HYDROTHERAPY CLASSES Sam Regner Mrs. Danehower

Have you ever wondered how people with physical disabilities exercise? Or ever how hard it is for them to get physical activity?

Why I chose this topic I chose this topic for my senior project because I have Cerebral Palsy and I was interested in learning about ways to help people with disabilities to improve their condition. I knew you could do things like physical therapy to help, but I had heard about people doing hydrotherapy. I wanted to see how it could effect one’s condition and compare the difference.

Muscular Disabilities People with disabilities like Cerebral Palsy greatly benefit from water therapy. The warm water helps to take away muscle stiffness. Children with autism are more successful with hydrotherapy because the water decreases the effects of gravity, giving them more buoyancy.

What is Hydrotherapy? Hydrotherapy is the application of water for the treatment of physical pain. Hydrotherapy is a natural form of therapy and heals by using thermal effects. The warmth of the water helps to take away muscle stiffness. Hydrotherapy helps to improve ones range of Motion and helps it improve ones strength.

Forms of Hydrotherapy The most common form of hydrotherapy is regular hydrotherapy, it relaxes stressed joints and makes it easier to do activities on land without pain. Another form is saunas, they not only help people with muscular disabilities, but can help children with muscular diseases that are prone to breathing problems.

How Hydrotherapy can help There are several ways that hydrotherapy can help people with these conditions. Hydrotherapy helps you to move in ways that are impossible to do on land, because movement is much more easier in the water. helps people to become stronger and flexible. It makes it easier to do activities on land. Quicker recovery The relaxing feel people get from the warm water helps people to feel better about themselves.

Range of motion and strength Hydrotherapy can help to increase someone's range of motion by the water giving people more buoyancy and allowing the body to become more flexible. Helps to improve ones strength. When a person is moving in the water they a acting against the force of gravity, which helps them to build muscle.

Link between research and product I took hydrotherapy classes at the Rex Health and Wellness center, since I have Cerebral Palsy which is a muscular disability. I did both range of motion classes and water aerobics classes. I learned different ways to exercise and become more flexible in the pool. The two classes helped me to see first hand if water therapy is beneficial.

Steps Talking to mentor Contacting Rex Wellness center Take range of motion and water aerobics classes Shadowing physical therapist My Trifold

Problems I Encountered Trying to find a place where I could take Hydrotherapy classes. Once I was there, explaining to others why I was taking the classes and what I was trying to accomplish. Time management I overcame these problems by working with my mentor to make sure everything was on time so I wouldn’t get off task.

Reflection Water therapy is beneficial for people with muscular disabilities, it helps them to go day to day without being in pain. I was able to learn how to be more independent and how to reach out to others when I need help.

Thank you for your time. Do you have any questions?