Ten Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

BY: Amy Serafin

 

FUN IN THE POOL FOR PATIENTS

Aquatic therapy, also known as hydrotherapy or aquatic rehabilitation, is a form of physical therapy that takes place in a pool or other water-based environment. It offers numerous benefits for children with disabilities, promoting physical, cognitive, and social development. Here are some of the key benefits of aquatic therapy for children with disabilities:

  1. Buoyancy and reduced weight-bearing: Water provides buoyancy, which reduces the effects of gravity on the body. This allows children with disabilities to move more easily, experiencing reduced weight-bearing and less strain on their joints. The water’s buoyancy also helps improve balance and stability.
  2. Increased range of motion: Water’s natural resistance provides gentle pressure against the body, which can help improve muscle strength and flexibility. The buoyancy of water allows children to move their limbs through a wider range of motion, promoting joint mobility.
  3. Improved muscle strength and endurance: Aquatic therapy offers an environment where children can engage in various exercises and activities that target muscle strengthening. Water resistance increases the challenge for muscles, leading to improved strength and endurance over time.
  4. Enhanced cardiovascular fitness: Engaging in water-based exercises helps promote cardiovascular fitness. The resistance of water provides a gentle yet effective workout for the heart and lungs, improving overall cardiovascular health.
  5. Sensory stimulation: Water provides a unique sensory experience with its temperature, texture, and hydrostatic pressure. Aquatic therapy can stimulate the sensory systems of children with disabilities, enhancing their proprioception, tactile awareness, and overall sensory integration.
  6. Pain management: Warm water used in aquatic therapy can help relieve pain and muscle spasms, providing a soothing effect on the body. The hydrostatic pressure of the water can also reduce swelling and inflammation, providing pain relief for children with disabilities.
  7. Balance and coordination improvement: Water’s buoyancy and resistance challenge the body’s balance and coordination systems. By participating in aquatic therapy, children can enhance their balance, coordination, and overall body awareness.
  8. Increased confidence and self-esteem: Aquatic therapy can be a fun and enjoyable experience for children with disabilities. Achieving new physical milestones and experiencing success in the water can boost their confidence and self-esteem, transferring to other aspects of their lives.
  9. Social interaction and peer support: Participating in aquatic therapy often involves group sessions, providing opportunities for children with disabilities to interact with their peers. This social aspect promotes communication, cooperation, and the development of social skills.
  10. Relaxation and stress reduction: Water has a calming effect on the body and mind. Aquatic therapy can help children with disabilities relax, reduce anxiety, and manage stress levels.

Aquatic therapy at Children’s Clinics integrates the unique knowledge, skills, and training of a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech and language pathologist to provide rehabilitative services in a pool that are individual to each patient. It’s important to note that the specific benefits of aquatic therapy may vary depending on the individual needs and disabilities of each child. Consulting with one of our physical therapist can help determine if the aquatic therapy program is suitable for a specific patient.

 

Care 4 Caregivers Workshop

Children’s Clinics is partnering with Care 4 Caregivers to provide caregiver workshops to families of the clinic. The goal of these workshops is to offer a safe space to share your journey, learn strategies for self-care, and build a community for caregivers. Registration is required, the link is below.

Our next workshop will be a virtual event on Friday, December 8, 2023, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Workshop dates:

Friday, December 8, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Virtual ONLY)

For more information about this program, please check out the Care 4 the Caregivers website here!

Care 4 Caregivers Workshop

Participant's Name(Required)
Please indicate name of parent, guardian, and/or caregiver who will be participating in this workshop.
Patient's Name(Required)
What is the best way to contact you?(Required)
Please be sure to indicate your preferred method of contact in the fields below.
Address(Required)
Consent - Absence of Childcare(Required)

Teen & Young Adult Group

Children’s Clinics offers a fun and free Teen & Young Adult Group for ages 13 years and up. We invite you to join us on the 4th Thursday of the month from 4:00-5:30 pm as we enjoy a meal, connect with others, and participate in fun and inclusive activities. The group strives to discuss topics important to you, empower all abilities, foster independence, and make an impact on our community.  

Teen & Young Adult Group Registration

  • Please identify an individual other than yourself that we can contact in case of an emergency.
    I authorize my child to participate in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences Programs. I acknowledge the risks inherent in the participation by my child. In my absence, I further authorize the staff representing Children’s Clinics to act for me according to their best judgment in any emergency requiring medical attention for my child and I hereby waive and release those staffers, and volunteers of Children’s Clinics from all liability for any injuries or illnesses, that may be incurred while participating in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences, while in attendance, except for injury directly resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct.
    I consent to the photographing/video recording/ audio recording of the above-named patients by Children's Clinics staff at this event. I agree the resulting images or recordings may be used for Children's Clinics publicity or marketing purposes (brochure, pamphlet, lobby display, social media posts, printed material, etc.). I understand that I have the right to reverse this consent, in writing, at any time before the image or recording is used for the purposes indicated above.

