Aquatic physical therapy is physical therapy in an aquatic environment. The natural buoyancy of water creates a partial to non-weight bearing therapeutic environment that decreases stress on joint structures. The use of aquatic therapy allows patients to perform activities that they would otherwise not be able to outside of this environment. Aquatic physical therapy can improve function, pain, endurance, flexibility, relaxation, and strength. The ultimate goal of aquatic therapy is to maximize the patient's function and to progress to a land based program.