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Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic Therapy at Vernon Health offers a warm-water environment that makes movement easier, reduces stress on your joints, and supports comfortable healing. Using guided exercises and functional activities in the pool, patients experience less pain and improved mobility while working toward their therapy goals. Our trained Physical and Occupational Therapists tailor each plan of care to meet your needs, helping you move with confidence in a setting designed for safety and support. Whether you’re managing pain, rebuilding strength, or improving flexibility, Aquatic Therapy offers a calm, engaging space to support your recovery.

Key Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy provides safe, low-impact support that helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and build strength more comfortably.

Reduced Joint Stress

Warm water and buoyancy reduce the amount of weight placed on your joints. This allows you to move more freely while limiting strain during therapy activities.

Engaging Sessions

Water resistance provides a safe way to build strength, improve balance, and increase flexibility. Sessions are active, supportive, and designed to keep movement comfortable.

Decreased Pain

The water supports your body and decreases pressure on sore muscles and joints. The warmth improves circulation, helping muscles relax and easing discomfort.

Personalized Care

Each patient begins with an evaluation by a Physical or Occupational Therapist. Your therapist develops a plan of care and determines how the therapy pool will support your treatment goals.

Our Aquatic Therapy Program

Therapy Pool

Our 20×30-foot warm-water pool is kept at a soothing 93°F to support comfort and mobility. It includes four depth levels ranging from 3’6” to 5’3”, with stairs, two railings, a ladder, and a lift chair for safe entry and exit. The pool is located on the lower level of Vernon Health, and wheelchair transport is available if needed. Pool use is included as part of your skilled therapy and ends when your therapy program is complete.

Patients work with a trained and experienced Physical Therapist Assistant to improve core stability, posture, mobility, and balance. Reduced weight bearing helps make activities less painful while supporting safe, guided movement. When appropriate, Aquatic Bodywork and Ai Chi may also be incorporated into sessions.
Focus Areas:

    • Core stabilization and postural alignment

    • Mobility, balance, and movement awareness

    • Low-impact strengthening with reduced weight bearing

    • Less painful activity through water support

Aquatic Occupational Therapy is provided by a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and focuses on treatment, rehabilitation, and self-management techniques. This approach is especially helpful for individuals with chronic swelling, lymphedema, or chronic pain. Aquatic Bodywork and Ai Chi may also be included when appropriate.
Focus Areas:

  • Education and self-management strategies

  • Support for chronic swelling, lymphedema, and chronic pain

  • Guided, low-impact functional movement in warm water

Aquatic Bodywork provides a nurturing, floating experience in warm water to support deep relaxation, decreased pain, and reduced stress. During sessions, the patient is gently floated, cradled, rocked, and stretched to encourage release and comfort. It is especially valuable for individuals who struggle with functional activities due to pain, muscle spasm, or spasticity. It may also benefit those managing orthopedic concerns, arthritis, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. Every session is tailored to the patient’s needs.

Ai Chi combines slow, continuous water-based movements with deep breathing. Performed in shoulder-depth water, this method begins with static, symmetrical patterns and progresses to dynamic, rotational movements. The focus on alignment, balance, and diaphragmatic breathing supports relaxation and controlled mobility. Ai Chi includes 16 movement patterns designed to promote calm, strength, and stability in the water.

FAQ

What does Aquatic Therapy involve?

Aquatic Therapy uses warm water, reduced weight bearing, and guided exercises to support comfortable movement. Your sessions may include stretching, strengthening, or approaches like Aquatic Bodywork or Ai Chi depending on your plan of care.

What should I expect at my first appointment?

A physical or occupational therapist will complete an evaluation and create a plan tailored to your goals. They will explain how the therapy pool will be used as part of your skilled therapy sessions.

Is the therapy pool accessible?

Yes. The pool includes stairs with two railings, a ladder, and a lift chair. Wheelchair transport is available to and from the locker rooms if needed.

How does warm-water therapy help patients?

Many people look for therapy options that reduce discomfort. Warm water helps relax muscles, lessen joint stress, and support gentle movement, while natural resistance allows for low-impact strengthening and mobility work.

Where can I receive Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic Therapy is available in the therapy pool located in the lower level of Vernon Memorial Hospital. Your therapist will guide your sessions based on your individualized care plan.

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