Some simple guidelines to prepare for your first Aquatic Therapy session.
Before
- Allow yourself time before and after your scheduled appointment, generally 45-60 minutes of this is spent in the water.
- You will need a swimsuit.
- All clients and practitioners are required to take a shower with soap to remove any lotions and oils from the skins surface.
- At the first session a short health history intake and consent form will be completed and signed, and range of movement tests may be undertaken in cases of restricted mobility.
- Your practitioner will outline the course of the session and answer any questions you might have.
In the water
- In the water your practitioner may wrap small 'floats' around your legs to aid in your bodies floatation during the session.
- You will be supported at all times by your practitioner under your head and either low back or knees and gently moved through the water in a continuous flowing motion, with the practitioner adding stretches, point work and massage as appropriate.
- Your ears will be mostly under the water, nose and mouth above. Earplugs are recommended and supplied to you by your practitioner.
- Some drift off to sleep, others remain aware of everything during a session, both are fine. There is no right or wrong way to receive Aquatic Bodywork.
- At any stage you have had enough for what-ever reason, you may ask to stop. (Although usually the opposite happens and people want a session to go on and on!)
After
- At the end of a session your practitioner will bring you to an upright stable position against the side of the pool and stay with you until you are ready to support yourself. Some people like to sit quietly at the wall, or float in the pool on their own, others like to talk a little about their experience of the session. Either is fine.
- Make sure you have planned time to rest quietly after your session (rather than rushing off to work!) and drink extra water throughout the remainder of your day. Also make sure you have a contact number for your practitioner in case you have questions later on...or would like another session!
