Aquatic therapy is a specialized form of therapy that uses water resistance and buoyancy for rehabilitation. Performing pool-based exercise helps improve flexibility, improved balance and coordination, normalization of muscle tone, protect joints during exercise, and reduces stress to injured tissues. Aquatic therapy is ideal for patients whose injuries require less than full weight-bearing activity due to arthritis, recent fractures, or recent surgical repair.
Physicians often recommend or prescribe aquatic therapy specifically for:
- Low back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Injuries requiring less than full weight bearing
- Joint pain from sports or repetitive activities
- Orthopedic and running injuries such as stress fractures
- Post-surgical rehabilitation
- Muscle weakness due to chronic or acute injury or illness
Best of all, aquatic therapy is safe for patients who don’t know how to swim or are afraid of the water.
Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
- Improves joint motion and flexibility
- Improves balance and stability
- Decreases the compressive load on arthritic joints
- Water provides resistance for strength training
- Warm water and buoyancy decreases pain sensitivity, relaxes muscles and increases circulation
- Allows weight-bearing, walking, and strengthening exercises sooner than on land
