Aquatic Therapy

Warm-water rehabilitation to reduce pain, build strength, and move with confidence

At Daviess Community Hospital’s CORE Center, aquatic therapy combines the healing properties of warm water with targeted physical therapy to help you move more comfortably and recover safely. Our state-of-the-art therapy pool provides a supportive environment for people with arthritis, post-operative or weight-bearing limitations, neurological conditions, sports and work injuries, and persistent back or joint pain. A hydraulic lift chair is available to ensure safe entry and exit for patients who cannot use stairs.

Care is provided by licensed therapists and individualized to your goals. We welcome patients from Washington, Odon, and communities across Southern Indiana.

Why water works

• Buoyancy reduces load on joints
  Water supports body weight, decreasing impact so you can begin activity earlier and with less pain than on land.
• Warm water relaxes tight muscles
  Therapeutic temperature helps reduce spasm and improve blood flow, easing movement and stretching.
• Gentle resistance builds strength
  Water provides 360° resistance that increases as you move faster—ideal for progressive strengthening and balance work without heavy equipment.
• Safer practice for balance and gait
  The pool allows upright exercise with lower fall risk, making it an excellent setting for gait training and balance.

Most patients find aquatic therapy is comfortable, engaging, and motivating—a great way to rebuild confidence while managing pain and swelling.

Who may benefit

Aquatic physical therapy may be appropriate if you have:

• Weight-bearing limitations after injury or surgery
• Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) or osteoporosis/stress fractures
• Chronic pain (neck, mid-back, low-back, hip, knee, foot/ankle)
• Fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, or gait/balance difficulties
• Neurologic conditions (e.g., stroke, GBS, MS, spinal cord injury)
• Sports or orthopedic trauma (sprains, strains, post-immobilization stiffness)
• Limited tolerance to land therapy, deconditioning, or reduced endurance

Not sure if the pool is right for you? Call (812) 254-8889 and our team will help you determine next steps and whether a referral is needed for your insurance.

What aquatic therapy can address

• Improve joint range of motion and flexibility
• Build strength and postural control (core, hips, shoulders)
• Enhance gait and balance; reduce fall risk
• Support cardiovascular conditioning at a tolerable intensity
• Reduce pain, muscle spasm, and swelling
• Increase proprioception and body awareness to carry over to land

What to expect

Evaluation

Your therapist completes a focused assessment—history, goals, mobility, strength, balance—and designs a plan that includes pool-based and, when appropriate, land-based therapy.

Therapy sessions

Sessions are one-to-one or small-group, using the pool’s buoyancy and resistance to progress range of motion, strength, balance, and walking. Exercises are completed in upright positions when possible, so there’s no need to get up and down from the floor.

Safety & access

A hydraulic lift chair is available for safe entry/exit if stairs are not appropriate. Your therapist monitors intensity and comfort, and you can stop or modify activities at any time.

Home plan

You’ll receive a doable routine (water or land, based on your plan) to maintain progress between visits.

Is aquatic therapy right for me?

Consider asking about the pool if you:

• Have pain that limits land exercise
• Are recovering from surgery or a fracture with restricted weight bearing
• Need a gentler, safer way to rebuild balance and endurance
• Do better in warm water due to muscle spasm or stiffness

Your therapist will review indications and precautions (e.g., open wounds, infection, uncontrolled cardiac conditions) to ensure pool therapy is safe for you.

Locations & scheduling

Aquatic therapy sessions are conducted in the CORE Center therapy pool. Scheduling and evaluations are available at both clinics:

CORE Center | 421 E. Van Trees Street, Washington, IN
CORE Center at North Daviess | 800 S. West Street, Odon, IN

Call (812) 254-8889 to schedule an aquatic therapy evaluation or ask about referral requirements. We serve patients from Washington, Odon, Jasper, Vincennes, Loogootee, Petersburg, Bloomfield, and neighboring communities across Southern Indiana.

FAQs

What should I bring/wear?
A comfortable swimsuit (or athletic clothing approved by your therapist), non-slip pool shoes if recommended, and a towel.

How long are sessions?
Most pool sessions last 30–45 minutes, based on your plan and tolerance.

Can I start in the pool and later transition to land therapy?
Yes. Many patients begin in water to reduce pain and build confidence, then progress to combined pool/land or land-only as goals are met.

Do I need to know how to swim?
No. Aquatic therapy is performed in shallow water and is therapist-guided. A hydraulic lift chair is available for safe entry/exit.