Propulsion in Aquatic Therapy

Basic aquatic therapy can occur in a wide variety of aquatic environments, from the local Y to a swimming pool to a custom therapy pool with built-in workstations. The benefits of aquatic therapy in these environments are well-documented and widely-supported. What is not so well understood by the physical therapy community and referring physicians are the benefits of propulsion in aquatic therapy pools.

Propulsion adds to the range of benefits that can be offered in this important modality. Two key benefits for the clinician are progression and challenge. Controlled water propulsion normally offers the clinician the ability to predetermine and set the level of resistance created by the propulsion system to the abilities of the patient, gradually increasing the resistance as the patient gains in their treatment. Like adding weights to a progressing patient on land, adding resistance through propulsion in water is an important tool in progressing patients in water.

Propulsion in aquatic therapy pools can also be designed to challenge patients through addressing the various planes and attitudes through which a patient can improve their balance, their strength, and their endurance.

Additionally, propulsion in aquatic therapy pools replaces the need for aquatic treadmills by supporting the physical therapist in gait work and exercise. While a recent study at a major university has been trumpeted to validate the use of aquatic treadmills, the study did not test treadmills against propulsion systems, and there was no control group. Other industry experts believe that aquatic treadmills do not support natural motion, and that supporting patient needs utilizing propulsion and at times deep water gait training is more effective. Treadmills also take up significant floor space in aquatic therapy pools, space that cannot then be used for other protocols.

Propulsion takes many forms in aquatic therapy pools currently being marketed into the physical therapy industry. Badu jets are commonly used in some popular aquatic therapy pools, but the basically blow aerated water in a general direction, are difficult to target to the area of need, and their range of effective application is limited.

Forms of paddlewheel propulsion are also commonly used. These systems normally provide propulsion over the broad width of the pool, subjecting everyone in the aquatic therapy pool to its forces, whether they need it or not. While often described as providing laminar flow, the uneven nature of this delivery system combined with agitated wave action and aeration do not equate with use of the term “laminar flow” from an engineering perspective.

The TheraStream™ range of propulsion systems applied exclusively in Vision Aquatics pools provide truly laminar flow propulsion that is easily controlled, cleanly targeted, and instantly reaching targeted propulsion levels. These state of the art aquatic therapy pools can be viewed at www.visionaquatics.com. Or for more information, you may contact Doug Gregory either at doug@visionaquatics.com or at 616.957.4819.