Pool Therapy Added to LRH's Comprehensive List of Rehabilitation Services
Lakes Regional Healthcare’s (LRH) growth in rehabilitation services has continued once again. Just on the heels of opening their new rehabilitation center, the staff now offers pool therapy.
Pool therapy, also known as water or aquatic therapy, is beneficial for a wide range of people, especially those with arthritis and joint pain, as well as after surgery or sustaining an injury. With pool therapy, physical therapy treatments done outside of a pool are offered in the water instead, often making it easier for the patient to do the therapy. According to LRH Physical Therapist Jason Munden, “The physical properties of water decreases weight and stress on joints as well as provide resistance which makes it easier for the patient to move. This allows patients to relax in the water, not have to fight gravity, and move more freely, enabling higher level activities and exercises earlier in the rehab process.” The therapist gets in the pool with them to assist them and continue to provide a hands-on approach.
The therapy is provided by LRH therapists at the Bedell Family YMCA. Most patients who receive pool therapy do so on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, when the Bedell Family YMCA pool is not quite as busy. Munden said, “We’ve appreciated working with the YMCA to be able to offer this expanded service for our patients and we strive to be considerate of their facilities and members. We’ve coordinated a schedule that typically works for our patients and their members.”
According to Munden, patients have enjoyed receiving therapy in this manner. He said, “We have a genuine desire to get people back to enjoying their life as they did before they had their injury or illness. Our group definitely does not have a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Providing pool therapy as another option demonstrates our approach. We’re all about being individualized, hands-on, and educational.”
Those interested in more information about pool therapy are encouraged to talk to their local family physician or call LRH’s Rehabilitation Services Department at 712-336-8651.
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