Aquatic Physical Therapy
Aquatic Physical Therapy in the Chicagoland Area
Move Toward Recovery With the Support of Water
When pain, stiffness, or weakness makes exercise difficult, a pool-based rehabilitation program may offer another way to get moving.
ReLive Physical Therapy offers aquatic physical therapy for patients in the Chicagoland area. Your therapist will evaluate your needs and determine whether water-based treatment is appropriate for your rehabilitation goals.
Contact our team to discuss aquatic therapy availability, participating pool locations, and how to get started.
What Is Aquatic Physical Therapy?
Aquatic physical therapy is individualized rehabilitation performed in water under the guidance of a rehabilitation professional.
Water supports part of your body weight, which can reduce the load on joints during movement. It also provides resistance that can be used during therapeutic exercise.
Your program may focus on mobility, strength, walking, balance, or activity tolerance. Treatment is selected around your condition and goals rather than following a general pool workout.
Who May Benefit From Aquatic Therapy?
Aquatic therapy may be considered when land-based exercise is uncomfortable or difficult. An evaluation can help determine whether it is appropriate for concerns such as:
- Arthritis and joint stiffness.
- Back pain and movement limitations.
- Weakness or reduced activity tolerance.
- Walking and balance difficulties.
- Sports injuries, sprains, or strains.
- Recovery following joint replacement or another surgery, once cleared.
- Persistent pain that affects participation in exercise.
Having one of these concerns does not automatically make aquatic therapy the right choice. Your therapist will review your health history, precautions, and ability to participate safely.
How Water Can Support Rehabilitation
Less Load During Movement
Resistance for Therapeutic Exercise
Practice With Walking and Balance
A Different Way to Participate in Exercise
Less Load During Movement
Water’s buoyancy supports your body during exercise. For some patients, this makes movements more manageable than they are on land.
Resistance for Therapeutic Exercise
Moving through water creates resistance. Your therapist can adjust activities to match your abilities and treatment goals.
Practice With Walking and Balance
A pool setting may allow selected patients to practice stepping, changing direction, and maintaining stability with the support of water.
A Different Way to Participate in Exercise
When your usual exercise routine feels difficult, aquatic rehabilitation may provide an appropriate starting point or complement to land-based care.
Your response will guide treatment decisions. Aquatic therapy does not guarantee pain-free movement or a specific recovery timeline.
Aquatic Physical Therapy vs. Pool Exercise
Recreational swimming and water exercise classes can support general fitness. Aquatic physical therapy has a different purpose: addressing an identified rehabilitation need.
Your therapist develops a plan based on an evaluation, selects appropriate activities, and monitors your progress. Exercises may change as your symptoms and abilities change.
The goal is to connect what you practice in the water to the movements that matter outside the pool.
Where Do ReLive’s Aquatic Therapy Sessions Take Place?
ReLive offers aquatic physical therapy through its partnership with LA Fitness.
Pool-based appointments may take place at a different address from your usual ReLive clinic. Before your first aquatic session, our team will confirm the participating facility, appointment time, arrival instructions, and any access requirements.
Contact us to identify an available aquatic therapy location that works for you. Do not assume that every ReLive clinic or LA Fitness facility offers this program.
What to Expect When Getting Started
Review Your Symptoms and Goals
Tell your therapist which movements are difficult, what treatment you have already received, and what you hope to return to doing.
Determine Whether Pool-Based Care Is Appropriate
Your therapist will review relevant medical conditions, surgical precautions, and other factors that may affect pool participation. Medical clearance may be needed.
Confirm Your Appointment Details
Our team will explain where your evaluation and aquatic sessions take place, what to bring, and how to access the facility.
Begin an Individualized Program
If aquatic therapy is recommended, activities will be selected for your abilities and adjusted as you progress. Tell your therapist about discomfort, fatigue, or concerns about being in the water.
Connecting Pool-Based Care to Everyday Activities
Your rehabilitation goals may include walking farther, navigating stairs, returning to exercise, or managing household tasks more comfortably.
Aquatic therapy can be one part of that plan. Depending on your needs, your therapist may combine pool sessions with clinic-based exercises, movement education, or other appropriate treatment.
As your abilities change, your plan may place greater emphasis on activities performed on land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aquatic Physical Therapy
Do I need to know how to swim?
Aquatic therapy does not necessarily require swimming skills. Tell our team about your swimming ability and comfort in water before scheduling so the provider can assess whether the available setting is appropriate.
