HUBBARD, Ohio – For people dealing with chronic pain, mobility issues or recovery from an injury, aquatic therapy can make rehabilitation easier by reducing stress on the body while improving strength and movement.
Those benefits are now available to more patients in Hubbard with the opening of Complete Physical Therapy & Aquatics. The practice celebrated the new location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning, unveiling a dedicated therapy pool and outpatient rehabilitation space designed to serve a wider range of patients.
The facility gives Complete Physical Therapy its own aquatic therapy pool, allowing staff to control water temperatures and create a more private treatment setting. It also enables them to accommodate patients with specialized needs, including children and individuals at risk of falls.
It also enables patients to transition between aquatic and traditional outpatient therapy under one roof.
“We’ve been able to add more pediatric care here because now we have a better facility to accommodate those needs,” said Dawnelle Jewell, owner and doctor of physical therapy. “We’ve also been able to help patients who are a larger fall risk because the facility is much safer.”
Jewell said the new location represents a major milestone for the growing practice.
“I wanted to create a space where patients really matter and receive that one-on-one direct care,” she said. “I wanted to be able to build on that and expand in that direction.”
Jewell, who has worked as a physical therapist for more than a decade, has experience in pediatric care, neurology, geriatrics, sports rehabilitation and military return-to-duty programs. She launched Complete Physical Therapy with the goal of offering a broader range of treatment options while maintaining a personalized approach to care.
The practice specializes in treating a variety of conditions, including post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injuries, balance disorders, chronic pain, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke recovery.
Aquatic therapy has become a key component of that care because it provides an alternative for patients who may struggle with traditional exercise programs.
“When people are in pain, the last thing they want to do is exercise,” Jewell said. “The aquatic environment really gives us a place to start.”
Before opening the Hubbard facility, the company relied on contracted pool locations. Jewell said the company invested between $35,000 and $40,000 in the facility.
Complete Physical Therapy employs five therapists and a receptionist and is seeking additional therapists as demand continues to grow.
The practice also operates a location in Sharon, Pa.
“We’ve had a great response from the community and a great response from local physicians,” she said. “It’s been really helpful seeing that the goals are getting met for our patients.”
Jewell said she believes the facility fills a need in the local health care landscape by providing access to aquatic physical therapy services that previously were not available nearby.
“So many places, you have to travel far to get something that has a little bit extra,” she said. “This gives people another option locally.”
Pictured at top: Dawnelle Jewell, owner of Complete Physical Therapy & Aquatics.