Aquatic Therapy

Collaborative Rehabilitation Services

We understand that every recovery journey is personal—and sometimes, taking the first step can feel overwhelming. At Emory Healthcare, our aquatic therapy program offers a gentle, supportive path toward healing.

The water’s natural buoyancy eases pressure on your joints, making movement feel easier and safer. Whether you're recovering from an injury, surgery, or managing pain, our caring therapists will guide you through every stage, helping you regain strength, confidence and independence at your own pace.

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What is Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic therapy is also called hydrotherapy. It involves doing physical therapy exercises in a heated pool. Water provides a gentle, supportive environment for rehabilitation.

Aquatic therapy can treat many conditions. These include:

  • Amputation
  • Brain and spinal cord injuries
  • Neurological conditions
  • Orthopedic injuries
  • Stroke

Your doctor may recommend aquatic therapy if it may benefit your recovery.

How Aquatic Therapy Works

Aquatic therapy is gentler on your body than land-based rehab. You can do exercises in the pool that you may not be able to do on land.

The unique properties of water offer extra support to your body. These include:

  • Buoyancy: This reduces impact by decreasing gravity’s pull on your body. That lowers stress on your joints, helps your balance and makes it easier to move.

  • Hydrostatic pressure: The pressure of the water can improve your circulation, reduce swelling and lower pain.

  • Resistance: This helps increase strength and endurance.

  • Temperature: Warm water relaxes muscles, boosts circulation and can decrease inflammation.

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy provides many benefits. These can include:

  • Better balance and coordination
  • Greater range of motion
  • Improved confidence
  • Increased strength and endurance
  • Reduced pain and inflammation

What to Expect

Your rehabilitation team will develop your personalized plan. While plans vary, you will work with your therapist in the pool.

You don’t need to know how to swim to do aquatic therapy. Typically, sessions are in shallow water where you can stand.

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