Jersey Central Physical Therapy and Fitness is pleased to offer aquatic physical therapy in our on-site warm water therapeutic pool. Our experienced staff provides personalized treatment to meet individual patient needs. Aquatic rehabilitation is physical therapy and requires a physician referral for health insurance reimbursement.

AQUA-FIT is a specifically Aquatic Rehabilitation Program designed and implemented for your patients by our experienced professionals. AQUA-FIT is fun, fast and works by targeting the patient’s cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems without the inherent problems many patients face with land based programs.

AQUA-FIT works by allowing our patients to progress through specific programs based on their capabilities to achieve their goals. Our patients are able to concentrate on rehabilitation program in a pain-free environment. Most importantly, our licensed professional’s oversee your patients throughout their program with us.

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Therapeutic Advantages of Water

Buoyancy- Upthurst action of water acting at right angles to the surface in the water
Viscosity- the resistance offered by a fluid to a change of its form



Thermal capacity and conductivity

Heat is absorbed more easily and moves more rapidly through warm water than in any other substance.




Clinical Consequences:

A.	Weight relief and unloading of painful joints allows quicker return of the affected area to pain-free movement much faster than on land:
	1.	Water up to the waist, 50% of the weight bearing is eliminated;
	2.	Water up to the neck, 90% of the body weight is eliminated;
	3.	Buoyant in deep water, no weight bearing at all.
B.	Controlled resistance:
	1.	Viscosity of water increases resistance to movement by 40 to 60 times.
	2.	Resistance is controlled by increasing or decreasing the speed of movement (more freedom with less pain).
C.	Hydrostatic pressure of the water around the deeply immersed limbs promotes edema reduction.
D.	Eliminates wasted time-when land activities begin; patient can begin working on functional activities faster.
E.	Warm water temperature:
	1.	Prepares connective tissue for stretching.
	2.	Promotes muscle relaxation, pain relief and increase in blood flow.

Indications for skilled aquatic therapy:

1.	Inability to participate in a land based exercise or functional mobility program.
2.	Weight-bearing restrictions limiting ambulation.
3.	Severe pain or weakness limiting ability to move.
4.	Postural and proximal instability limiting extremity exercise.
5.	Mobility restrictions unresponsive to conventional stretching.
6.	Inability to tolerate resisted exercise programs (in which distally applied weights pose risk to the patient with joint laxity, subluxation and deformity, osteoporosis and fragile skin).

Specialized programs for different goals:

1.	To increase and maintain Range of Motion.
2.	To strengthen the surrounding musculature of joints for better support.
3.	To improve balance and coordination.
4.	To improve functionality.

Examples of patients being treated in the aquatic programs are:

1.	Early post-surgery rehsbilitstion.
2.	Acute injuries.
3.	Sports injuries.
4.	Degenerative conditions such as arthritis and other rheumatologic variants.
5.	Various neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy.
6.	Cardiovascular Conditioning.
7.	Pre-natal and post-natal classes.
8.	Fall prevention programs specifically designed for the geriatric population.

The AQUA-FIT Program offers the following features:

1.	Extensive physical therapy examination to determine specific needs and goals.
2.	Personalized treatment planning.
3.	Individual exercise instruction.
4.	Careful monitoring and program progression to achieve desired goals.
5.	State of the art therapeutic pool with optimal water and air environment.
6.	Multi-levels to facilitate relaxation.
7.	Deep well for non weight bearing exercises.
8.	Therapeutic jets allowing-water massage and relaxation.
9.	Optimal Temperature range facilitates healing and relaxation.
10.	Advanced aquatic equipment.
11.	Home exercise instruction.
12.	Timely physician communication to report patient progress.
13.	Post discharge options to our Fitness Programe.
14.	A congenial, friendly environment which fosters enthusiasm and participation.
15.	Handicap chair lift for patients who are unable to navigate barriers such as stairs and uneven surfaces.

Orthopedic Rehabilitation

The water provides an excellent medium to conduct orthopedic rehabilitation. The unique properties of buoyancy, support, and accommodating resistance enhance exercise and create a safe environment for progressive rehabilitation. Access to strengthening equipment, scientifically designed for aquatic therapy is available. Our aquatic instructors can individually instruct in modified swimming strokes to compliment the strengthening or conditioning program. Range of motion, strengthening and progressive gait training can all be safely and effectively performed in the water.

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Spine Rehabilitation Program

An aquatic approach to the rehabilitation of acute, chronic and post surgical spinal dysfunction. This comprehensive program includes: