Aquatic Physical Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain and Arthritis: A South Hero Patient Story
For some people with arthritis and chronic low back pain, traditional land-based physical therapy can feel too painful to begin. At Living Well Center for Integrative Health, Veronica Paquette, PT, ATRIC, PRC, used aquatic therapy alongside chiropractic care to help a 75-year-old patient from South Hero move with less pain, rebuild strength, and return to daily activities with greater confidence and independence.
When land-based PT felt too painful
This patient came to Living Well struggling with persistent low back pain and arthritis that made movement difficult and discouraging. She had previously tried land-based physical therapy elsewhere, but the pain was too intense, making it hard to continue consistently or feel confident about exercise.
Like many older adults with chronic pain, she did not just want pain relief. She wanted to stay active, manage everyday tasks more comfortably, and maintain her independence at home and in the community.
A personalized plan with Veronica
At Living Well, Veronica Paquette, PT, ATRIC, PRC, created a treatment plan built around what the patient could tolerate safely and successfully. Living Well’s physical therapy approach emphasizes understanding the underlying cause of pain, using water alongside skilled hands-on therapy, and transitioning patients to injury-specific land-based programs for long-lasting results.
Because the patient’s arthritis and low back pain made exercise on land too uncomfortable, Veronica began with aquatic physical therapy. The buoyancy of the water reduced stress on the spine and joints, which made it easier for the patient to move, begin strengthening work, and rebuild confidence without the same level of pain she experienced during prior land-based care.
Why aquatic therapy helped
Aquatic therapy can be especially effective for people with chronic low back pain because water supports the body, reduces weight-bearing stress, and allows movement with less pain. A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open found that therapeutic aquatic exercise led to greater improvements in pain, function, quality of life, sleep quality, and mental state than standard physical therapy in adults with chronic low back pain.
This approach also makes sense for patients with arthritis. The CDC recommends joint-friendly physical activities such as swimming and water exercise because physical activity can reduce arthritis pain and improve function and quality of life.
Combining aquatic therapy and chiropractic care
Veronica integrated aquatic therapy with chiropractic care so the patient could benefit from a broader, coordinated approach to pain relief and movement restoration. Rather than forcing painful exercise too soon, the focus was on creating a safe path back to better mobility, improved strength, and more comfortable function.
In the pool, the patient was able to start moving in ways that felt possible again. As her tolerance improved, Veronica gradually helped her transition back toward land-based movement, reinforcing the strength, control, and mobility she had begun developing in the water.
The outcome
Over time, the patient improved her mobility and strength enough to return to more land-based movement and manage everyday tasks more comfortably. What once felt too painful to attempt became more manageable, and she was able to move through daily life with less limitation and more confidence.
Most importantly, this progress helped her maintain her independence. For older adults with chronic low back pain and arthritis, that kind of outcome matters deeply: not just reducing symptoms, but preserving the ability to live well, stay active, and continue doing the tasks that make everyday life possible.
What this case shows
This case reflects an important principle in modern physical therapy: the best treatment is not always the most aggressive starting point. For patients whose pain is too severe for traditional exercise, aquatic therapy can create the bridge that allows healing, movement, and strength-building to begin.
At Living Well, that bridge is built through individualized care. By matching treatment to the patient’s tolerance and goals, Veronica helped this South Hero patient move from pain-limited activity to greater comfort, better function, and continued independence.
Privacy Notice: All case studies are fully anonymized and represent common conditions treated at Living Well. Identifying details have been generalized to protect patient privacy while highlighting real-life improvements for patients in the greater Chittenden County area.
VERONICA PAQUETTE — PT, ATRIC, PRC
Veronica has been nationally certified by the Aquatic Therapy Rehab Institute and continues to renew her certification annually to stay updated on the latest aquatic therapy techniques. In addition to her aquatic certification, she holds a certificate from the Postural Restoration Institute, focusing on evaluating and treating postural positions and patterns with an emphasis on breathing.