 

Back-to-School Fair

Image of a young girl playing in bubbles at the back to school fair

Come join our Back-to-School Fair and start the school year off right!

Our incredible sponsor, Mercy Care will be giving away backpacks full of school supplies for the upcoming school year. Supercuts’ talented hair stylists will be on hand to give free haircuts to our kids. Plus, we will have a “stuffy” wellness clinic to assure the health of your child’s stuffy, and Mr. Nature will be performing all his fun songs. You don’t want to miss this event! *This event is for Children’s Clinics patients and their families.

Registration is open CLOSED! A wait list for school supplies after the event is below. 

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors

 

Adaptive Tennis 

Adaptive Tennis Registration is NOW FULL. Please register below if you would like to be put on the WAIT LIST. 

Adaptive Tennis Program on Wednesdays- September 20 – Nov 1 2023

All Abilities Welcome!!!

Location:  Tucson Racquet Club I 4001 N Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716

Times: Group1 – 5:00pm – 6:00pm  and Group 2 – 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Groups are based on both age AND ability. Our Childhood Experiences Team will be contacting you regarding what group your participant will be in.

For questions, please caitlyn.conlin@childrensclinics.org or 520-324-7053

Must Register Below!

Adaptive Tennis Fall 2023

  • (English, Español, etc)
  • Please identify an individual other than yourself that we can contact in case of an emergency. / Por favor identifique a un individuo aparte de usted mismo que podamos contactar en caso de emergencia
    Please check all that apply / Por favor marque todas las que apliquen
    Please check all that apply / Por favor marque todas las que apliquen
    I understand that I must remain and be present at Tucson Racquet Club for the duration of the program while my child participates in Tennis. / Entiendo que debo permanecer presente en el Club de Raqueta de Tucson durante la duración del programa mientras mi hijo participa en Tenis
    I authorize my child to participate in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences Programs. I acknowledge the risks inherent in the participation by my child. In my absence, I further authorize the staff representing Children’s Clinics to act for me according to their best judgment in any emergency requiring medical attention for my child and I hereby waive and release those staffers, and volunteers of Children’s Clinics from all liability for any injuries or illnesses, that may be incurred while participating in Children’s Clinics Childhood Experiences, while in attendance, except for injury directly resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct. /Autorizo que mi hijo participe en los Programas de Experiencias Infantiles de la Clínica de los Niños. Reconozco los riesgos adjuntos a la participación de mi hijo. En mi ausencia, autorizo al personal representante de la Clínica de los Niños a actuar por mi acorde a su mejor juicio en cualquier emergencia que requiera atención médica para mi hijo y por el presente exento y libero a esos empleados y voluntarios de la Clínica de los Niños de toda responsabilidad de cualquier lesiones o enfermedades que pudieran adquirir mientras participan en Experiencias Infantiles de la Clínica de los Niños, mientras atienda, excepto por lesiones resultantes directamente de negligencia grave o mala conducta intencional.
    I consent to the photographing/video recording/ audio recording of the above-named patients by Children's Clinics staff at this event. I agree the resulting images or recordings may be used for Children's Clinics publicity or marketing purposes (brochure, pamphlet, lobby display, social media posts, printed material, etc.). I understand that I have the right to reverse this consent, in writing, at any time before the image or recording is used for the purposes indicated above. / Yo consiento la toma de fotografías/grabación de video/grabación de audio de los participantes mencionado anteriormente por el personal de la Clínica de los Niños en este evento. Estoy de acuerdo con que las imagines o grabaciones resultantes sean usadas para los propósitos de publicidad o marketing (folleto, panfleto, exposición en el vestíbulo, publicaciones de redes sociales, materiales impresos, etc.). Entiendo que tengo el derecho de revertir este consentimiento, en escrito, en cualquier antes de que la imagen o grabación sean usados para los propósitos indicados anteriormente.
    You will be contacted by our team if a spot opens up for your child.

Theatre & Improvisation Group

In collaboration with Live Theatre Workshop, this seven-week program engages the Children’s Clinics community in various theatre games. 

The goal is to support participants in exploring their imagination, creativity, and improvisation skills to build confidence and community – all in the spirit of joy and fun!

Every Saturday starting March 18-May 6

Ages 7-12: 1:30-2:30 pm 

Ages 13+: 2:45-3:45 pm

Registration is now open on Live Theatre Workshop’s website. Click HERE to register! 

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