What are the primary differences between neonatal hydrotherapy and therapeutic bathing?
Answer
The primary differences between neonatal hydrotherapy and therapeutic bathing lie in their purposes and execution. Therapeutic bathing, often referred to as swaddled bathing, primarily aims to clean, handle, and calm the infant without causing physical stress or temperature variations. It involves immersing the swaddled infant in warm water and gently washing each limb while keeping the rest of the body swaddled to maintain warmth and comfort. This process typically lasts between four to eight minutes and is usually conducted by nursing personnel. On the other hand, neonatal hydrotherapy, performed by physical or occupational therapists, focuses on improving physiological functions such as sleep, feeding behaviors, weight gain, and reducing pain. It involves more extensive and controlled movements in a larger tub to maximize the therapeutic benefits of water.
Andrea Salzman, MS, PT is the Founder and CEO of a new non-profit, the Aquatic Therapy Foundation, Inc. (launched in 2026). She has served as the Executive Director of Aquatic Therapy University (ATU), a global continuing education provider, since 2010. Andrea is a licensed physical therapist with over 30 years of experience educating physical, occupational, and speech therapists in evidence-based aquatic therapy across pediatric, adult, neurologic, orthopedic, and cardiopulmonary populations. Andrea has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Aquatic Therapy for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and has received numerous industry honors, including the APTA's Judy Cirullo Award, recognizing leadership and contributions to aquatic therapy practice. Her life's work emphasizes translating the therapeutic properties of water into clinically defensible, functionally relevant interventions for all who find themselves standing at the water's edge. Aquatic Therapy University's global clearinghouse of information is located online at: www.aquatictherapyuniversity.com.
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'I really enjoyed how the instructor emphasized the importance of keeping aquatic therapy enjoyable for the therapist and not get bogged down with all the negatives about aquatic therapy'Read Reviews
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