Skip to content
Call

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy is a unique form of physical therapy that incorporates water to unload the body during exercise to improve movement with less pain and difficulty.

Performing exercise in the water provides many benefits. The unique properties of the water decrease compression through the joints, can reduce inflammation and improves pain-free movement. Aquatic therapy is a great tool for those patients who have difficulty performing exercises on land.

Benefits of the water

Buoyancy

  • Reduces Joint Impact
  • Allows for ease of movement
  • Improves range of motion

Therapeutic temperature (94 degrees)

  • Facilitates muscle relaxation
  • Decreases Pain
  • Decreases abnormal tone, spasticity and rigidity
  • Increases flexibility
  • Increases blood flow

Hydrostatic pressure

  • Increases venous return and circulation
  • Provides joint positional awareness
  • Decreases edema

Viscosity

  • Provides resistance for strength training
  • Stimulates body awareness
  • Improves trunk stability

Psychosocial benefit

  • Improves attitude and patient morale
  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Positive medium to allow patient return to prior level of function​

Common Diagnoses Seen

  • Low back pain
  • Post-op (spine, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle)
  • Imbalance/Fall Risk
  • Neuro patients
  • Chronic Pain

Who benefits from Aquatic Therapy at Preferred Physical Therapy?

When exercising in a physical therapy pool, hydrostatic pressure, water temperature, and resistance combine to enhance cardiovascular stamina, muscle strength, and flexibility to drive early range of motion gains during post-surgery recovery. Gait training in a low-impact environment allows for earlier replication of proper ambulatory biomechanics and reduces the accumulated damage of land exercise.

After any type of injury or surgery, increasing your mobility while still maintaining conditioning is a top priority. By taking advantage of the body’s buoyancy in water, the advanced technology of HydroWorx’s fitness and physical therapy pools eliminates 20% to 100% of a person’s bodyweight. As a result, patients or athletes who are unable to exercise on land can achieve immediate rehabilitative results with little to no bodyweight underwater.

The Preferred PT Difference

More Board Certified Experts

Experience high-quality care from a team you can trust.

Specialty-Level Care

Target your discomfort at the source with a customized treatment plan.

State-of-the-art Facilities

Experience cutting-edge treatment from compassionate therapists.

Aquatic Therapy Locations

Gladstone

101 Northwest Englewood Road #110
Gladstone, MO 64118
View Location

Lansing

712 1st Terrace #103
Lansing, KS 66043-1735
View Location

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A physical therapy visit lasts about 40-60 minutes. The actual contents of the visit vary based on your diagnosis/need, but typically what happens is:

    1. You check in with the receptionist, make any appointments necessary, and we discuss your health insurance benefits with you.
    2. You go into the gym. You can change clothes if you need to, then begin therapy.
    3. You perform 6-8 various exercises and stretches. These can include therapeutic band exercises, light body weight exercises, or minimal weights. The stretches will promote strength, stability, improved range of motion, and pain relief.
    4. We can initiate other techniques to include manual work, taping, cupping, and dry needling as needed.
    5. The therapist makes recommendations based on your progress. These can include altering the frequency of visits, making additions/alterations to your home exercise plan, or things to do before your next visit.
  • We recommend budgeting 40-60 minutes for a typical therapy session. The only exception to this will be your first visit, which can take about 20 minutes longer due to the physical therapy evaluation your therapist will provide. We also recommend showing up about 10-15 minutes early to your first visit. This way, you can complete the paperwork before your visit time and streamline the process.

  • If we are asking you to do something that is hurting too much, let us know! Physical therapy should not be severely painful. It is not common to be so sore that patients are in pain or it affects their daily life. If this ever happens during or after an appointment, let us know and we will adapt your program.

  • During your initial evaluation, your therapist may ask you a number of questions to determine what the cause of your pain is. This can include questions about your sleep habits, activity level, and work environment. They will also ask for a medical history, and then typically ask direct questions about where and when you experience pain.

Have more questions? Contact Us

People in Louisville Trust Preferred PT

Hear from patients that reclaimed their lives.

“Everyone there is so friendly and kind! Especially my therapist Becky! She feels like my friend. On top of that, she is good at what she does.” – Ada B.

5 stars

Ada B.

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

My pain was very great when I started therapy. The staff was helped me work through the pain. I am thankful my balance has greatly improved and swelling and pain is almost gone completely. I’m thankful I can walk again. Very positive experience for me.

 

 

5 stars

Carolyn

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

Began PT with significant neck pain, contemplating the possibility of surgery. I now have significant relief, with great range of motion both horizontal and vertical direction. Additionally, teaching me things I an do at home has resulted in continued range of motion and comfort.

5 stars

Clyde

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“Excellent staff, timing is always right on, no waiting, very knowledgeable staff and professional. Won’t go anywhere else but this location. Thank you all of you!” – Elizabeth W.

5 stars

Elizabeth W.

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“The therapy I received addressed the problems that I was having and provided a set of exercises to continue at home.” – John P.

5 stars

John P

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

When I came in for my first visit a few days after my surgery my knee bend was only 85º. Now at my last visit my bend is 115º! I am doing stairs almost normally, it is awesome! I am using my stationary bike at home just like I did before.

 

 

5 stars

Judy

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“Therapists are very attentive to the needs of their patients. Extra care is taken to ensure a healthy and safe environment for professional health that monitors and progresses the ability of the patient.” – Mark Y.

5 stars

Mark Y.

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“Truly care about the health of their patients. Always have a smile and treat each person with pride and kindness.” – Patricia

5 stars

Patricia

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“Quality communication and explanation so you understand the interventions and exercises.” – Rachel G.

5 stars

Rachel G.

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“I feel very comfortable with the wonderful care and attention provided from all of your representatives, especially from my therapist, Josh.” – Rose

5 stars

Rose

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

I would highly recommend Preferred Physical Therapy to anyone looking for a physical therapist. Every staff member is kind, courteous, and knowledgeable. The receptionist are great at working with you in scheduling your appointment.

 

5 stars

Sean

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“I felt welcomed and valued as a patient.” – Shaina R.

5 stars

Shaina R.

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

This has been a very positive experience and I am very pleased with my progress and the direction/instructions I was given. Staff are very friendly and encouraging. I feel much more in control of my situation after my treatment here.

 

5 stars

Tambra

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient

“Excellent experience. The physical therapist worked with me every single time.” – Helen S. Leawood, KS

5 stars

Hellen S. Leawood

Preferred Physical Therapy Patient
Schedule Now