Apollonian Center ...water as a means of medical rehabilitation

We will present a project that deviates from the usual idea we have about swimming pools, which are usually about fun and entertainment, and we will see how water can be used as a tool for the medical rehabilitation of orthopedic dysfunctions.
The swimming pools that we will see are located in the Apollonia rehabilitation and recovery center, a model center that was built in Larissa with the aim of serving not only the Thessalian plain but also the deficiencies in similar places that exist in Athens and Thessaloniki. The Apollonia center with a capacity of 70 beds and more is a new reality in the field of orthopedic trauma rehabilitation in Greece and its overall presentation is the subject of architectural and other industry magazines.
The part that is of immediate interest to us is the one that has to do with the location of water and its use for recovery from various orthopedic injuries. In the ideally designed space in the basement of the building there are two different rooms in which physiotherapists can work comfortably with their patients. (photo 055)
Let's start from the first in the area where the recovery pool is located.

Apollonia center

Here we will see the following:

1) Hydraulic seat

It is necessary for the entry and exit from the water of people with mobility impairment. The patient approaches the chair with the help of a wheelchair and the support staff. He sits in the chair and with the use of a simple hydraulic system the chair rotates and enters the water where anyone can now easily swim or float to the treatment they want to do. Exiting the water is done in the same way. (photo 051)

2) Hydromassage systems

There are 3 different hydromassage systems which are activated with the simple push of a switch. Each one consists of 4 turbojets that shoot water at the feet and the middle of the body depending on where the patient wants to focus his treatment.
(photo 029)

3) Aerotherapy

In a specially designed spot, the patient can do air therapy on the soles of his feet, which has excellent results. Don't forget that all the nerves in our body end up in the feet, so strong air pressure in specific places causes revitalization of the damaged parts of the body.

4) Neck therapy

There are 2 stainless waterfalls which have different jets so you can massage your neck in different places and with different pressure. Aesthetically, their perfect finish together with all the stainless steel in the space give a strangely beautiful feeling to the space.

5) Reverse swimming

There is a built-in contra-swimming device where one can swim against the current. It is the equivalent of a treadmill in a gym. Its strength is such that it does not allow the swimmer to reach the end of the pool and thus he can swim while remaining essentially in the same place. It is a strength machine that allows us to swim for miles without getting dizzy from going back and forth.
In the adjacent area, the physiotherapist concentrates on physiotherapy. There are two separate elements in space. One is the physiotherapy corridor in which there are multiple Jets on each step that shoot water at a high pressure thus creating conditions of tension for the patient who tries to walk on the corridor against all this pressure resulting in strengthening his muscles with the most painless way.

The other is next to this corridor where there is a counterpart without water from which the physiotherapist has constant contact with the patient without having to get wet himself.

The two aforementioned areas are made of anti-slip tiles and provide all the comfort required for several patients to be engaged in the activities provided by the Apollonia treatment and rehabilitation center.
Finally, let us point out that the spaces are ventilated, heated and dehumidified with the latest technology machines so that the spaces always have a pleasant atmosphere.
The water quality is permanently controlled by automatic electronic pH and chlorine regulation units and also the water heating it is made of plate-shaped titanium exchangers, the best for fast hot water with minimal future maintenance.

We want to believe that this project will be the guide for the creation of other similar centers in the Greek region which needs them so much.

Study Implementation of the project Tziatzios Christos – Alexis Krallis
Filters from Fiberpool were used in the project
Pumps from Hydroswim
Alternators from PSA
Baths from Praher