Aquatic Therapy for Children
Aquatic therapy is an effective and entertaining way for children to recover from injuries or resolve symptoms from an underlying condition. This unique treatment method uses the properties of water to enhance your child’s function. Plus, they can have fun in the water while working on recovery!
There are several conditions that aquatic therapy can treat at Skills on the Hill in Washington DC and Arlington, VA. If you’re eager to learn more or are wondering if your child is a good fit, be sure to call our clinic today!
What is pediatric aquatic therapy?
Pediatric aquatic therapy is a swimming pool-based treatment program that offers a range of amazing benefits for kids. Aquatic therapy can help your child increase their strength and ability to move their joints in a fun and entertaining setting.
Water supports the body and can help facilitate movements. Pediatric aquatic therapy can also help children achieve strength, range of motion, flexibility, balance, coordination, and endurance goals. The buoyant properties of water help reduce body weight, allowing a child to move in ways they can’t on land.
Conditions that pediatric aquatic therapy can treat
Several conditions can be addressed with pediatric aquatic therapy, including:
- Attention deficit disorder (ADHD)
- Cerebral palsy
- Autism and other sensory processing disorders
- Muscular weakness (caused by down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Cerebral palsy)
- Developmental delays
- Orthopedic injuries (sports injuries, fractures, sprains, etc.)
Aquatic therapy is also a great solution for children who are fearful or uncomfortable with the idea of treatment in a clinic setting.
Benefits of aquatic therapy
Some helpful ways aquatic therapy can benefit your child’s development include:
Increased strength and range of motion. For children who have suffered an injury such as a bone fracture, their ability to move joints freely is highly restricted due to swelling and loss of strength in their muscles. Aquatic exercises help improve balance and coordination following an injury.
Improves breath control and respiration. Aquatic therapy can help with a number of speech issues because of the resistance to water. Your pediatric therapist may have your child perform simple exercises such as briefly holding their breath underwater while practicing arm movements.
Reach developmental achievements. The most rewarding part of pediatric therapy is reaching goals! Aquatic therapy can help children with developmental issues improve movements like crawling, walking, and jumping. Because it’s much easier to move in water than on land, aquatic therapy can help develop functional abilities and reach developmental milestones.
If your child doesn’t fear water, they will likely see aquatic therapy sessions as a fun exercise rather than a task. Being in our therapy pool can feel like a recreational activity. Plus, aquatic therapy doesn’t put as much stress on the body, making it a safe choice for recovery.
What does a child do in aquatic therapy?
Our pediatric therapists at Skills on the Hill will teach your child different techniques that address the symptoms of their specific condition. Before designing a treatment plan, your child’s therapist will assess their symptoms, medical history, and other health factors to determine which exercises work best for them! Some aquatic therapy methods your child may practice include:
- Walking with the support of the water.
- Floating on their back and practicing arm and leg exercises.
- Using floats and other supports to make movement easier.
- Practicing balance and coordination.
- Splashing or dipping arms and legs in the water to increase body awareness.
Is aquatic therapy right for my child?
Aquatic can help treat various conditions, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and sensory-processing disorders. Water can be calming and help with sensory organization. Aquatic therapy can also help if your child has sustained an injury and needs more support for movement and recovery.
The best way to determine if aquatic therapy is right for your child is by visiting us for a consultation!
Adaptive swim lessons
Skills on the Hill offers adaptive swim lessons to help children achieve individual swim goals, identify roadblocks, and improve overall swimming performance.
Guided by qualified, licensed professionals, our lessons can help children with anxiety and physical or sensory challenges.
Schedule your first appointment today!
Looking for something different than traditional therapy? Our team at Skills on the Hill can help! We’re eager to help our youthful patients thrive with rewarding treatment programs that can maximize their quality of life.
If you think aquatic therapy may be a good fit for your child or are curious to learn more, call our practice today!
Sources
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Aquatherapy
https://www.verywellhealth.com/aquatic-therapy-2696592
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/pediatrics/departments/aquatic-therapy