Aquatic therapy provides a safe, supportive environment for gentle, low-impact exercise, helping to ease joint pressure, improve strength, and maintain mobility—making it an ideal choice for those managing these progressive conditions.

What are Neuromuscular Diseases?

• Wide group of progressive, acquired, or hereditary diseases that affect your peripheral or central nervous system, anterior horn cells, nerves, neuromuscular junction and/or muscles
• Can include Muscular Dystrophies, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Post-Polio Syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, Miller Fisher Syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy
• The onset of symptoms may occur in childhood or adulthood with varying life expectancies based on the type of disorder and it’s severity
• With the progression of the disease, the most common changes that are affected are functional mobility, balance, and cardiovascular and/or respiratory function

What are the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy for Neuromuscular Conditions?

• The buoyancy of the water provides support and unloads the joints
  • This allows you to perform exercise that could cause significant pain or discomfort when out of the water/on land
• The hydrodynamic resistance allows multi-directional strengthening to improve cardiovascular health
• Due to its low-impact nature, the aquatic environment creates a movement opportunity for improving balance and gait with a low risk of injury and falling, which is ideal for people with weaker muscles
• One of the most common physical activities for children with neuromuscular disorders and can be used in all phases of the disease progression
• Immersion in water elicits physiological responses from the cardiac and respiratory system, including an increase in cardiac output and an increase in the work of breathing, resulting in changes in respiratory dynamics
  • Exercises focusing on proper breathing mechanics
• Aerobic, stretching/range of motion, resistance and stability training