Physical therapy (PT) can be beneficial for a variety of people; especially anyone with a painful medical condition or disability. There are many different forms of physical therapy and all can yield tremendous results. Aquatic physical therapy is just one such example.
If you’re thinking about trying aquatic physical therapy for yourself but you’re not sure what it involves, take a look at everything you need to know.
What is Aquatic Physical Therapy?
Aquatic therapy is an exercise regime that is performed in water. The physical properties of water can aid the body in exercising in ways that would be far more difficult out of the water. This additional help for meeting exercise goals can promote self-healing.
What Are the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy?
There are tons of aquatic physical therapy benefits to be gained. The most notable benefit is the buoyancy the water offers. This buoyancy can help the body feel weightless and therefore take pressure off joints as the patient moves through the water.
People with conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia can hugely benefit from this buoyancy during exercise. It can also help anyone overweight to gain the exercise they need without the continual feeling of strain throughout an exercise session.
Using water as a tool during exercise is also a great way to build muscle strength. Water-based therapy provides a source of resistance that allows patients to push against it and strengthen the whole body.
Water exercise also decreases swelling which allows joint injuries to heal faster. Warm water will also relax muscles, reducing common pains like back pain, neck pain, and muscle spasms.
Am I a Candidate for Aquatic Therapy?
If you’ve been injured or have a medical condition that causes pain or makes it difficult to lose weight, your doctor may recommend aquatic therapy. Discuss it with your medical professional for more advice. Some people should avoid aquatic therapy.
For instance, if you have cardiac disease, aquatic therapy should not be performed. Similarly, if you have a fever or infection, you should also avoid this type of therapy. Anyone with bladder or bowel incontinence is also advised to find a different form of therapy.
Aquatic physical therapy is also known to help children and adults on the Autism Spectrum. It can help to improve behavior, support learning milestones, and improve their overall quality of life. The feeling of weightlessness in the water can provide a sensory experience that changes the way they approach tasks.
Aquatic Physical Therapy – How to Get Started
At Gina V Physical Therapy, we can sign you up with a physical therapist who will design a treatment plan for you. Our aquatic physical therapy offers a positive experience and realistic results for every patient. We have a team of highly trained and friendly staff, ready to help you achieve your health and fitness goals.
Why not take a browse through our website at the services we offer and contact us to make an appointment?
