Aquatic Therapy

Question 1

What are the 3 Aquatic Principles?

Answer 1

1) Buoyancy
2) Hydrostatic Pressure
3) Resistance

Question 2

What is buoyancy?

Answer 2

The upward thrust acting in the opposite direction to the force of gravity that allows a reduction in joint compression forces by being weightless

Question 3

“A body immersed in a liquid, either wholly or partially, is buoyed up by a force equal to the _____ __ __ ____displaced by the body.”

Answer 3

weight of the liquid

Question 4

4 benefits of the Buoyancy Principle

Answer 4

• Decreases weight bearing
• Decreases joint compression forces
• Decreases stress on connective tissues
• Decreases fear of falling

Question 5

What is hydrostatic pressure?

Answer 5

The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity

Question 6

4 benefits of the Hydrostatic Principle

Answer 6

• Reduce Edema
• Improves circulation
• Evens tactile input
• Improves muscles of inspiration which assists with expiration

Question 7

The faster you go the more resistance there is due to what?

Answer 7

The drag force

Question 8

4 Benefits of resistance

Answer 8

• Improved tone
• Improved endurance
• Improved muscle balance
• Increased time to react- if notice “falling”

Question 9

What is the ideal water temperature, air temperature, and humidity?

Answer 9

92 degrees
2-3 degrees warmer than the water
50%

Question 10

7 Populations that benefit from “ideal” temperature

Answer 10

• Prenatal
• Obese
• MS
• Cardiac
• OA
• Fibromyalgia
• Pain

Question 11

4 Physiological Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

Answer 11

1) Circulatory System
2) Pulmonary System
3) Musculoskeletal
4) Renal

Question 12

How does aquatic therapy benefit the circulatory system?

Answer 12

Blood is displaced upward to the chest and into the heart (due to buoyancy) which increases blood flow

Question 13

Central Blood Volume can improve by __%

Answer 13

60

Question 14

Heart rate in water is __% lower than on land

Answer 14

15

Question 15

How does aquatic therapy benefit the pulmonary system?

Answer 15

Vital capacity increases 10%
The total work of breathing increases 60%
Expiratory reserve volumes decrease 75%

Question 16

How does aquatic therapy benefit the musculoskeletal system?

Answer 16

• Mobilizes extracellular fluid (due to buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure)
• Reduces swelling more rapidly then bed rest
• Muscles have increased blood supply
• Improved muscle relaxation
• Decreased joint compression

Question 17

How does aquatic therapy benefit the renal system?

Answer 17

• Increased urine output
• Increased sodium loss
• Renal response increases with further immersion

Question 18

What are the contraindications to water therapy?

Answer 18

Any infection

Question 19

Describe Ai Chi aquatic therapy

Answer 19

Slow, flowing movements and deep breathing that decrease pain, increase balance, blood flow, and flexibility

Question 20

During the Ai Chi technique how high must the water be?

Answer 20

Shoulder level

Bend knees if need be

Question 21

How do you perform the Ai Chi pattern

Answer 21

Inhale through nose and turn palms up

Exhale through mouth and turn palms down

Question 22

Describe BackHab aquatic therapy

Answer 22

It is a walking program that a client can do on their own in which they use a variety of stride lengths both forwards and backwards for 2-4 minutes

Question 23

What are the benefits of BackHab?

Answer 23

• Independence
• Mobility
• Core Strength

Question 24

Describe Bad Ragaz pool therapy

Answer 24

Used for muscle re-education for patients who need to decrease tone such as CVA.

Use the fundamentals Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

Question 25

Describe the Burdenko Method

Answer 25

Land and water based therapy program in which the patient starts in the water working on balance and postural awareness in different planes in order to increase their overall health and wellness

Question 26

What is the basic concept behind the Feldenkrais method

Answer 26

Patient performs small gravity-free movements rather than go on complete bed rest

Question 27

Describe the Hallwick method

Answer 27

Type of therapy process that uses games for a variety of educational and therapeutic reasons in order to promote total independent movement in the water

Question 28

Describe the Watsu method

Answer 28

Type of program in which the therapist cradles the patient in a free flowing nature to promote self-awareness of muscle tension which will promote relaxation and increase ROM

Question 29

How can arthritis patients benefit from pool therapy?

Answer 29

They must completely submerge the joint in warmer water and warm-up to full ROM

Question 30

What is an important thing to consider with cerebal palsy patients?

Answer 30

Stay in the middle of the pool due to involuntary movements

Question 31

What muscle should you strengthen which CVA patients and why?

Answer 31

The anterior fibula to help with heel/toe gait

Question 32

How do diabetes patients benefit from pool therapy?

Answer 32

Increases circulation in the feet

Question 33

What types of methods should fibromyalgia patients use?

Answer 33

Ai Chi and Pilates so they can focus on breathing and relaxing

Question 34

What is the most important thing to consider with MS patients?

Answer 34

Water temperature | It is an inactive program if the water is too warm