Video Cameras in Therapy Pools

Video technology has improved significantly over the past several years, and should be a key part of your planning for your aquatic therapy practice.  Like any other element in your practice, how you plan to use technology or a modality is just as important as having access to it.  It may be fun to have a video system, and it may be a great selling feature for prospective therapy patients, but the technology can set your hydrotherapy practice apart, if you plan for it.

Several therapy pool manufacturers offer camera systems as integrated components to their pools, or systems can be purchased as accessories that can be used in a variety of settings.  Typically, the feed from one or more video cameras can be viewed by both the patient and the clinician on a monitor (although some prefer the patient not see the feed), and the feed can also be recorded on a DVR or similar machine.  Some of the benefits include:

• An accurate perspective on patient movements, limitations, etc.
• Assists the patient to perform desired activities correctly
• Some systems offer tools that will measure patient capabilities and progression
• Patients may feel more accountable in their treatment when they know they are being monitored via video

Insurance companies may be more likely to reimburse aquatic therapy as they see indisputable clinical evidence of progression, which can help an aquatic video system pay for itself in no time at all.

It is much easier to integrate a great video system while your hydrotherapy pool is being specified and built, but it is not impossible to add the feature at a later date.  Vision Aquatics therapy pools integrate multiple cameras right into the pool, and offer a variety of systems for the clinician.  For the finest aquatic therapy pools on the market please visit www.visionaquatics.com.  For more information and pricing, you may contact Doug Gregory either at doug@visionaquatics.com or at 616.957.4819.

Hydrotherapy Pool Changing Rooms

Little things can make a big difference when designing space to support hydrotherapy in a physical therapy clinic.  The patient changing room – be it ever so humble – is one of those little things to which more attention should often be paid.

Many of the floor plans reviewed for installations feature one, or more often two, changing areas for patients who will use a therapy pool.  It takes a little time to change clothes (especially during the winter months) to prepare for aquatic therapy.  It takes even more time to change back, especially since most people will want to take a rinse shower.  Lack of space to accommodate this seemingly innocuous activity can become a bottleneck for optimizing billable hours for hydrotherapy – knocking down potential profits.

Some hydrotherapy pools are only built to support one, or perhaps two, patients simultaneously. If patients are staggered, then one or two changing rooms might be able to accommodate most situations.  When a therapy pool is designed to support multiple patients, then this architectural afterthought can limit your productivity and profits.

Check with your scheduler and your PT’s on what would work well for your situation.  While the cost of constructing additional changing areas will vary from area to area, the lost profits from not paying attention to this bottleneck can hold your clinic back for a very long time.  The money “saved” could well cost you for years.

Which brings us to an interesting perspective: When viewed as a business, hydrotherapy has almost nothing to do with the cost of the pool.  It has everything to do with the generation of additional revenue, patient and referring physician good will, clinical results, employee retention, and increasing profitability.

Little things can make a big difference.  How you design your facility and which therapy pool you purchase may well determine the clinical and financial reach and success of your clinic.  For the finest aquatic therapy pools on the market please visit www.visionaquatics.com.  For more information and pricing, you may contact Doug Gregory either at doug@visionaquatics.com or at 616.957.4819.

Deep Water Running

Deep water running in warm water hydrotherapy pools has become a common story in the media as we hear about athletes recovering from injuries.  Combining the benefits of warm water with the always-beneficial attributes of running and walking, deep water running is effective for both high-performance athletes and beginners alike.

Deep water running normally requires a combination of deep water (naturally) that is at least 5’ deep, a tether, and a flotation belt.  For optimal results, a 6’ deep well supports full off-loading, and laminar water flow at variable controlled rates creates the best results.  Variable flow rates allow for progression, one of the key factors in water running and exercise.

David K. Brennan, M.Ed from the University of Oklahoma – Tulsa is a recognized expert and early developer of deep water running.  His articles and perspectives found through a simple internet search will assist any clinician or fitness trainer in developing a strong water exercise program incorporating deep water running.

While some advocate the use of underwater treadmills to support deep water running, these typically have an unnatural gait associated with them, take up valuable hydrotherapy pool floor space, and are unnecessary when a proper propulsion system is available.  Treadmills are discussed at greater length in other blogs.

Deep water running offers the runner all of the benefits of warm water (enumerated elsewhere) while conditioning, rehabbing, or training.  For any of these activities, deep water running eliminates the pounding and stress of working out on land, it allows activities to begin sooner than on land, and progression is easily measured.

