FirstHealth Centers for Rehabilitation are the only rehabilitation program in the area to offer aquatic therapy. Our aquatic rehabilitation therapists work with patients whose illness or condition make traditional land-based therapy too painful or difficult.

Aquatic therapy is appropriate for a variety of diagnoses including arthritis, chronic pain conditions, post-operative pain and weakness, neurological disorders, orthopaedic and sport injuries, gait and balance deficits and pregnancy.

Benefits of aquatic therapy include:

• Relaxation
  Exercising in warm water temperatures increases blood flow to muscles, allowing them to relax and improve range of motion.

• Reduced Joint Stress
  Buoyancy (the ability to float in water) helps reduce the stress on joints. Fifty percent of a person’s body weight is displaced in water. This allows for improved muscle performance and ease of movement.

• Strength
  Water resistance provides muscles with an efficient, low-impact workout.

• Pain reduction
  Relaxation of muscles, decreased stress on weight-bearing joints, and improved movement and strengthening of muscles provide relief from pain.

Patients do not need to know how to swim to receive aquatic therapy.

FirstHealth offers aquatic therapy at most locations, including a warm-water pool at the Aviemore location. For more information, call (910) 715-1600.