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.
Video Swim Analysis
Swim analysis can improve swimming efficiency and prevent injury. Video will be taken both above water and underwater, with immediate review of your video and swimming feedback.
We will then work on technique and practice necessary changes in 30 minutes sessions. Email Amber Nelson at amber@udistrictpt.com if you are interested.
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 front desk 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 Spokane Club has locker rooms and showers but you may also come dressed and ready to go. If you desire, you may pick up a lock at the front desk to use the lockers for your belongings during your session, or you may bring your bag onto the deck of the pool. Please shower before entering the pool.
About Amber Nelson: All sessions are conducted by Amber Nelson- MPT, OCS, ATRIC. Amber earned her BS at Washington State University, where she also competed for the WSU swim team and was honored as a NCAA All American Academic Athlete. She then earned her Masters in Physical Therapy from Eastern Washington University in 1999. Amber has been working in aquatic therapy since 2002 and is a Certified Aquatic Specilist (ATRIC). Amber provides individual, research based therapy with a focus on functional movement, returning her clients to their high levels of activity. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call us at 458-7686 or email Amber at amber@udistrictpt.com.