• Water promotes relaxation and safe, early movement of stiff joints.
• Exercise in water decreases wear and tear on joints.
• The hydrostatic pressure of water helps control swelling.
• Aquatic exercise is tolerated earlier post-surgically and speeds up return to work, sports or recreational activities.
• Training in the upright position is a functional position for most activities.
• The turbulence of water dynamically challenges the back stabilizing muscles and enhances balance training.
• Water provides resistance in any direction of movement for muscle strengthening.

Who benefits from Aquatic Therapy?  

People who have difficulty with traditional exercise programs:

• Spinal patients - when being upright is painful. For "core" stabilization, reduced weight bearing and pain control.
• After joint surgery - to get back on your feet. For early weight bearing, swelling control, range of motion, and strength.
• Individuals with Osteoarthritis - exercise without pain. For strengthening, balance training, and pain relief.
• Frail elderly - safe, weight-free environment for exercise. For balance and gait training, general strengthening and conditioning.
• Expectant moms - reduce the weight demand. For general conditioning in a weight reduced environment.
• Athletes - get back on the field quickly and safely. For early exercise after injuries and to minimize lost time from the field.

What can you expect form OSI's Aquatic Therapy program?

• Your doctor or therapist may refer you to one of our aquatic therapists.
• Our aquatic therapists will communicate with the referring doctor or therapist.
• Your first visit will be an evaluation to get your medical history, determine your functional deficits, discuss your plan of care, establish goals, and to make sure you are an appropriate candidate for pool therapy. You will get into the water on your second visit.
• Your therapist who provides aquatic therapy will evaluate your condition and develop a pool and land exercise program, and if necessary will help patients find a local pool resource.
• Your pool therapy / exercise program will last 45 minutes per session.
• On average we see aquatic therapy patients 3-6 visits. However, our therapists manage each patient's case specific to their needs.

Where is our Aquatic Therapy offered?

Forest Lake
At the AmericInn in Forest Lake
Pool temperature: 87 - 88 degrees
Access to 100 degree hot tub
Click here for more details on our Forest Lake location

Tammy Kasprowicz, PT

Sheila Maassen, PT

Trixie McConnell, PTA

White Bear Lake
At the AmericInn in White Bear Lake
4675 White Bear Parkway
Pool Temperature: 82 - 84 degrees
Access to 100 degree hot tub
Click here for more details on our White Bear Lake - BP location