Aquatic therapy uses the mechanical and thermal properties of water in combination with specific exercises and movements of the patient. The aquatic environment represents a source of sensory stimuli that induce short term and long term adaptations thus creating therapeutic results in a client's disoriented biological system. A combined set of specific and non-specific movements/exercises targeting on specific bodily segments aim to deal with the dysfunction. Aquatic therapy is one of the specializations of an interdisciplinary scientific team and is materialized in specifically designed pools in temperatures ranging between 32-34o Celsius and with the proper ambient conditions (45-60% humidity).

Aquatic therapy programs are designed from a well trained and educated therapist and are based on the individual needs of the patient aiming always for improvement of functional capacity, level of activity and kinetic participation in daily activities in accordance to the International Classification of function, disability and health (ICF, WHO, 2001). The procedure of designing a therapeutic protocol is based on evidence based clinical practice (Sacket 1996) which combines the relative research findings with the therapeutic focus and the needs (aims) of every patient.

Every patient's functional capacity is evaluated prior to initiation of the therapeutic program and during the course of the therapy in regular intervals, so that the course-progress of the therapy can be adjusted accordingly to the hydro-therapeutic program. Some of the known methods applied in aquatic therapy are, Halliwick Therapy (water specific therapy), Bad-Ragaz Ring method, Clinical Ai Chi, Clinical Watsu, Obstacle course, Aqua T relax, Aqua Fitness, Conventional Hydrotherapy, Ηubbard therapy, Feldenkrais, Alexander and Functional Training.

Modern aquatic therapy is applied on neurological, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, developmental, cardiorespiratory cases with proven clinical success. The research background on aquatic therapy is growing rapidly and confirms the historically acknowledged therapeutic water medium. Aquatic therapy is already developing internationally by a substantial "rebirth" of this tradition on a contemporary scientific base. Johan Lambeck, a physical therapist and Senior Lecturer at the IATF association is considered to be one of the pioneering physical therapists who based on the traditional Halliwick method which he taught for numerous years along with its founder, has developed Clinical Aquatic Therapy based on evidence based clinical practice (). In this section we will present issues and advances of Aquatic Therapy that concern, Clinical Aquatic Therapy, Aquatic Rehabilitation, and Aquatic Exercise for combating Chronic Diseases.

http://www.halliwick.net/en/iatf-ihtn-and-ihf