What if I am nervous about the pool?
Let us know in advance. Ask about water depth, pool entry, available support, and supervision. These details help you and your therapist decide whether aquatic treatment is a suitable option.
Do I need an LA Fitness membership?
Contact ReLive to confirm access arrangements for the participating facility. Do not purchase a membership solely for therapy without first discussing the program’s requirements with our team.
Are appointments individual or in a group?
ReLive’s aquatic program includes individual and group options. Availability and the recommended format depend on your needs and the participating location. Confirm the arrangement when scheduling.
Can I start aquatic therapy immediately after surgery?
Not necessarily. Your surgeon must clear pool participation, and wound healing and surgical restrictions need to be considered. Follow your medical team’s instructions about when you can begin.
Is aquatic therapy appropriate for everyone?
No. Open wounds, certain infections, and some medical conditions may make pool participation unsuitable or require additional clearance. Share your medical history before beginning treatment.
What should I bring?
Ask the team for the participating facility’s requirements. You may need suitable swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. Also confirm footwear, changing-room arrangements, and any assistance you need entering or leaving the pool.
Is the pool heated?
Pool conditions vary by facility. Ask our team about the specific pool’s temperature, depth, and accessibility features before your appointment.
Will aquatic therapy replace my regular physical therapy?
It may be used as part of a broader rehabilitation plan. Your therapist will explain whether aquatic sessions, land-based treatment, or a combination fits your goals.
How many sessions will I need?
Recommendations depend on your evaluation, goals, and response to treatment. Your therapist will review progress and discuss whether to continue or adjust the approach.
Does insurance cover aquatic physical therapy?
Coverage and authorization requirements vary. Contact ReLive to discuss billing arrangements and confirm your benefits and potential out-of-pocket costs with your insurer. A fitness facility membership is separate from healthcare coverage.
Ready to get started with Aquatic Physical Therapy?
ReLive helps patients throughout the greater Chicago region explore rehabilitation options that fit their needs.
If you are looking for aquatic physical therapy near home or work, contact our team to confirm the nearest participating pool location. We can explain how pool-based appointments connect with your care at a ReLive clinic.
Call (630) 339-3849 to discuss availability, facility access, and scheduling.
Services Offered
Aquatic Physical Therapy
Patients love our aquatic therapy! It is easier on your joints and muscles as you get moving again. Aquatic therapy is fun and effective! Learn more here
Auto Accident Physical Therapy
Have you been in a car, truck or motorcycle accident? Whiplash, back pain, headaches - ReLive treats it all! Call us today.
Balance & Fall Prevention
It can be difficult to keep our balance and falls become more common as we age. Check out ReLive's Balance & Fall Prevention program to reduce those risks.
Certified Hand Therapy
Hand injuries can be a difficult area to achieve 100% recovery. However, our hand therapists are known for spectacular results.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is becoming more and more popular for injury and muscle recovery due to immediate relief. See one of our certified dry needling experts today!
Free Injury Screening
ake advantage of our Free Injury Screening offer. One of our PT's will be able to tell you and show you how we can help you get back to full mobility.
Manual Therapy
ReLive's dedicated 1:1 therapy ensures you get manual therapies done thoroughly. Tired of being treated in groups? Call ReLive today!
Post-Surgery Physical Therapy
PT after surgery ensures that you recovery fully and get the maximum range of motion. Get better faster with ReLive's post surgery program.
Sports Medicine
With our passionate sports medicine physical therapists, you'll be back in the game and top performance in no time. Call today to learn more.
Vestibular Therapy
Do you suffer from vertigo or dizziness? Did you know that physical therapy can help long & short term? Learn how we can help eliminate vertigo.
Women’s Health & Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
We have specialty therapists fluent in women's health therapy, including pelvic floor and other treatment needs. Call ReLive today to learn more!
Work Injury Therapy
Physical therapy after a work injury is essential for preventing long-term damage. Our therapists will get you recovered and ready for work.
Request an appointment
Talk to one of our physical therapy experts
Get started on your journey to healing
Take the Next Step Toward More Comfortable Movement
If pain or limited mobility is making exercise difficult, ask whether aquatic physical therapy could be part of your rehabilitation plan.
Call (630) 339-3849 or submit an appointment request online. A Patient Service Advocate will follow up to discuss your needs and coordinate the appropriate next step.
