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Man receiving physical therapy on his legRehabilitation Services - Aquatic Rehabilitation

Aquatic Rehabilitation is an effective treatment technique that results in comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning for a wide variety of patients and conditions.

Immersed in chest-high water, patients bear only about 20% of their body weight on their legs. The buoyancy of the water supports the remaining 80%. The buoyancy helps relax muscle, decreased stress on joints, and can make the exercises easier and more effective. These benefits can promote a more rapid recovery following surgery or injury.

Aquatic Therapy is available through Valley West Rehabilitation Services at the Fox Valley Family YMCA in Plano. Aquatic therapy is ideal for patients with:

  • Arthritis
  • Cardiac Diseases
  • Circulatory Problems
  • Hip replacement
  • Knee replacement
  • Ankle/leg fractures
  • Sports injuries
  • Back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Respiratory Diseases
  • Rotator cuff injuries


The aquatic environment helps patients achieve the following goals:

  • Develop pain management strategies for patients who have been unsuccessful with land-based exercise.
  • Develop strengthening, range-of-motion and balance improvement programs for those who cannot tolerate land-based exercise due to weakness, pain or neurological impairments.
  • Develop functional mobility programs.
  • Progress strengthening programs form the water to the land.
  • Education and instruction in customized exercise programs for those experiencing cognitive and/or physical challenges.
  • Increase the speed of recovery for sports-related injuries.

Valley West Rehabilitation Services offers dynamic and growing aquatic physical therapy programs. The program, located at the Fox Valley Family YMCA in Plano, provides a unique opportunity for patients to receive aquatic rehabilitation along with more traditional exercise and strengthening or modalities prescribed for their specific circumstances. The Valley West Rehab staff is committed to quality service, offering the most modern evaluations and treatment planning.

How does aquatic therapy help?

  • Water can be the best environment to pursue full function
  • Patients start therapy earlier and recover more quickly

Water can be effectively utilized in the progressions of:

  • Strengthening
  • Weight bearing
  • Functional land activities
  • Conditioning and endurance
  • Sport specific activities
  • Range of motion
  • Gait/ambulation
  • Balance

A physician’s order is required to schedule rehabilitation services. For more information about aquatic therapy, other rehabilitation services, or to schedule an appointment, please call 815.786.8550.