Aquatic therapy, or hydrotherapy, is a type of physical therapy that’s performed in swimming pools or other large bodies of water. The therapeutic properties of being immersed in water combined with the skill and specialized training of a physical therapist help patients improve mobility and function. It is an excellent tool for physical therapists to help treat people who may have a difficult time exercising.
You may have heard of aquatic therapy before, but you may not have thought that it was for you. Most people recognize this form of physical therapy as an effective exercise method for people with arthritis. But there are many other conditions that it can help to address.
What are the benefits of aquatic therapy?
There are many benefits that are unique to hydrotherapy. Some of them include:
- Reducing pressure on the joints and spine during exercise.
- Strengthening muscles with water resistance.
- Decreasing inflammation and swelling due to water pressure.
- Increasing stability while doing therapeutic exercises.
- Reducing pain and increasing flexibility.
What conditions can aquatic therapy help to treat?
Aquatic therapy is an effective way to build strength, increase mobility and relieve pain for many patients. Here are four issues that can benefit greatly from this form of physical therapy:
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis — Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the joints, which can make it difficult and painful to exercise. Hydrotherapy reduces pressure on the joints, which makes them much easier to move. Joint mobilization is a common technique that physical therapists use to treat arthritis, and is a technique that can be easily performed while submerged in water.
- Lower back pain — The Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy highly recommends aquatic therapy for people suffering from lower back pain. The buoyancy of water helps to reduce the compressive load off the spine, and the warmth of the water is also helpful in relieving pain.
- Hemophilia — Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that prevents the patient’s blood from clotting properly. When patients with hemophilia are injured, it can take much longer for them to heal, and they may not be able to participate in intense exercise. Studies have shown that hydrotherapy is an effective way for patients with hemophilia to increase joint and muscle strength and improve overall function.
- Traumatic injury — If you’ve experienced a work injury, sports injury or other traumatic injury, you may find that you have limited mobility while you recover. Hydrotherapy is an effective way to speed your recovery using gentle exercise. It is also an effective way to reduce pain without the use of prescription painkillers, which can have unwanted side effects.
Where can I access aquatic physical therapy in my area?
If your condition or injury makes it difficult to get the exercise and relief that you need, we can help. Our team at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can help you create a treatment plan that includes aquatic therapy, as well as other physical therapy techniques that can help to reduce your pain.
Our convenient clinics are all equipped with the resources and the qualified physical therapy specialists to help you on your road to recovery. If you’re looking for hydrotherapy specifically, please get in touch with our Wentzville, Missouri, clinic.
Contact our team today for more information about our physical therapy methods or to schedule an initial appointment.
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