Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy where mobility and strength exercises, functional tasks, and aerobic conditioning are performed in water, either in a swimming pool or specialized therapy pool.
Water’s unique properties, such as buoyancy, surface tension, hydrostatic pressure, which is the force exerted by the water on your body, and viscosity, which refers to the thickness of the water, provides resistance to movement, make it an ideal medium for therapeutic interventions. Individuals with chronic pain, musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, and athletes looking to boost performance and recovery can use water for resistance instead of gravity or weights.
Let’s explore how aquatic therapy works, its benefits, and the therapeutic exercises performed during aquatic therapy sessions.
How Does Aquatic Therapy Work to Aid Rehabilitation?
When immersed in water, the body experiences an upward buoyant force that works against gravity. Buoyancy relieves pressure on the joints, bones, and muscles that would otherwise bear the body’s weight when standing, sitting, or lying down. The near-weightless environment allows for pain-free mobility exercises thanks to reduced joint compression and all-around muscle relaxation.
At the same time, water exerts hydrostatic pressure on every submerged part of the body from all directions. Together with water’s fluid drag, hydrostatic pressure creates gentle three-dimensional resistance, which facilitates strength and mobility exercises in all six axes of movement.
Additionally, an aquatic therapy pool is kept warmer than your typical swimming pool. The water temperature in a therapy pool ranges between 90 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer water aids muscle relaxation, blood circulation, joint flexibility, and pain management.
What Are the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy?
Aquatic therapy presents several benefits to individuals suffering from chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues resulting from physical injuries, neurological disorders, and diseases such as arthritis. These benefits include:
- Pain relief
When submerged to the neck, the water lowers your apparent body weight by as much as 90%. This reduces pressure on weight-bearing muscles, joints, and tendons. Offloading and warm water help relieve pain even when exercising.
- Increased range of motion and strength
The near-weightless environment and surrounding hydrostatic pressure allow for joint movements that would otherwise be too painful or downright impossible when using weights or gravity for resistance.
- Improved balance and coordination
A therapy pool is an excellent environment for learning or regaining posture, balance, and motor coordination. In water, your body is supported in all directions, and there’s no fall risk.
- Reduced inflammation
During aquatic therapy, water exerts mild pressure on joints and muscles, improving circulation and reducing inflammation, particularly swelling.
Studies show that aquatic therapy indeed relieves pain, improves range of motion, strengthens joints and muscles, and boosts patients’ quality of life.
What Types of Exercises Are Used in Aquatic Therapy?
Aquatic therapy incorporates a range of physical exercises geared toward flexibility, balance, strength, posture, and general wellness. Such exercises include:
Aquatic Gait Training
Water walking is an excellent example of aquatic gait training. By simply walking across the therapy pool, patients can regain the correct walking patterns, speed, and movement without worrying about overloading the back, ankles, hips, or knees.
Balancing and Stability Exercises
Stability and balance training is much easier in a therapy pool. Standing on one leg, matching, side stepping, tandem walking, and heel raises in the water help strengthen, stabilize, and balance the core.
Resistance Exercises
Resistive exercises are designed to improve range of motion and strengthen joints, muscles, or tendons. Water in a pool is naturally resistive to movement, although kickboards, noodles, and floating weights may be used to increase the resistance. Arm raises, pushups, knee lifts, and arm curls are common examples of mobility and strength aquatic exercises.
Experience the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy with JAG Physical Therapy
JAG PT offers professional aquatic therapy sessions tailored to each patient’s needs and rehabilitation goals. Our aquatic therapy is a gentle form of physical therapy that can relieve pain and inflammation and help patients regain proper gait, mobility, balance, and strength.
Start Your Aquatic Therapy Today
Are you struggling with chronic pain or musculoskeletal issues resulting from injury or disease? JAG PT’s aquatic therapy might be the remedy you need. Request an appointment in any of our clinics to learn more about aquatic therapy.