Clinic offers aquatic therapy to patients Published May 5, 2008 By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson 305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- The 305th Medical Group physical therapy clinic now offers aquatic therapy to patients Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Fort Dix indoor pool. Aquatic therapy can help patients recover from many types of injuries - from neurological to musculoskeletal. Research has shown aquatic therapy to help improve multiple musculoskeletal conditions - arthritis, post-surgical recovery, neck and back pain, and fractures. The properties of water allow patients to improve endurance, strength, joint range of motion, balance and coordination. At the same time patients feel weightlessness, have decreased joint compression, and a reduction in pain and muscle spasms. The aquatics therapy program is part of the McGuire physical therapy clinic. Patients are referred to physical therapy by their primary care physician. They are then evaluated and determined if land-based therapy verses water-based therapy, or both, would be most beneficial. If it is determined the patient would benefit, he/she is then prescribed aquatic therapy. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, each one hour long. Each class holds up to ten patients. The goal of the McGuire physical therapy aquatic program is to get patients to continue an aquatic exercise program independently on their own. With the services the physical therapy clinic already provides, clinic staff hope the addition of the aquatic therapy program will enhance patient care to help get patients back to work and activity as soon as possible.