GVMH OFFERS NEW AQUATIC THERAPY SERVICE

Golden Valley Memorial Hospital’s Rehab Unit “splashed into a new wave” of therapy in August, 2006,with the opening of the new Aquatic Therapy Pool. It is located in the indoor Clinton Aquatic Center. To date, GVMH’s Rehab staff has had 1,009 visits for aquatic therapy, and look forward to continued growth of this service.

The therapy pool is a custom built pool with depths from 3 ½ feet to 5 ½ feet. There are steps to enter the water as well as a hydraulic lift for those who are unable to use the steps. The pool allows for weightless rehabilitation as well as progressive weight bearing and conditioning exercises. The pool is equipped with parallel bars and water jets for resistive training. Aquatic therapy is provided in conjunction with land-based therapy.

Aquatic therapy provides many benefits to a patient. Water buoyancy helps to reduce pain associated with joint stress and weight bearing during recover from surgery or dysfunction. Hydrostatic pressure decreases swelling and increases circulation, assisting with the healing of surgical wounds and building muscle mass. Rehabilitation in the therapeutic pool can increase the strength of the truck and extremities, increase the range of motion, and improve functional mobility such as walking.

Therapy sessions are conducted on a one-on-one basis with a licensed therapist. The patient simply walks and/or exercises in the water. The water temperature is maintained at 90-92 degrees. A patient with an incision covered with bioclusive dressings can be in the water up to 30 minutes. Medicare and most insurance companies recognize aquatic therapy as an effective treatment modality.

If you have any questions about aquatic therapy, please call Golden Valley Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Services at 660-890-7190.

TOP: Rachel Boyles, MPT and Robyn Price, MPT of Golden Valley Memorial Hospital’s Rehab Unit, and Dr. Mark Snell of Golden Valley Medical –Clinton are using the bungee cord to demonstrate shoulders exercises in the Clinton Aquatic Therapy Pool.

LOWER LEFT: Dr. Mark Snell of Golden Valley Medical-Clinton and Robyn Price, MPT of Golden Valley Memorial Hospital’s Rehab Unit, are using a bungee cord to demonstrate back exercises in the Clinton Aquatic Therapy Pool.

LOWER RIGHT: Rachel Boyles, MPT and Robyn Price, MPT of Golden Valley Memorial Hospital’s Rehab Unit, and Dr. Mark Snell of Golden Valley Medical-Clinton are using dumbbells to exercise tricep muscles in the Clinton Aquatic Therapy Pool.

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