Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Services
A fun and engaging type of therapy
Aquatic therapy is a fun and engaging type of therapy that uses the properties of water to achieve therapeutic gains that may be too difficult for a child to attain through land based therapy. Therapeutic gains of aquatic therapy include but are not limited to normalization of muscle tone, improvements in strength, balance, range of motion, cardiovascular endurance and circulation. Aquatic therapy can also be beneficial for self-regulation and sensory processing.
Who can benefit from aquatic therapy?
A number of different patient populations can benefit from aquatic therapy. Some of the commonly treated populations at Orange Pediatric Therapy include:
- neurological impairments
- orthopedic injuries
- neuromuscular disorders
- cardiopulmonary disorders
- chronic pain
- sensory processing disorders







How can aquatic therapy help my child?
Buoyancy can be defined as the upward force exerted by water. This assists in decreasing the amount of weight bearing through joints when submerged in the water. As a result, buoyancy is helps to improve balance and core stability by limiting the fear of falling while still encouraging the individual to work against the force of the water to maintain an upright position. Buoyancy can also be helpful to assist with floatation activities that are used for relaxation in order to decrease muscle tone and improve joint range of motion.
Viscosity is described as the way that water molecules stick together as one tries to move through them. This creates a natural resistance of the water, which helps to strengthen muscles of the core and limbs. Increased resistance also helps to improve cardiovascular endurance by increasing the physical demands on the body as it moves through the water. Speed of movements in the water can be graded in order to achieve the desired result; as speed of movement increases, the resistance provided by water also increases and consequently, as the speed of movement decreases, the resistance provided by water decreases.
Hydrostatic pressure is defined as the force exerted by the water on a submerged body. This property of water helps to “squeeze” the individual in the water and as a result, allows that individual to tune out outside stimuli and feel more secure. This is particularly beneficial for children with sensory processing disorders or vestibular issues. Hydrostatic pressure is also helpful with improving circulation as it provides an external force on the body as the individual moves through the water.
The warmer water temperature in the aquatic therapy environment is beneficial for relaxation of muscle tone and limiting involuntary or spastic movements that may otherwise impede therapeutic gains in a land based setting. Warmer water temperature also helps to improve circulation through blood vessel dilation.
What Clients Are Saying
I love working at Cheshire Fitness Zone because the therapy team is always willing to collaborate and share different treatment strategies and therapy techniques. You are never at a loss for ideas!
Thank you for teaching me everything I know about OT and sensory diets. You go above and beyond for our students and we really appreciate all that you have given us.
Cheshire Fitness Zone has been absolutely wonderful for my family. All of the staff and therapists treat the children with respect and truly care about their development. The therapists are always available to ask questions and are extremely knowledgeable. The front desk staff alway works to accommodate our schedule and are always friendly and kind. I always refer Cheshire Fitness Zone to other families who are looking for services for their children.
My family has been blessed with this amazing crew at Cheshire Fitness Zone for almost five years. My daughter started PT at six months of age when we discovered unexpected delays. The staff from day one has gone above and beyond to help my daughter to be where she is today. They are not only extremely knowledgeable in their individual fields, but make everyone who walks through their door feel welcome and cared for. After the past five years, I consider these individuals like family. They have taught me so many ways to help my daughter and also to strive for the best and prepare for her future. I would highly recommend Cheshire Fitness Zone to anyone who needs services for their children. We appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
Cheshire Fitness Zone therapists offer hope, encouragement, and creativity. They deliver on persistence, personal gains, and individual growth because they genuinely care. In spite of working on the steps to tie his shoes for over six months at a different facility, at Cheshire Fitness Zone Erin never lost hope or let him quit. Although he had no idea each week she worked on skills that when put together would tie a shoe. She approached the idea of tying many times only to be met with complete resistance and totally shutting down. Then one day he came to me after his session and said, ‘Hey mom, guess what? I can tie my shoes.’ When I saw the pride in his eyes and the encouragement on Erin’s face I knew he had done it. It was one of the happiest moments of his childhood. What a gift…self-pride and independence.
We can’t thank you enough. I don’t think we would be where we are if it wasn’t for your care, guidance, and support for Cole and us.
I honestly can’t thank you enough for all the time you spent with us and the very valuable advice that you gave.
I love it here. They make you feel like family; they work with your schedule. Everyone in the office is very friendly. I’m here with my son three times a week and I see the differences from when he first started and he’s been doing great. This place is just great with my son and with other kids I see around. I’m truly blessed to be around great people all the time.
Both of our sons have participated in physical, occupational, and speech therapy at Cheshire Fitness Zone. We make the forty minute trek to Cheshire three times per week because the therapists are like none other we have encountered. Our sons (4 and 5 years old) have received therapy since birth and I was so pleased to have found Cheshire Fitness Zone. Both of my kids have been challenged and nurtured by the therapists. They are so amazing with the kids and I am thankful for their dedication.
We have been coming to Cheshire Fitness Zone for fifteen years. Our son has a motor dyspraxia which causes challenges with posture, upper body strength, and affects his fine motor skills too. After coming consistently every week for 1-2 visits he has surpassed many of his physical challenges. Now as a young man he takes physical challenges like 5k’s and bike challenges with a smile. We are grateful to the many physical therapists he has had over the years. Each of them has encouraged him and pushed him to improve in a gentle, but firm way, and always with a sense of humor. Our son looks forward to coming every week.