Aquatic Therapy Water, a soothing component for everyday living, makes us feel better in many ways ­ a warm bath, a refreshing swim, a cool drink. No wonder, so many healthcare professionals are turning to water as an option for treatment. The pool is being proved for its value as the setting for more and more medical procedures, including rehabilitating patients with orthopedic injuries and chronic pain. For many years, physical therapists have seen the benefits of aquatic physical therapy. As well as treating patients with orthopedic injuries and chronic pain, aquatic physical therapy is also an effective treatment for post-surgical patients, neurological patients, post-partum patients and athlete rehabilitation. Rehabilitative aquatics uses the natural physical properties of water to treat patients.

Why Water Works

Water has numerous characteristics that make it conducive to meeting treatment goals. Hydrostatic pressure is the equal pressure on all body parts that are immersed in water; this trait often helps to reduce swelling when exercises are performed below the surface of the water.

When a person enters the water the hydrostatic pressure that is applied to all body surfaces creates an upward force known as buoyancy. Buoyancy decreases the forces on body tissues and allows exercise with decreased pain and improved mobility. It is remarkable to see how quickly patients improve when they begin aquatic physical therapy.

Another characteristic of water that makes it beneficial for treatment is resistance. Water is u to 700 times more resistive than air. This resistance provides weak muscles with needed strength training. The natural properties of water allow patients to improve quicker in water than they would on land.

Benefits of Aquatic Physical Therapy

Overall, water has potential to promote quicker healing for patients. Aquatic physical therapy improves:

• Range of motion
• Muscular strength
• Cardiovascular endurance
• Balance
• Coordination
• General relaxation
• Joint flexibility
• Circulation

Aquatic physical therapy is a safe, non-threatening way to treat patients.

In addition to the other benefits of aquatic physical therapy, professionals are finding that patients involved in aquatic physical therapy actually feel better about themselves. The water environment empowers patients to accomplish goals and see results. The pool atmosphere allows therapists and their patients to relax while working together toward treatment goals.

It is encouraging to see many patients decide to incorporate water exercise into their daily routine once treatment is complete. The difference between aquatic physical therapy and water aerobics is that aquatic physical therapy is conducted under the supervision of a physical therapist with the goal of rehabilitation or health maintenance. Water aerobics is an excellent form of water exercise.

Aquatic physical therapy has become a valuable treatment component for many patients. And new benefits of the treatment are emerging all the time.