Aquatic physical therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on treatment of injuries, rehabilitation of injuries, prevention of injuries, heath, wellness and fitness while in the water. The buoyancy of the water supports your body, and the resistance from the water enhances the therapy sessions. These sessions usually include a trained physical therapist or physical therapist assistant.
Aquatic Physical Therapy
Adding water to a physical therapy session may allow for quicker healing and increase results from therapy. The therapist may use weights or flotation devices to speed recuperation and healing. Areas of focus during a session may be breathing, manual therapies, functional training and exercises. The use of simple exercises and a heated pool have proven to be very therapeutic.
Benefits
Water offers buoyancy, viscosity and hydrostatic pressure that help to heal or increase health. Buoyancy of the water counteracts the effects of gravity and makes it much easier for people with joint pain and musculoskeletal problems to exercise with fewer side effects. Viscosity of the water offers a gentle resistance that is felt very little during the activities but does prove to be effective. Hydrostatic pressure offered by water strengthens the heart and lungs and increases blood flow. Aquatic physical therapy can also increase strength, endurance, range of motion, balance, coordination and muscle tone. It can also decrease stress and swelling.
Conditions Helped
People who suffer from neck and back pain can benefit from water therapy. Injuries that include the musculoskeletal system, such as those that occur during sporting events, may heal faster with water therapy. Arthritis, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, joint replacements, weakness and neuromuscular disorders can all be helped with aquatic physical therapy interventions. Those who are obese, have diabetes and high blood pressure have benefited from the exercise that is done during aquatic therapy.
Precautions
Aquatic physical therapy should be avoided by those with a fever, severe heart failure, incontinence or infections. Those who have vision problems should be careful, as well as those with balance problems. People who have been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis should only use water aerobics when they are utilizing another type of weight-bearing activity at other times throughout the week. These bone-thinning conditions can get worse if the only activity participated in is performed in the water.
References
- Aquatic Physical Therapy Section, American Physical Therapy Association: About Aquatic Physical Therapy -- General FAQs
- Bethesda Memorial Hospital; Aquatic Physical Therapy
- Spine-Health; Water Therapy Exercise Program; Andrew J. Cole, MD and Bruce E. Becker, MD, MS; February 2010
- Spine-Health; Water Exercise Therapy Limitations and Considerations; Andrew J. Cole, MD and Bruce E. Becker, MD, MS; February 2010
