St. Dominic Hospital

Splish Splash At St. Dominic's, aquatic therapy is offered year-round in an indoor, temperature- controlled aquatic center located inside St. Dominic's Outpatient Rehabilitation. The therapy pool water temperature is set between 92 and 94 degrees, with both a shallow end (4-foot depth) and a deep end (8-foot depth). The pool has both ramp and stair access with private changing areas available along with lockers for patient use. COME ON IN, IF INJURY, ILLNESS OR DISABILITY MAKE MOVING DIFFICULT, YOU JUST MIGHT WANT TO TAKE TO THE WATER. THE WATER'S Fine People sometimes get stuck in a cycle of pain and emotional and physical stress because they cannot move their bodies as they would like. Aquatic therapy can help break this chronic pain cycle by allowing people who have difficulty moving on land the opportunity to exercise safely in the water. Someone who can't easily walk on land can walk and even run, jump or kick when in the water. "Doing therapy in the water is a great way to work on muscular strength, joint mobility, muscular flexibility, balance, gait and normalization of movement patterns," said Ryan Babl, Senior Physical Therapist at St. Dominic's Outpatient Rehabilitation. "The water is a safe environment with a reduced risk of injury and increased comfort. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety and increase one's feeling of well-being and confidence." Aquatic therapy is ideal for people who suffer from arthritis or joint pain, chronic pain and fatigue, balance impairments, edema and have limited ability to bear weight. It is also ideal for patients who need rehabilitation to return to a competitive sport. WATER WORKS Patients who have difficulty with traditional land therapy often show improvement with aquatic therapy. "Being in the water allows the therapist 360-degree access to the patient with handling positions and can assist in pain reduction, improved range of motion and muscle strengthening," Babl said. "It is easier on the patient and the therapist." All members of the outpatient therapy team—including physical therapists, occupational therapists and hand specialists—use aquatic therapy when appropriate for patient care. A therapist in the water with the patient provides one-on-one treatment that usually lasts between 45 and 60 minutes. To find out if aquatic therapy may be right for you, first speak to your physician and then call St. Dominic's Outpatient Rehabilitation at (601) 200-4920 to schedule an evaluation with a therapist. 5 s t d o m . c o m LIVE

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