has to offer our patients is our Aquatic Rehab program. Our 23,000-gallon therapy pool and our 4-lane, 25-meter lap/fitness pool offer two aquatic environments that afford our therapists the opportunity to deliver the highest level of rehabilitation. The therapy pool offers a warm and supportive environment for patients recovering from knee, shoulder, hip or lumbar surgery, or acute injury. With the advantage of the warm water, therapists can initiate rehab programs sooner after a surgery. This can decrease the overall time of the healing process and, in turn, the time needed for rehabilitation. With aquatic rehabilitation, patients with osteoporosis or arthritis are able to increase their activity levels more quickly than with traditional land-based programs.
The physical properties of water make it a safe and effective environment in which to achieve certain therapeutic goals. Our 23,000 gallon therapy pool is heated to 92-94 degrees and is used by patients with multiple sclerosis, arthritis, chronic back pain, total joint replacement, orthopedic injuries, those recovering from surgery or stroke and many other conditions. This low stress environment is wonderful for our pediatric clients and is even used for rehab of expecting mothers, spinal cord injuries and patients with fibromyalgia.
Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
- Allows the body to move more freely and easily than on land
- Decreases joint compression forces
- Even hydrostatic pressure helps diminish swelling around the joints and improves circulatory problems
- Promotes relaxation
- Improves patient morale and confidence
Program Goals
- Use low stress environment to initiate rehab earlier in recovery process
- Increase range of motion
- Improve balance and coordination
- Strengthen muscles
- Decrease pain
- Decrease swelling
- Decrease spasticity