Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic Therapy at UVM Health

Aquatic therapy, also called aquatic physical therapy or pool therapy, involves performing therapeutic exercises in a therapy pool. Exercising in water takes pressure off your joints and muscles. This treatment can be an ideal complement to traditional physical therapy, especially if you struggle with balance, pain or low endurance.

At University of Vermont Health, we understand how challenging it is to deal with injuries or chronic pain. Our aquatic physical therapy team has decades of experience. We develop personalized care plans designed to get you back to your highest level of function.

An aquatic therapist helps a patient float on his back in the pool.

Why Choose UVM Health?

As one of the leading rehabilitation programs in the region, we offer:

Access to care: We offer rehabilitation services in multiple locations throughout Vermont and northern New York. No matter where you live, you have easy access to expert care.
Specialized skills: Our physical therapists have specialized training in aquatic rehabilitation. We commit to high-quality treatment, continually bringing you the latest techniques and tools.
Patient-centered treatment: We listen to your concerns and create care plans customized to your goals. We work to make sure you understand your treatment and feel confident actively participating in it.

Conditions We Treat

We use aquatic therapy to treat a variety of conditions, including:

Arthritis: Tenderness, swelling and inflammation in your joints, often occurring when the protective tissue between bones (cartilage) wears away (osteoarthritis)
Back pain: May be caused by underlying conditions that affect your spinal bones and nerves
Gait and balance disorders: Conditions that affect how steady you are on your feet
Neurological conditions: Disorders that affect your brain, spinal cord or nerves, such as multiple sclerosis
Spinal injuries: Including spinal fractures, which often occur as a result of sudden trauma to your spine
Sports injuries: Including orthopedic injuries such as fractures, sprains or dislocations

Aquatic therapy may also be appropriate for people recovering from orthopedic surgery, including joint replacement. The treatment works for people of all ability levels, including those who use crutches, canes or walkers.

What to Expect

Before starting aquatic therapy, you will have a consultation with a physical therapist. The therapist will evaluate your function and ask about your concerns and goals. They then develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

During your aquatic therapy sessions, you will exercise in a therapy pool heated to about 88 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit. You will work one-on-one with a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant who has special training in aquatic rehabilitation. Usually, you will start with simple exercises and no added resistance. As you build strength, you may work with resistive equipment such as:

Flippers
Floats
Paddles
Weights

Aquatic therapy can increase strength, stability and range of motion. When you’ve achieved your goals in the pool, you may transition to land-based physical therapy to continue treatment.