Physical rehabilitation after an operation can be difficult at the best of times, and one major reason for this is that your body weight can work against you. Movements that are the most natural thing in the world can become burdensome due to post-surgical pain, weakness, or limited range of movement. Fortunately, nature and physics offer a simple solution: we feel less weighty when we are in water. This is the main principle behind aquatic therapy, which is a major modality used in post-surgical PT.
At JAG Physical Therapy, we’re the leading providers of post-operative PT care in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and many of our clinics offer a robust aquatic therapy program delivered by our skilled and passionate professionals. Book your appointment with us today or read further to learn more about how aquatic therapy helps people recover after getting surgery.
What is Aquatic Therapy and How Does It Work?
Aquatic therapy generally refers to physical therapy methods where the patient is partially submerged in water. In this setting, patients can typically perform more types of exercises and movements, and they can also undergo more physical exertion at a time without pain or exhaustion. This leads to better outcomes in healing, and it’s all possible thanks to the physical properties of water.
Of course, water is buoyant – when you step in a pool, you begin to float, which counteracts the effect gravity has on you. This makes all types of movement less strenuous as there is less weight on the joints. Moreover, still water is gently resistant. These properties together tend to increase the effectiveness of PT exercises without increasing the feeling of “impact” or stress on the joints and muscles. And a swimming pool can easily be temperature controlled, meaning patients can undergo therapy in either warmer or cooler water, as dictated by their condition.
What Are the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy for Post-Surgical Rehabilitation?
Aquatic therapy is a great method to use for post-operative PT because it’s effective at tackling some of the most pressing issues that people have after they undergo surgery – namely mobility, circulation, and stress on joints.
By performing therapeutic exercises underwater, post-surgical patients can ease into movements they would otherwise find difficult or impossible to do on land, allowing for gradual but still accelerated return to normal everyday mobility. Some studies suggest that blood flow to muscles increases by up to 225% when immersed in water, thanks to water pressure, which helps to speed healing and avoid complications caused by low circulation. Finally, the cushioning and flotation that water provides means the body has greater freedom of movement, particularly joints that have been replaced or reconstructed.
What Types of Post-Surgical Conditions Can Aquatic Therapy Treat?
Aquatic therapy may be recommended to you if you’re recovering from any number of different types of musculoskeletal surgery. For example, if you have had a knee replacement, your physical therapist may guide you in doing diverse types of leg exercise – leg swings, bicycle kicks, knee extensions, and others – in order to improve your flexibility and strength using motions you would not be able to perform on solid ground.
Meanwhile, if you have undergone spinal surgery, your aquatic therapy may consist of a suite of upper and lower body exercises, such as squats, dumbbell flys, shoulder extensions and rotations, and step-ups, to restore your normal body control and gait and reduce pain. And if your operation was for soft-tissue repair, such as on particular tendons or muscles, your post-surgical aquatic therapy will focus on that specific muscle group and particularly improving circulation to the area to hasten tissue repair.
How to Get Started with Aquatic Therapy at JAG Physical Therapy
If you’re a good candidate for aquatic therapy, the team at your local JAG Physical Therapy clinic will work with you to incorporate this method into your customized PT program. We’ll inform you about exactly what types of equipment and exercises you can expect to be using while in the pool for aquatic therapy, and we’ll give you periodic assessments in order to track your progress toward your healing goals.
Schedule Your Aquatic Therapy Session at JAG Physical Therapy
Aquatic therapy has countless benefits for patients recovering from a recent surgery, but it’s only safe and effective when delivered by certified PT professionals you can trust. At JAG PT, we are your friendly local physical therapy providers with years of specialized experience, and that makes us your best source for aquatic therapy and all other PT methods you need to get back to a pain-free life. Contact us now with any questions or click here to schedule an appointment for an aquatic therapy consultation.