OGDENSBURG – Claxton-Hepburn is reminding area residents that it offers an Aquatic Physical Therapy (APT) program.

APT is physical therapy performed in the water and can be helpful for a variety of medical conditions. Many patients who cannot perform traditional physical therapy exercises on land are able to participate in aquatics.

It offers notable benefits for patients with back pain. The warmth and buoyancy of the water helps to reduce stress on painful joints and muscles making it easier to perform strengthening and mobility activities.

Water can provide resistance or assistance with movement providing a good way to promote strength in patients with neurological conditions.

Because movements in the water are slower, patients find an added benefit of improving balance.

Aquatic Physical Therapy also uses pressure from water to reduce swelling. This is especially beneficial to obstetrical patients as well as patients with soft tissue or joint swelling.

A physical therapist and physical therapy assistant provide physical therapy in the pool following a land-based evaluation.