Deep water running is most effective in a deep well, against laminar propulsion, and under the guidance of a trained instructor.  For deep water running belts, visit www.aquajogger.com.  For the finest aquatic therapy pools on the market please visit www.visionaquatics.com.  For more information and pricing, you may contact Doug Gregory either at doug@visionaquatics.com or at 616.957.4819.

Salt Water vs. Fresh Water Therapy Pools

Saltwater pools have been commonplace in Australia for decades, gaining widespread acceptance in the US in the past 15 years.  Market competition and advances in technology have made these systems more efficient, self-cleaning, and less expensive, supported by water quality monitoring options.

Putting salt in an aquatic therapy and aquatic sports fitness pools is an alternative method of sanitation by converting the salt (NACL) into chlorine without the use of the typical commercial liquid or dry chlorines.  Most common saltwater chlorine generators use 3000-3500 parts per million of salt to water.  Teardrops are about 9000 parts per million, explaining why you can safely open your eyes under water with no irritation.

For aquatic therapy and aquatic sports fitness, saltwater pools add another healthy dimension to the healing properties of warm water.  Salt water has a silky feel, and will not dry out your skin like commercial chlorines.  Saltwater-generated chlorine will not ruin swimwear, bleach your hair, leave a white chlorine residue on your skin, and won’t sting your eyes or turn them red.

Another advantage to salt water chlorinators is air quality.  We have all walked into an indoor poolroom and been assaulted by the overwhelming smell of chlorine.  This smell is created by the off-gassing of chloramines produced by the reaction of chlorine and organic material in the pool water.  This gas is not only toxic, but long-term exposure to chloramines in high concentration can be deadly.  Salt water-generated chlorine eliminates the potential for production of chloramines and unhealthy air quality.

Maintaining saltwater pools includes some of the same procedures fresh water pools.  It is important to maintain water chemistry balance such as PH, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium hardness, and conditioner levels.  There is no more cost of or storage of caustic chlorine chemicals.  Salt can be corrosive on certain metal components, stone products and concrete surfaces with continued exposure, which must be sealed or protected.

Saltwater chlorine generators provide aquatic therapy and aquatic sports fitness operators, clinicians and patients with a healthy alternative to the typical commercial chlorine sanitized fresh water pool.  To experience the healthy alternative of great water and air quality for your facility or aquatic center combined with the finest aquatic therapy pools on the market please visit www.visionaquatics.com.  For more information and pricing, you may contact Doug Gregory either at doug@visionaquatics.com or at 616.957.4819.

Construction for Hydrotherapy Pools

Let’s face it – most physical therapists are not construction engineers, material experts, or maintenance managers.  Once you have made the decision to add a hydrotherapy pool to your list of modalities, how do you determine which type of pool to purchase?

There are four major type of construction for hydrotherapy pools: built in place (also known as a Gunite pool); molded fiberglass; vinyl liner; and pre-built tile.  While there is no perfect solution to construction type, it is helpful to understand the pro’s and con’s of each type prior to making a decision.  Whichever you choose, you will be living with the decision on a daily basis.

Gunite pools can be built after a building is framed in, and the surface has a reasonable life expectancy.  Workstation design is typically limited, and propulsion systems are also limited.  While basic hydrotherapy can be practiced in a Gunite pool (often at a hotel or a fitness center), the lack of propulsion and workstations limits the impact of this investment.

One might say that the development of contemporary aquatic therapy was ushered in through the development of the fiberglass pool.  Using this technology, the pool is shaped to include a range of integrated workstations, steps, and propulsion.  Aquatic treadmills have recently been added to many of these pools, giving them more capability.  Drawbacks include the need for periodic resurfacing, limited floor space and patient capacity, and a non-clinical appearance.

Vinyl liner hydrotherapy pools are built using a framework of steel sheets over which is placed sheets of vinyl.  Very popular recently, these pools can be installed in buildings where access is limited, they can be very cost-effective, and they come in a wide range of sizes.  Drawbacks include many health agencies will not approve them, the liners sage and need periodic replacement, and the design precludes both workstations and true propulsion.

Pre-built tile hydrotherapy pools are a unibody construction finished with tile that can be built in any form and shape.  Properly built with the right materials, a pre-built tile therapy pool will last more than twenty (20) years, they typically have significant flat bottom floor space, and easily incorporate various workstations, deep wells, and propulsion systems.  Drawbacks include an opening required to set the pool into place.

There is a choice in therapy pools that you will live with for many years.  Inform yourself by talking to a wide range of manufacturers.  You are invited to visit www.visionaquatics.com.  For more information and pricing, you may contact Doug Gregory either at doug@visionaquatics.com or at 616.957.4819.