Blog Layout

Introduction to Aquatic Therapy

July 13, 2022

An Introduction to Aquatic Therapy

Did you know that there are therapeutic interventions that can be done in the water? Spoiler-they can!  Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy can all be performed in the water!


The 5 Basic Benefits of Aquatic Therapy:


1. Better Balance and Stability

Water helps individuals to maintain balance in standing and walking as it floats the body.


2. Muscular Relaxation

Pools used for therapy are warmer (around 85 degrees) which helps:

  • Relax tight muscles
  • Increases muscular range of motion
  • Decreases high tone
  • Decrease muscle spasticity and rigidness


3. Reduce Pain

For individuals recovering from injuries such as fractures, working in a pool can help decrease pain and is easier because their bodies are supported by the water, which helps with energy conservation and more fluid movement.


4. Improved Mobility

Body's can move easier in water due to the fact that water's buoyancy offsets an individual's body weight. Because of this fact, there is less weight (and stress) on the joints, making it easier to move when the body is submerged in the water. 


5. Sensory Input

Water provides sensory input for individuals, which can be particularly beneficial for those who have increased sensory needs, thus allowing individuals to focus more on their therapy goals.


Shout out to Meghan Tullos, physical therapist assistant for sharing her knowledge on the benefits of aquatic therapy! Meghan most of her professional career as an aquatic therapy provider, and has seen firsthand how beneficial aquatic therapy can be!


November 18, 2024
Learn about a local family's journey through the fostering experience and with the adoption process in Maryland!
November 13, 2024
Fun Thanksgiving Food Crafts Looking for some fun and easy Thanksgiving-themed food crafts this year? These simple crafts are easy to set up and sure to add some joy to your family's celebration! Whether it's arranging the morning waffles to resemble a cute turkey or tucking some fresh veggies into a crescent roll for a festive cornucopia, these fun Thanksgiving crafts are sure to bring some smiles this holiday season. 
November 6, 2024
Thanksgiving Guide for Picky Eaters Feeling a bit tense about how your picky eater is going to feel this Thanksgiving? Have no fear - our dietitian, Emily, has some excellent advice on how navigate the holidays with a picky eater. 
October 28, 2024
Halloween Themed Food & Snacks Halloween brings out the kid in all of us! While dressing up your child or adding decorations to your house, don’t forget to have fun with food too. Here is a list of super cute ways (and easy!) ways to bring the spooky holiday to your plate! 
October 21, 2024
Everyone has moments when they do not speak smoothly. It is developmentally normal for children to experience disfluency, or difficulty speaking, during the first few years of speech and language development. Stuttering, on the other hand, is a speech disorder that is characterized by disruptions in the flow of speech that are often accompanied by behaviors or frustration, or negative associations with speaking or embarrassment. People who stutter may experience repetitions (repeat parts of a word), prolongations (stretch a sound out for a long time), or blocks (struggle to get a word out). These are known as disfluencies . But, stuttering is more than disfluency. Stuttering may also include tension, anxiety or negative feelings about talking. While there is no "cure" for stuttering, there are plenty of treatment options available to help individuals who stutter. A speech language pathologist can utilize several strategies to help reduce the frequency and to cope with stuttering. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), stuttering usually begins in early childhood, with onset typically beginning between the ages of 2 and 5. However, data shows that up to 80% of children who stutter will not stutter in adulthood. Because stuttering is often a more complex issue than disfluency, it is vital to seek evaluation from an experienced SLP. Research demonstrates that early intervention programs can make a huge difference in whether stuttering carries over into adulthood. When performing an evaluation for stuttering, the SLP will look at: Types of disfluencies The number of disfluencies How your child reacts when they stutter (do they get upset) Does your child try to “fix” their speech (do they start a sentence of or stop talking) An important difference between stuttering and disfluency is that stuttering is often accompanied by negative emotions around speaking and communication. An SLP will look for signs of discomfort or tension when your child is speaking. They will also take into consideration your child’s age and how stuttering affects their daily life. Especially with young children, it is critical to evaluate the differences between stuttering and developmental disfluencies. In preschool-age children, for example, stuttering is often accompanied by various behaviors , including facial tension, eye blinking, frustration or reduced verbal output. If your child struggles with stuttering and you are unsure whether you should seek treatment, here are some guidelines for when to reach out to a speech/language therapist: The stuttering persists longer than six months and occurs frequently during the day The child shows tension, a facial grimace, or struggle behavior during speech The child avoids talking situations or expresses concerns about speech The child avoids saying certain words or sounds The family has a concern about their child’s speech The child has shown signs of frustration or embarrassment during or after a stutter event Treatment methods for stuttering can include promoting confident communication, practicing mindfulness, modifying speech and facilitating desensitization for stuttering. An important part of treatment may also include self-advocacy, and promoting acceptance of stuttering so that children can reduce the negative feelings that accompany instances of stuttering. Examples of treatment techniques include: Breathing exercises Stretching exercises Fluency-shaping techniques Slow speech production Overall, disfluency should be considered normal as everyone does it occasionally. Oftentimes, it is simply a part of development for children. Working with an SLP can help with both disfluency and stuttering, however, they cannot “cure” stuttering, but rather assist a child with strategies for reduction and acceptance of it. If you are looking for treatment for stuttering, please reach out to our office today to learn more about how PMC’s speech therapists can help you.
October 9, 2024
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
Show More
Share by: