Aquatic Physical Therapy
Patients may benefit from participating in physical therapy in a pool. Water provides buoyancy, which aids patients who have weight-bearing sensitivity or who are unable to tolerate a traditional exercise program.
Contact Our Rehabilitation Services
For more information, or to request referral forms, please call one of our locations.
At our program in Providence, licensed therapists provide individualized, professional and experienced care in a heated SwimEx pool, which generates water resistance to maximize the benefits of physical therapy.
Some of the diagnoses that benefit from aquatic physical therapy are:
- Arthritis
- Back pain/spine surgery
- Fibromyalgia
- Pre- and post-operative total joint replacement
- Trauma/fractures (without open wounds)
- Neurological conditions
The goal of aquatic PT is to allow patients to actively participate in an exercise program to improve function, then transition to a more traditional therapeutic program.
Aquatic Physical Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
Expand a section below to learn more about aquatic physical therapy.
Do I need to know how to swim?
You do not need to know how to swim but should be comfortable in a pool that ranges in depths up to 5 feet.
Is aquatic therapy billed as physical therapy?
Yes. Aquatic therapy is really aquatic physical therapy. It is a skilled service with direct care from a licensed therapist, so your insurer will be billed for physical therapy services.
How do I get into aquatic PT?
You need a referral from a doctor to be scheduled for a PT evaluation. After that, you will be oriented to the pool area and scheduled for follow-up visits in aquatic PT.