Aquatic therapy or pool therapy is physical therapy that is performed in the water. Aquatic therapy use the resistance of water instead of weights.^[1] It aims to rehabilitate patients after injury or those with chronic illness, avoiding the amount of weight placed on the joints by exercise outside the water.

Therapists who work in water typically seek aquatic therapy training as most physical therapy programs do not provide education in aquatic therapy techniques. Aquatic Therapy University [2] provides therapists with post-graduate studies in aquatic therapy.

Examples of aquatic therapy techniques include: Ai Chi, Aquatic PNF, the Bad Ragaz Ring Method, Fluid Moves, the Halliwick Concept, Swim Stroke Training and Modification, Task Type Training Approach and Watsu. The originators of each of these unique technique worked together with the Aquatic Resources Network [3] to craft operational definitions to aid in communication within the industry.

When available, an interview was done with the creator of the technique (Ai Chi, Fluid Moves, Watsu). When the creator was deceased, an agent of the organization charged with managing the technique was interviewed (Halliwick). When the technique was developed over time by the contributions of many individuals, the interview was done with an aquatic physical or occupational therapist who has published work on the technique in either a professional journal or textbook (Bad Ragaz Ring Method, Swim Stroke Modification and Training, Task-Type Training Approach).

This Operational Definitions of Aquatic Specialty Techniques [4]is available online to help understand each technique's nuances.

[edit] References

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