AQUATIC THERAPY PROGRAM At each one hour session, the patient will receive personalized, one-on-one care. Session 1 - In clinic Complete, personalized evaluation of your body, any pains, and your fitness goals Recommendations to relieve pain, improve posture, and promote fitness Session 2- In pool Instruction in an individually designed aquatic program Review and practice of all aspects of therapeutic program Session 3 - In pool Fine-tuning of program to ensure comfort and effectiveness Coaching to progress exercise routine If patients wish, they can continue on an ongoing basis with the therapist. Take The Load Off! Do you have pregnancy aches and pains? At a time when the stresses on your body are increasing, it’s important to take pain seriously. An aquatic therapy program designed for you by a licensed physical therapist is an ideal way to alleviate pain and get the workout you need. Alleviate back pain and other types of pain throughout the body Strengthen key muscles, included those needed for childbirth Maintain your desired fitness level and weight throughout your pregnancy Improve posture and body image Learn what to do post-partum Exercise and Feel Great! As part of your therapy, you will receive an individualized exercise program that can be done in any pool. As your pregnancy progresses, a regular exercise program is important. However certain types of exercise can be too stressful and lead to overload on your joints. Aquatic exercise is ideal during pregnancy because: You can get a good workout while maintaining a safe body temperature and lower heart rate Buoyancy reduces stress on joints and the whole body Water provides resistance in all directions, for a balanced workout Additional benefits: Improves circulation, eases pressure on veins, and decreases swelling in legs and feet Enhances balance and coordination as you adjust to your changing body Relaxing, soothing, and promotes better sleep Focus on Fibromyalgia - an Aquatic Solution Unlike a broken bone in a cast, Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a syndrome that is not seen. It is characterized by generalized muscle pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, and sleep disturbances. Although Fibromyalgia causes no deformity and rarely worsens over time, it can greatly affect one¹s quality of life. Our success in treating Fibromyalgia includes improving aerobic fitness and flexibility. Water is an ideal environment for unloading the spine and joints allowing movement patterns with less pain. Water provides a safe environment so one can exercise without overexerting muscles. · It has been proven by research that a gradual but consistent aquatic program decreases complaints with FMS such as fatigue, stiffness, poor quality sleep, and pain! Aquatic Therapy Implications for the Injured Athelete The irony of aquatic therapy is that before a person is introduced to the treatment, they usually have suffered a debilitating injury. But once one discovers the rehabilitative effects of water, they become aquatic therapy believers! Early intervention is a key benefit of aquatic therapy for the injured athlete. Athletes can begin to work on mobility, strengthening, and sports-related drills without the weight bearing stress placed on their joints. This is because buoyancy works opposite to gravity. The greater depth of water the less impact that is placed on the joints. Body weight is relieved 25% at knee depth, and up to 90% at neck depth. Another benefit of aquatic therapy for the injured athlete is that water provides at least 12 times the resistance of air. This resistance is multidirectional, thus one can work on muscular balance, coordination, body alignment and posture. Furthermore, as one increases the speed of movement, the water¹s resistance also increases. Aquatic therapy is helpful to injured athletes when it comes to cardiovascular health as well. When athletes have an injury, especially with a weight bearing extremity, their cardiovascular fitness can be significantly compromised because they are not able to do anything to get their heart rate up. Performing activities in the water can help athletes maintain their cardiovascular fitness. Returning to function sooner is the goal of aquatic therapy. Once an athlete is aware of the benefits of aquatic therapy, and the various types of training that can be performed in the water to facilitate their recovery, they see a difference in their performance on land! Frequently Asked Questions Can I do aquatic therapy if I have a high-risk pregnancy? Often you can, with physician approval. Because aquatic exercise is less stressful, it can be ideal for women with high-risk and multiple pregnancies. Is a shower and locker room available? Yes, our clients have guest privileges in the Hills’ locker room. Towels are provided. What is the temperature and depth of the water? The Hills’ indoor pool is four feet deep and kept at a comfortable 84ºF. Do I need to know how to swim? No, programs are designed with respect to the patient’s skill and comfort level in the water. About Kathryn Smathers, PT Kathryn Smathers specializes in individualized aquatic therapy programs and has been a licensed physical therapist since 1982. In addition to treating pregnant and post-partum women, she works with patients who have chronic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, total joint replacement, neurological, and sports-related injuries. She has traveled nationally to further her aquatic therapy expertise and is certified by: The Aquatic Exercise Association and The Aquatic Therapy Rehabilitation Institute

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