The Aquatic Therapy Program at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano was developed by a licensed therapist trained to address the specific needs of children. Texas Health Plano has two salt-water therapy pools with varied depths, and a lift is available for patients who are not able to use the steps. The buoyancy of the water is ideal for increasing range of motion, strength, cardiovascular conditioning and muscle tone. Aquatic-based therapy offers a fun environment that can be a great addition to your child's current treatment program.
Potential benefits of Aquatic Therapy include:
- Increased range of motion, endurance, strengthening and joint flexibility
- Decreased pain
- Promotes relaxation and decreased abnormal muscle tone
- Increased coordination
- Increased perceptual/spatial awareness
- Promotes freedom of movement in patients with mobility limitations
- Motivation and enjoyment
- Confidence in the water will build with exposure
Patients with the following conditions cannot participate in aquatic therapy:
- Severe cardiac problems
- Uncontrolled seizures
- Significant respiratory disease
- Open wounds
- Open tracheostomy
- Infectious skin conditions
- Fever
- Urinary infections
For additional information regarding Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Services at Texas Health Plano or to schedule an appointment, call 972-981-8185. A physician referral is required.
Pool Rules for Parents
- Your child needs to go the bathroom and be dressed and ready to enter the pool at the start of the therapy session unless the therapist is working with your child on self-care skills. You are also required to dry and dress your child at the end of a session. You may use the locker rooms located near the pool.
- Patients and parents may not enter the pool area without the therapist.
- Children that are not patients (including siblings) will not be allowed in the room with the pools for safety reasons.
- A parent may be required to get in the pool with the child at least one time during the duration of aquatic therapy in order to learn treatment techniques.
- A child needs to bring his or her own towel. Texas Health Plano does not provide linen service.
- Please bring a lock if you would like to lock personal items in the locker room lockers. Texas Health Plano is not responsible for anything lost or stolen.
- Food or drinks are not allowed in the pool area. The exception is bottled water with a lid. There is a water fountain located in the pool area, as well.
- Required pool safety equipment is on site. Any specialized medical equipment should be brought by the parents (including suction machines).
- If there is any possibility that your child will lose bladder or bowel control during a treatment, a swim diaper and plastic pants are required.
- Please do not bring your child to aquatic treatment when ill or if they have had diarrhea in the last 24 hours. The standard department illness policy also applies to Aquatic Therapy.
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