If It Hurts to Exercise, Give Aquatic Therapy a Try!

Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy

The research shows that exercising your joints is one of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis pain. Unfortunately, some movements can seem to worsen osteoarthritis pain, which means many people with this condition avoid exercise entirely.

One potential solution to this problem is aquatic therapy. Aquatic therapy is just like physical therapy — except it takes place in the water! Moving your therapy sessions or exercise routine into a pool will make movement more manageable and less painful while still reaping its benefits.

Why Aquatic Therapy Is a Great Choice for People with Osteoarthritis

Exercise in the water isn’t the same as exercising in the air. Water has two unique properties that make it significantly different from exercising on land:

Buoyancy: That feeling of weightlessness you experience in the water eases pressure on your joints, offering additional stability and support as you move through your exercises. Movements that feel painful on land will be much easier to perform in water.
Viscosity: At the same time, water slows your movements, forcing your muscles to work harder — building muscle strength and endurance without additional equipment!

Aquatic therapy’s benefits are numerous, especially for people with osteoarthritis. Studies show that water-based exercise is as effective as land-based exercise in improving joint function in patients with osteoarthritis. Aquatic therapy can also promote relaxation and stimulate blood circulation, particularly when performed in warm water.

Best of all, you don’t actually need to know how to swim to benefit from aquatic therapy. Even something as simple as walking through waist- or chest-high water will work. The therapists at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy can also guide you through the best water-based exercises for your needs.

Ready to get started with aquatic therapy? Call our clinic today!

Say Goodbye to Pain – Get Started with PT Now!

Ready to feel your best again? Come back to Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy and let us help you achieve your wellness goals—book your appointment today!

Request Appointment

Seasonal Recipe

Spring Veggie Tart

Ingredients

2 sheets puff pastry
1 egg, lightly beaten
5 oz vegetable dip
6 baby zucchini, halved lengthwise
3-4 yellow squash, thinly sliced with a mandoline
1 bunch asparagus, thinly sliced lengthwise with a mandoline
1 1/2 c goat cheese
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar glaze
Mixed herbs, to serve

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. To make tart case, place pastry sheets side by side on the lined tray. Brush egg wash along the long edge of one sheet, then overlap with the other by 1″ to create a large single sheet. Fold and pinch all four sides to make a 1″ border, pushing down to seal. Brush border with egg wash. Using a fork, prick the base of the tart all over. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes, until golden. Remove from oven and spread base of pastry with dip. Meanwhile, place vegetables in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over vegetables, steep for 1 min to blanch, then drain and pat dry with paper towel. Scatter vegetables over tart and crumble goat cheese on top. Drizzle with oil and vinegar glaze. Sprinkle with mixed herbs.

Follow Us on Instagram!

Stay connected with Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy! Follow us on Instagram for wellness tips, exercise ideas, and a behind-the-scenes look at our team in action. Don’t miss out! ✨

Click Here to Follow Us on Instagram

Don’t Let Yard Work Be a Pain! Tips for Avoiding an Injury in the Garden

Have you been putting off yard work? Consider this: It’s a great source of exercise and an excuse to get out in the fresh air. But it is essential for you to be mindful of injuries, particularly before diving into a strenuous outdoor project.

At Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy, we want to help you be safe and healthy as you work in your garden. Here are three of our physical therapists’ favorite tips for avoiding an injury as you take care of outdoor chores:

Warm up before you get started: Just as you get your body ready to go on a run or lift heavy weights, warm up before diving into intense yard work. Dynamic stretches or light aerobic activities work perfectly. Our team can give you suggestions!
Switch things up: Repetitive movements and staying in one position can both lead to strain and injury. If you’re performing a repetitive task, take breaks or alternate with different activities. For example, trim your rose bushes for 20 minutes, then take a break by sweeping your patio.
Be mindful of your movement: Certain movements, such as bending or twisting, put you at a higher risk of injury. If you find yourself contorting into awkward positions to complete a task, stop and take a moment to think about proper biomechanics. Our therapists can give you more personalized guidance.

The last thing you want is to injure yourself while working out in the garden. A little mindfulness can go a long way in preventing pain and injury.

Have questions? Our physical therapists can help! Call us to schedule an appointment today.

Join us for Gentle Yoga at Advance NOW!

Email brianna@advanceaquaticpt.com for more info & to let us know you are interested!

Wednesdays at 3:30pm in the Broomall clinic (registration is required)

Thursdays at 7:15pm in Springfield clinic (registration is required)

Click Here to Email Brianna About Yoga at APAT!

Dance & Movement Class

Dance & Movement Class on Mondays at 7:15pm in Springfield clinic (registration is required)

Email brianna@advanceaquaticpt.com for more info & to let us know you are interested!

Click Here to Email Brianna About Our Dance & Movement Class!

Exercise of the Month

Double Knee To Chest

Start on your back with your knees bent. Slowly bring both knees to your chest. Grasp your knees. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat.

We Want To Hear Your Success Story!

Has Advance Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy helped you live a better life? Let others know how much we can help them too! Click the button to leave us a Google review—your feedback helps others find the care they need!

Leave Your Review Here!

Patient Success

“The team has been very helpful in supporting me as well as my other family members that have come to Advance in becoming stronger & healthier!”
-Dana O.

Get Outdoors and Have Some Fun

With the warmer weather and longer days, getting outdoors is perfect for enjoying recreational activities. Here are some great ways to integrate outdoor activities into your weekly regimen:

Pickleball for Agility: This fun and social sport improves balance and coordination. It’s low-impact, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Golf for Mobility: Golfing is a great way to enhance mobility, especially in the hips and torso. It’s also a good walk, offering cardiovascular benefits.
Walking for Endurance: Regular walks can significantly boost cardiovascular health and lower body strength, whether in a park or around your neighborhood.

Always listen to your body and consult your Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy team to tailor these activities to your needs!

April is your opportunity to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and take a step towards better health!

Service Spotlight: Wellness Program

It is important that, after a full course of physical therapy is completed, patients continue their exercise program into the future in order to maintain the gains they have achieved. That is why Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy offers a wellness program after patients have been seen through their insurance carrier and discharged from skilled, supervised physical therapy. Advance’s wellness program allows patients to continue to use our exercise facilities and heated pool for their continued adherence to their customized exercise program.

Gym Membership: $90

Includes:

8 Visit Commitment
Independent use of exercise facilities
Customized Wellness Exercise Program

Thank you for subscribing to
Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy

Refer a Friend

Our purpose at Advance Physical & Aquatic Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.

Click Here to Refer a Friend!