Jersey Central

Jersey Central Physical Therapy and Fitness is under the direction of a Board Certified Aquatic Physical Therapist (ATRIC). Our program is fun, fast, and works by targeting the patient's condition without inherent problems face with land based programs. 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 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.

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.
  

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How it Aqua Therapy Works:

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.
   

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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 rehabilitstion.
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. 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. Multi-levels to facilitate relaxation.
6. Therapeutic jets allowing-water massage and relaxation.
7. Optimal Temperature range facilitates healing and relaxation.
8. Handicap chair lift or ladder.
9. Timely physician communication to report patient progress.
10. A congenial, friendly environment.
11. Post discharge options to our Fitness Program.
    

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Some of the Specific Programs we offer:

1. Orthopedic Rehabilitation
2. Spine Rehabilitation
3. Chronic Pain Syndrome

Post Discharge Options

Jersey Central Physical Therapy and Fitness recognizes the importance of our patients to continue with an independent exercise program to achieve optimal recovery. Our aquatic fitness programs are progressed to land based exercise with convenient hours for supervision in exercise, fitness and strengthening. Our licensed and certified professionals assure safe and effective exercise