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For more information, or to request referral forms, please call one of our locations.
Aquatic Physical Therapy
Patients may benefit from participating in physical therapy in a pool. Water provides buoyancy, which aids patients who have weight-bearing sensitivity or who are unable to tolerate a traditional exercise program.
At our program in Providence, licensed therapists provide individualized, professional and experienced care in a heated SwimEx pool, which generates water resistance to maximize the benefits of physical therapy.
Some of the diagnoses that benefit from aquatic physical therapy are:
- Arthritis
- Back pain/spine surgery
- Fibromyalgia
- Pre- and post-operative total joint replacement
- Trauma/fractures (without open wounds)
- Neurological conditions
The goal of aquatic PT is to allow patients to actively participate in an exercise program to improve function, then transition to a more traditional therapeutic program.
Aquatic Physical Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
Expand a section below to learn more about aquatic physical therapy.
Do I need to know how to swim?
You do not need to know how to swim but should be comfortable in a pool that ranges in depths up to 5 feet.
Is aquatic therapy billed as physical therapy?
Yes. Aquatic therapy is really aquatic physical therapy. It is a skilled service with direct care from a licensed therapist, so your insurer will be billed for physical therapy services.
How do I get into aquatic PT?
You need a referral from a doctor to be scheduled for a PT evaluation. After that, you will be oriented to the pool area and scheduled for follow-up visits in aquatic PT.