Getting regular exercise is essential to maintaining good health. For people with health problems, however, exercising on land is often difficult and painful. If you have a physical limitation, water therapy may be an effective alternative to land-based exercises. Exercising in water can provide you with many unique benefits that are not available on land.
Ease of Movement
Some of the unique qualities that are associated with water help make movement easier. Buoyancy is the quality that makes your body feel light when in water. Hydrostatic pressure is the sense of pressure that you feel when your body is surrounded by water. These forces act to support your weight, making it easier to move parts of your body that would be more uncomfortable to move on land. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, this allows you to exercise without straining or injuring any muscles or bones.
Health Benefits
Engaging in water therapy can significantly improve your physical condition. The resistance that water provides can help strengthen and tone your muscles, maximize your range of motion and increase your flexibility. Post-Polio Health International explains that being immersed in water encourages your blood to flow from your legs to your heart. This can help increase circulation, improve endurance and maximize cardiovascular function. Water therapy can also help relieve pain. The sensation of water against your skin helps block pain signals by saturating your peripheral nerves.
Relaxation
Water therapy is an excellent source of relaxation. The movement of water around your body generates varying levels of pressure, producing a massage effect. This helps relax and sooth your sore, tense muscles. The invigorating yet relaxing effects of water therapy can also improve your mental and emotional well-being. According to the Arthritis Foundation, water therapy can help enhance your mood and ease feelings of stress and depression.
Versatility
Water therapy is a versatile activity that you can tailor to fit your unique physical condition. You may benefit from activities like water aerobics and water tai chi if you can handle more vigorous movements. Activities like leg lifts and in-place marching may be more suitable if you have any physical limitations. For added resistance or support, you can include the use of equipment like foam dumbbells, noodles, flotation devices or foot fins.
Precautions
Be sure to take the same precautions while exercising in water that you would while exercising on land. Warming up beforehand helps loosen your muscles and slowly increase your breathing and heart rates. Preparing your body for activity in advance helps reduce the risk of muscle injury. Cooling down is equally important. Cool-down activities slowly ease your body back to a state of rest. This can help keep you from becoming sore later on.
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