PHYSIOTHERAPY IN WATER
Discipline
Physiotherapy in water is defined by the Aquatic Therapy Association made up of UK Chartered Physiotherapists, as one as a therapeutic intervention in which the physical and chemical (mechanical) properties of water are used, with therapeutic intent, designed by physiotherapists specifically qualified, with the aim of improving and rehabilitating the function, and which is carried out in a pool with specific characteristics.
What does a physiotherapist in the water?
In this program, the Halliwick concept and Watsu therapy are carried out in an adapted way. In addition to other conventional physiotherapy techniques; either directly or in a modified way; such as the Kabat method, the Bobath concept, mobilizations and stretching, or proprioceptive work, among others.
Therefore, specific treatment techniques are used with maintenance, improvement or adaptation objectives, which are more optimal in the aquatic environment.
Main goal
To get better physical condition, enhancing mobility, balance and coordination; reducing pathological postural and movement patterns.
Benefits
The benefits that can be obtained with physiotherapy in the water are focused on improving you at a psychological and physiological level.
The psychological effects can be understood as an improvement in self-esteem and self-confidence, posing new challenges within a playful environment; due to a different therapeutic routine; added to the feeling of weightlessness and ease of movement. What generates an increase in motor learning and a feeling of improvement at the level of physiological effects.
The physiological effects are evident in the following systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular.
Transdisciplinary Methodology
The transdisciplinary methodology applied in our Program is based on three key points: a joint assessment from the areas of: physiotherapy, therapeutic pedagogy, speech therapy and occupational therapy, a planning of common objectives from the 4 disciplines, being specific for each child and an elaboration of common sessions, starting from the bases of each profession and looking for a global approach of the students.
Likewise, in this methodology there is feedback / coordination that includes families, teachers, the water therapy unit (UTA) and the rest of the Poseidon Team professionals (assistants).
Conclusions
The general conclusions of the work carried out in the Poseidon Program and that can be obtained from all the aforementioned are the following:
- Transdisciplinary intervention in the aquatic environment enriches other therapies
- Alternative medium to conventional learning
- Water: facilitating and motivating medium
- Improvement the deficit components