Benefits of Rehabbing in the Water

     Aquatic therapy is a specialized form of physical or occupational therapy. For years, therapists have utilized aquatic therapy with a variety of patient populations with positive results. The special properties of water allow those who are unable to exercise on land to engage in physical activity. The use of
water is specifically recommended for restoration, maintenance and increasing function in patients with acute, transient or chronic disabilities, syndromes or diseases, such as arthritis, strokes, obesity, and Parkinson’s Disease. Best of all, you don’t need to know how to swim to experience its benefits.

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

• Warm water facilitates muscle relaxation and increases peripheral circulation.
• Viscosity of water provides resistance for strength training.
• Warm water stimulates body awareness, balance, and trunk stability.
• The reduction of gravitational forces in the pool allows the patient to stand and begin gait training and strengthening exercises without causing further damage to healing structures.
• Warm water and buoyancy results in decreased pain sensitivity.
• Improvement of patient morale and confidence can be established by providing a positive medium in which to function.

Clinician Goes to Continuing Education in Aquatic Therapy

     Kristin Coleman, LPTA, ATRIC, recently attended a conference in Chicago for continuing education in aquatic therapy (AT). Kristin has been certified in AT since 2013 through Aquatic Therapy & Rehabilitation International. Kristin is located at our Davison clinic inside the Davison Athletic Club where she performs aquatic therapy in their pool. She offers both private and group therapy sessions (stipulations apply to group sessions, please contact the Davison clinic for details). Aquatic therapy is a great option for those who cannot exercise on land due to issues like arthritis or knee replacement. We also have aquatic therapy available at our Clarkston clinic inside Deer Lake Athletic Club. You can get to know Kristin by reading her biography below.

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     Kristin Coleman, LPTA, ATRIC has been a valued part of Advanced Physical Therapy Center’s clinical staff since 2005. She received her physical therapist assistant degree from Baker College of Muskegon in 2004. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Baker College as well.

Kristin continues to expand her knowledge and expertise by attending a variety of continuing education classes, for example she has attended the DiMaggio Technique for back and neck pain, the Graston Technique (instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization), Kinesiology Taping, and Muscle Energy Technique (manual therapy for somatic dysfunction). She received a certification in aquatic therapy from the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute in 2013 and has attended courses pertaining to aquatic therapy every year since.

     Kristin is from the Flint area, but now lives in Davison. She is the clinic director of Advanced Physical Therapy Center in Davison. In her spare time, she likes to go kayaking, boating and camping. She is a big Tiger’s baseball fan and loves watching and attending their games. She is passionate about animals and has four dogs of her own. She is also a volunteer for the Humane Society and the Toys for Tots program.

     When Kristin is working with her patients, she enjoys educating and giving them the “tools” they need to improve their current condition and prevent future issues. She also takes pleasure in helping patients get back to living their normal lives after surgery. “I love running into previous patients and hearing about their continued success. It’s great to know that I was able to contribute to it,” says Kristin. Her work philosophy is that patients shouldn’t dread coming to therapy, and she tries her hardest to help patient enjoy the process.

     She has acquired many patient success stories over the years, but her favorite is one of her patient who had been involved in a terrible car accident, which left them wheel chair bound. But by the end of their therapy program with Kristin, the patient was able walk out of the clinic for the last time with only the use of a cane for assistance. “I want my patients to know that I am fully invested in their recovery and helping them reach their goals. It is so rewarding to know that you helped a patient live pain-free or helped them to gain mobility,” states Kristin.

Our Davison clinic is located at 2138 Fairway Drive (inside the Davison Athletic Club).  You can contact Kristin at (810) 412-5100.