Aquatic Therapy is a unique therapy that uses the water to facilitate pain free movement. The water decreases inflammation, increases range of motion, and allows for pain free strengthening.
Increase Recovery
Aquatic Therapy can benefit a wide range of injuries from arthritis, sprains, strains, overuse, back injuries, fractures, and pre-operative conditions. It can increase the speed of recovery by providing exercise in a non-weight bearing environment
Return Earlier
The water allows a return to cardiovascular training, proprioception retraining, and whole body strengthening before land training would allow. Buoyancy assists in supporting your weight, decreasing the amount of weight bearing and stress placed on the joints. Viscosity provides an excellent source of resistance that can allow for muscle strengthening without the need for weights.
Decrease Swelling
Hydrostatic pressure helps decrease swelling and improves joint awareness and assists in decreasing joint and soft tissue swelling that results after an injury or with arthritic disorders.
How Long Are Sessions?
All programs are individualized and created for you so that each person will be doing different water exercises. In general, the first day will typically last 30-45 minutes, to make sure you do not get sore, and then progress to 60 minutes. Depending on your comfort level and injury, your individualized program will consist of a mix of shallow and deep water exercises with and without equipment.
What Do I Bring?
You will need a swimsuit that will tolerate exercise and keep you decent, non-white shorts or tee shirt are acceptable as long as the edges are not frayed. You will need to bring a towel. If you have sensitive feet or poor balance water socks/shoes are recommended. There are also water workout shoes you can purchase for foot support if needed, you can find them at sprintaquatics.com or at your local athletic store.
Is The Pool Warm?
Check in at the Davenport Towers, 111 S. Post St Spokane, Wa. and you will be directed to the locker rooms and the pool. The pool is kept at 86 degrees, 4 degrees warmer than lap swim pools. There is also a hot tub kept at 103 degrees.
Where Do I Change?
The Davenport has locker rooms and showers but you may also come dressed and ready to go. Please shower before entering the pool.
Welcome to the pool! All aquatic therapy sessions will be primarily conducted by Tayler Burnam, PTA. Tayler has been a valued member of the UDPT family for several years, holding multiple positions within the clinic. She began as an aide working with the previous Aquatic Program Director, Amber Nelson, where she first developed her passion for aquatic therapy. Tayler continued her studies at Spokane Falls Community College, graduating as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2022. She then apprenticed directly under Amber Nelson as an Aquatic Therapist. Tayler initially found her love for the water as a member of her high school varsity swim team. She specializes in aquatic therapy and is committed to lifelong learning to educate her community on its benefits. She provides individualized, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s needs, focusing on functional movement patterns with the goal of returning clients to a high level of activity.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to her via email at tayler@udistrictpt.com or by text at 509-795-0214