For the first time ever, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run BYL Nair Hospital will soon establish aqua therapy facility for children. The hospital has managed to secure approval from the BMC for the same earlier this week.
Under Nair Hospital’s Early Intervention and Rehabilitation program, the facility will be provided for rehabilitation of children with special abilities at Nagpada in Byculla. This centre has nine specialised departments under one roof, including paediatrics, psychiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dentistry, orthopaedics, ENT, and ophthalmology. As the centre runs on appointments, it prevents overcrowding, providing enough space and time for doctors to focus on the needs of the children.
BMC top official further outlined plans to introduce aqua therapy in various parts of the city, considering feasibility and patient flow to the nearest civic-run hospitals.
What is Aqua Therapy?
Aqua-therapy, also known as aquatic therapy, provides a unique approach to pediatric neurorehabilitation. The buoyancy of water reduces gravitational forces, easing movement and minimising stress on joints.
Explaining further, official stated that by harnessing the power of water’s buoyancy, this innovative rehabilitation approach not only alleviates physical strain on delicate muscles and joints but also opens a gateway to enhanced motor skills, improved coordination, and a profound sense of well-being.
The positive impact of aqua-therapy on motor skills, balance, and flexibility in pediatric patients is well-documented as per doctors. Its enjoyable and relaxing nature encourages active participation among children, making it a valuable tool in holistic neurorehabilitation strategies.
This makes it the first civic-run hospital to initiate such treatment, involving therapeutic exercises performed in water.
It will majorly focus on children with neurological, developmental, and orthopedic conditions, and post-surgery rehabilitation.
Conditions such as cerebral palsy, juvenile arthritis, spina bifida, scoliosis, down’s syndrome, muscular dystrophy, autism, sensory processing disorder, and orthopedic or musculoskeletal pain syndrome can also benefit from aqua-therapy.
What is the cost of therapy?
The hospital plans to offer aqua-therapy at a concessional rate, making it accessible to economically disadvantaged children.
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