Why Water?
Aquatic Therapy combines the benefit of exercise with buoyancy and resistance of warm water to create a controlled, productive environment for rehabilitation. With a skilled clinical team and a state of the industry aquatic therapy program, both swimmers and non-swimmers of all ages and abilities can benefit from the healing effects of aquatic physical therapy. These benefits include: allowing the body to move more freely and easier than on land; decreasing joint compression forces; helping to diminish joint swelling by evening hydrostatic pressure.
What's Most Important?
For most physicians, compliance is foremost; knowing that your patient will follow through, complete the prescribed regime, and return to you in a better place than where they started. For clients, we feel it's learning techniques to decrease pain, gaining strength, and being able to return to doing the things that they enjoy. Integrated Therapy understands the needs that both physicians and patients have. Our commitment is to combine professional skills with compassion, understanding that each patient needs individualized care from a provider who is a concerned member of their treatment team.
Conditions We Treat
• Pre & Post-Surgical Orthopaedic
(including hip, knee, back, shoulder, and neck)
• Chronic Pain
• Muscle and Joint Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Parkinson's Disease
• Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Sports Related Injuries
• Soft Tissue Injuries
• Weakness or Loss of Range of Motion
• Neurological Disorders
• and More!
What to Expect
Our physical and occupational therapists are specialized in the aquatic treatment of injuries to muscles, bones, ligaments, joints and nerves. Our goal is to return patients to their normal activities while helping them move and feel better and prevent re-injury in a more pain-free environment. Aquatic therapy is easy, fun and has less stress on your body.
Initial Visit
During your first visit, a thorough evaluation will be performed by a physical or occupational therapist on land and not in the water. During the evaluation, your therapist may perform a series of tests to determine range of motion, muscle strength, postural alignment, abnormalities in walking patterns, body mechanics, or quality of movement. Short and long-term goals will be established in your plan of care.
Treatments
Under the careful guidance of your therapist, patients work on a wide range of exercises and activities designed especially for each patient in the aquatic environment. Your therapist will utilize the physical properties of the water to achieve your short and long-term goals. Most exercises are completed standing in chest-height water with additional procedures supported in the water if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Integrated Therapy?We strive to provide excellent and individualized care in a supportive environment where the focus is your goals and helping you return to the activities you enjoy! You will work with a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant to meet your goals to improve your quality of life. Every therapist is easily accessible via phone and ready to help you be the best that you can be!
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Why aquatic therapy versus land Physical or Occupational therapy?Joints that are painful on land will be less painful in the water. Because of this, you are better able to increase your range of motion, increase your strength, decrease edema and improve your function on land...all with LESS PAIN! A therapeutic pool is warm which allows your muscles to relax and your pain to be decreased. The water is a safe and supportive environment for working on improving balance and coordination. The water allows you to work on posture and walking in a safe environment where you don't have to worry about falling!
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I am afraid of the water but I want aquatic therapy. What do I do?You might be surprised to know how many people are afraid of pools/swimming. We have treated many people who are scared of pools helping you overcome your fear of the water so that you can benefit from aquatic therapy. The therapy sessions can be completed standing in shallow water only 3 1/2 to 4 feet high. We do not submerge under the waters surface. Our therapists are welcoming and will be with you in the water so you are able to maximize your pool experience and help to alleviate your fears.
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Will my hair get wet?Our therapy sessions can be performed standing at waist to chest high water. With your permission, some activities are are completed floating on the water with support. Your head will be supported above the water, however, the back of your neck may get wet.
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What to bring?On your first visit evaluation you’ll need to bring your physician referral or prescription (if needed), your insurance card, your primary registration forms, and your co-payment (if applicable). They evaluation will last about 1 hour and we typically do not enter the water until your second visit. When treating in the pool, you may bring a change of clothing, swimwear, water shoes (recommended) and a towel to dry off.
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Does my insurance cover aquatic Physical and Occupational therapy?Yes! Integrated Therapy is in network with most major insurance companies, Medicare, and Worker's Compensation. Our office will verify your insurance benefits for aquatic physical or occupational therapy prior to your first session.
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What insurance do you accept?• AARP • Aetna • Blue Cross Blue Shield • Cigna • GEHA • Humana • Kaiser Permanente • Medicare • Mutual of Omaha • Principal Life • Railroad Medicare • Travelers Insurance • Tricare • United Healthcare • US Department of Labor • Most workers' compensation cases Other insurances may be covered. Call 404-351-5307 or 1-888-297-5909 and we will be happy to verify your benefits