Physio or physical therapy performed while submerged in water helps in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases that reduce mobility. Aqua therapy can also be used in rehabilitation after surgery once your incisions have healed. Because of the supportive properties of water, you will find it easier and less stressful on your muscles and joints when you perform exercises and stretches.
Properties of Water
As a medium, water helps make even painful physical therapy less so. According to physical therapist Debbie Grusd, a Canadian Aquafitness Leaders Alliance aqua aerobics instructor, water is 1,000 times denser than air, which makes it highly resistant. Working injured muscles in water is a good way to ensure that each movement provides balanced resistance in all directions. This property helps support the movements of your muscles. Because water is a good thermal conductor, it acts to cool your muscles and joints during therapy which can reduce swelling. Finally, water turbulence can easily be created to make therapy more or less challenging based on your needs.
Buoyancy
When you are submerged in water, it decreases the effects of gravity on your body. Because of this phenomenon, the weight-bearing stress on your muscles, joints and bones is reduced. The buoyancy you experience in water allows you to move and exercise with less strain. It also helps your veins return blood to your heart, which improves your cardiovascular function. Working in water can result in a lower heart rate during exercise. This is helpful if you are participating in therapy after surgery or injury. Buoyancy also helps you achieve greater range of motion while stretching an injured limb.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure, or the pressure water exerts, is enough to decrease swelling in your arms and legs and improve your venous return, according to Grusd. Less swelling results in less pain during physical therapy, which allows you to stretch farther and perform exercises you might not be able to in the gym. It is useful to treat arthritis, fibromyalgia and other conditions that damage joints, muscles and bones. Your physician and therapist will determine which types of exercise and stretches are best to meet your needs.
Aqua Therapy
The experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend beginning with water walking. If you are working with a physical or aquatic therapist for a specific problem, check with them before trying any new exercises or stretches. Water walking is a simple stretching of your arms accompanied by long walking type strides. To increase resistance during water exercises or stretches, use weighted hand web gloves. If you are unable to swim, wear a flotation belt while in the pool to ensure your safety.
