Q. What is physical therapy?
A. Physical therapy is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain and/or improve their physical abilities by addressing their bones, muscles, joints and nerves. Physical therapists provide treatment to individuals to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and function throughout life. This includes providing treatment in circumstances where movement and function are threatened by aging, injury, disease or environmental factors.

Q. Who performs the physical therapy?
A. Physical therapy is directed by either a physical therapist (PT) or assistant physical therapist (PTA) acting under the former’s direction. Physical therapists use an individual’s history and physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis and establish a management plan and, when necessary, incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging studies. Instructional support and treatment of physical disabilities provided by a trained physical therapist, under a doctor’s prescription, is half of the equation of improved health. The patient’s attitude and willingness to work towards their goals is the equally important other half; the patient is indeed the one performing the physical therapy.

Q. Do you work closely with my referring doctor?
A. We provide information to your doctor regarding your progress. We write reports and interact with your doctor when necessary; communicating detailed information that helps your medical team form a unified decision for your health and recovery.

Q. How long is each appointment? How often will I need to attend physical therapy?
A. The average treatment session is approximately one hour. This may vary based on individual needs. Most patients are treated two to three times per week. The total duration of treatments will depend on the severity of your injury/dysfunction.

Q. Do I need to know how to swim to do aquatic therapy?
A. No. Exercises are performed in a water depth that the patient is most comfortable. A therapist works beside you in the water to guide you through your program. If deep water is included in your therapy, floatation devices are used at all times.

Q. Is a salt water system as clean and sanitary as a chlorine pool?
A. Yes. Our system is every bit effective at sanitizing our pool as a regular chlorine system, it produces chlorine naturally. In addition, our system produces NO harmful gaseous vapors or byproducts (chloramines) of a regular chlorine pool, is safer on the skin and will not fade swimwear.

Q. What should I wear to my appointment?
A. For the evaluation and/or dry therapy, athletic wear or loose, comfortable clothes are helpful. Gym or walking shoes are requested. For pool therapy we recommend a swimsuit. Shorts and cover-ups are acceptable. You are required to wear footwear on the pool deck and aqua shoes in the pool. Aqua shoes are available for sale at our front office.

Q. How do I enter and exit the pool if I can not use stairs?
A. We have a hydraulic chairlift that is used for those individuals who may have difficulty with ambulating stairs.

Q. Do I need a prescription for massage therapy?
A. No. Water Works offers private massage to the public without a prescription. If a patient would like massage included in their treatment, insurance companies do require a doctor’s prescription in order for reimbursement.

Q. What are your business hours?
A. We are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For your convenience, we are open during lunch. Pilates is available evenings and weekends by appointment. You may obtain more information from our front office.