St. Jude Medical Center – Aquatic Therapy

St. Jude Medical Center, part of the Providence health system, is home to one of Orange County’s most distinguished aquatic therapy programs. Located within the St. Jude Centers for Rehabilitation and Wellness in Fullerton, California, the program features three state-of-the-art therapy pools and stands as the only hospital in Orange County to offer on-site aquatic therapy to outpatients. The program has earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report and reflects the hospital’s longstanding commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered rehabilitation.

The aquatic therapy program utilizes three pools — two warm water pools maintained at 91 degrees and one cool water pool held at 80 degrees — to address a wide range of orthopedic, neurological, and chronic pain conditions. Pool depth ranges from 3½ to 4½ feet, and lifts are available at all pools to ensure accessibility for patients with limited mobility. Individual dressing rooms, lockers, and showers are provided. A swim current system is also available for patients recovering from swimming-related injuries who require evaluation of their swim mechanics. Physical therapists provide both one-on-one and small group sessions, tailoring each program to the patient’s specific diagnosis and functional goals.

Conditions treated include arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, post-surgical orthopedic recovery including spine surgery, athletic injuries, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Aquatic therapy at St. Jude is typically used as an intermediate step in the rehabilitation continuum, allowing patients to gain strength and mobility in a supportive aquatic environment before transitioning to traditional land-based therapy. A physician referral and physical therapist evaluation are required prior to beginning the program.