Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Services
A fun and engaging type of therapy
Aquatic therapy is a fun and engaging type of therapy that uses the properties of water to achieve therapeutic gains that may be too difficult for a child to attain through land based therapy. Therapeutic gains of aquatic therapy include but are not limited to normalization of muscle tone, improvements in strength, balance, range of motion, cardiovascular endurance and circulation. Aquatic therapy can also be beneficial for self-regulation and sensory processing.
Who can benefit from aquatic therapy?
A number of different patient populations can benefit from aquatic therapy. Some of the commonly treated populations at Cheshire Fitness Zone include:
- neurological impairments
- orthopedic injuries
- neuromuscular disorders
- cardiopulmonary disorders
- chronic pain
- sensory processing disorders
How can aquatic therapy help my child?
Buoyancy can be defined as the upward force exerted by water. This assists in decreasing the amount of weight bearing through joints when submerged in the water. As a result, buoyancy is helps to improve balance and core stability by limiting the fear of falling while still encouraging the individual to work against the force of the water to maintain an upright position. Buoyancy can also be helpful to assist with floatation activities that are used for relaxation in order to decrease muscle tone and improve joint range of motion.
Viscosity is described as the way that water molecules stick together as one tries to move through them. This creates a natural resistance of the water, which helps to strengthen muscles of the core and limbs. Increased resistance also helps to improve cardiovascular endurance by increasing the physical demands on the body as it moves through the water. Speed of movements in the water can be graded in order to achieve the desired result; as speed of movement increases, the resistance provided by water also increases and consequently, as the speed of movement decreases, the resistance provided by water decreases.
Hydrostatic pressure is defined as the force exerted by the water on a submerged body. This property of water helps to “squeeze” the individual in the water and as a result, allows that individual to tune out outside stimuli and feel more secure. This is particularly beneficial for children with sensory processing disorders or vestibular issues. Hydrostatic pressure is also helpful with improving circulation as it provides an external force on the body as the individual moves through the water.
The warmer water temperature in the aquatic therapy environment is beneficial for relaxation of muscle tone and limiting involuntary or spastic movements that may otherwise impede therapeutic gains in a land based setting. Warmer water temperature also helps to improve circulation through blood vessel dilation.
Take Our Developmental Milestone Quiz!
As parents, we all want to ensure that our children are meeting crucial developmental milestones. Use this tool to see if your child is on the right track.
What Clients Are Saying
My son has greatly benefited from OT and PT at Cheshire Fitness Zone. The therapists are so patient and knowledgeable. The facility is also very impressive and fun. We look forward to seeing our son progress as we continue therapy.
Cheshire Fitness Zone has tremendously helped not only our two children receiving services, but our entire family. The atmosphere in the clinic is friendly, supportive, and understanding. Their office staff is amazing and accommodates each family’s schedule and needs. Our children receive speech, OT, and PT services. Every one of the therapists they have worked with has been wonderful and our children have made incredible progress. The kids also love going to all of their therapy sessions because the therapists make each and every session fun and exciting. We are so fortunate to have found Cheshire Fitness Zone and recommend it to any family looking for services for their children.
A five star rating would not be enough for Cheshire Fitness Zone! From the first time I called to schedule my son’s consult to now one year later, we are consistently greeted by the most caring and loving staff. My son goes to Cheshire Fitness Zone for oral motor/speech therapy and sees Miss Kim. When I say she is the best, she truly is! From day one she has put her heart and soul into my child’s therapy. The strides my son has made in one year is amazing. Not only is Kim the nicest person ever, she is extremely knowledgeable in her field and is constantly thinking of new ways to improve my son’s speech.
We can’t thank you enough. I don’t think we would be where we are if it wasn’t for your care, guidance, and support for Cole and us.
I love working at Cheshire Fitness Zone because the therapy team is always willing to collaborate and share different treatment strategies and therapy techniques. You are never at a loss for ideas!
My girls have been going to Cheshire Fitness Zone since the summer of 2015 and the therapy they receive from their therapist is the best therapy they have ever received. The therapists are the friendliest and nicest group of therapists we have ever met. The girls enjoy going to therapy and I am very happy that we go to Cheshire Fitness Zone.
Highly recommend. The warm, loving atmosphere sets the tone for these highly motivated therapists to do their thing. The office staff is top notch as well!!
We have been coming to Cheshire Fitness Zone for fifteen years. Our son has a motor dyspraxia which causes challenges with posture, upper body strength, and affects his fine motor skills too. After coming consistently every week for 1-2 visits he has surpassed many of his physical challenges. Now as a young man he takes physical challenges like 5k’s and bike challenges with a smile. We are grateful to the many physical therapists he has had over the years. Each of them has encouraged him and pushed him to improve in a gentle, but firm way, and always with a sense of humor. Our son looks forward to coming every week.
Thank you for teaching me everything I know about OT and sensory diets. You go above and beyond for our students and we really appreciate all that you have given us.
I am so happy we came to Cheshire Fitness Zone. My daughter injured her hip figure skating. Another physical therapist diagnosed and treated her incorrectly. Luckily when we came to Cheshire Fitness Zone and saw Craig he discovered her injury was something else and much more of a serious injury. In fact, we were referred to a Pedi orthopedist who concluded with Craig’s diagnosis. The orthopedist said it was a good find, very difficult to catch, and often missed. My daughter had surgery and is now recovering and seeing Craig for rehab. She is almost done and doing well. Highly recommended Cheshire Fitness Zone.