Aquatic therapy is just what the doctor ordered for Richard Armstrong.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital has added aquatic therapy as a rehabilitation option for patients. Armstrong has capitalized on the therapy at the Indoor Aquatic Center.

“It’s been a great, great thing,” said Armstrong.

Armstrong suffers from neuropathy and experiences a loss of strength from the condition. Before he began aquatic therapy, Armstrong was frustrated when doctors repeatedly told him there was nothing he could do about his loss of strength.

Aquatic therapy has helped Armstrong regain his strength. The therapy uses an assortment of pool weights, paddles, fins and kickboards, which work against the resistance of water while increasing a patient’s strength and mobility.

In his first aquatic therapy session, Armstrong took the Tinetti Assessment, which tests for balance and gait. The test tracks a person’s ability to perform specific tasks on land. Armstrong’s score improved by 15 points from his first session to his second. Armstrong has seen improvements in his strength and balance. His confidence also received a boost.

“I feel so different,” Armstrong said. “Before I was negative all the time and now I’m positive. My whole attitude on life has changed.”

Armstrong has been in the program for a few months. Because of the improvement he’s shown, Armstrong has trimmed his therapy sessions from three times a week to twice a week.

Barb Park, a physical therapist, said aquatic therapy had a high success rate but was not for everyone. Park said patients with back pain seemed to benefit the most from aquatic therapy. The therapy also was ideal for patients experiencing problems with shoulders, knees, swelling, range of motion, circulation and loss of strength. Older patients, especially ones with arthritis, tend to benefit most from this treatment.

Physical therapist Barb Park, left, assists Richard Armstrong during an aquatic therapy session at the Indoor Aquatic Center. Aquatic therapy is a rehabilitation option at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Park said the program, which began in November, required patients to complete one to three sessions per week. A patient meets one on one with a licensed physical therapist for a half-hour session.

Park said most patients participating in the aquatic therapy sessions for about two weeks use it in conjunction with other rehabilitation treatments. A prospective patient and therapist can determine if the therapy will be successful in one to two sessions. Park said when a patient completed treatments with a therapist it did not mean the rehabilitation process should end.

“Our goal is to teach patients what to do in the water and have them continue to do it on their own,” Park said.

In addition to rehabilitation services, aquatic therapy also helped people begin a weight-loss program.

“It’s a great way to start up on an enjoyable exercise program,” Park said. “It’s great for people who know they need to exercise and going to the gym is something they don’t want to do.”

People interested in aquatic therapy should contact their primary physician and get a referral, Park said

Aquatic therapy sessions are held in the morning on Monday through Friday at the Indoor Aquatic Center.