Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
By Connie Vosberg COTA/L

For centuries, water has been used for recreational and therapeutic use. New technologies and treatment protocols have given aquatics a whole new importance in the fields of Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.

Occupational therapy uses aquatics and rehab techniques so a patient can regain motion at a quicker pace and to have less pain.

Water is an excellent exercise medium for a wide variety of patients. Its natural buoyancy allows freedom of movement without jarring or putting strain on the body. Its natural resistance encourages strengthening of the muscles, and its properties alleviate pain and facilitate motion. Water is excellent for treating pain and musculo-skeletal injuries.

Some of the most important properties of aquatics are:

• Buoyancy-takes the weight off joints, so patients with flexibility problems can move in ways they usually can’t do on land, and without jarring joints or falling
• Viscosity-resists movement by means of friction, allowing strengthening and conditioning of the injury, while reducing the risk of further injury to body part
• Hydrostatic pressure-pressure of water reduces swelling and inflammation of joints, making the work outs easier and less painful

All these properties together allow a therapeutic regiment that controls factors such as the weight placed on the spine and risk of injury due to unintended movements
Aquatic therapy offers effective therapy choices for patients with rehab needs or developmental disorders. Aquatic therapy aids in pain reduction, muscle strength, joint flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness along with both upper extremity and lower extremity fitness.
Aquatic therapy is beneficial to:

• Traumatic injuries
• Chronic pain
• Athletic injuries
• Bone, joint, or muscle disorders
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurological impairments
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Connective tissue diseases
• Orthopedic injuries/surgeries
• Work related injuries
• Pregnancy and post pregnancy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Stroke/CVA
• Sports injuries

Buoyancy of water decreases weight-bearing, makes stretching easier, movements less painful, allows earlier intervention to prevent surgery, after surgery or injury, works on balance and postural muscles and allows for participation. Hydrostatic pressure decreases swelling. The amount of rehab done by patient can be increased or decreased by properties of the water. Thirty minutes of aquatics is equal to one hour of land aerobics.

A person can burn this many calories doing the below activities:

Land walking=135 calories
Water walking=264 calories
Jogging on land=240 calories
Jogging in water=340 calories

This also applies to upper body exercising

Athletes with injuries can also be treated with aquatic rehab. When athletes are side lined due to injury, they not only lose physical conditioning but also mental acuteness. If an athlete is unable to compete for a long period of time, the physical loss is tremendous. An athlete’s reaction time can diminish, coordination and balance decline, muscular strength and tone decreases, cardio-respitory conditioning decreases, and agility can be diminished.

Whether it is a pitching arm that has developed shoulder impingement, a pulled hamstring, knee injury or shoulder injury, aquatics can help. There are wraps available to protect open wounds in water that allow athletes a training/rehab option the day of surgery.

Let our Therapists get you in an aquatic program that fits your needs.

For further information please contact: Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Inc. at 218-641-7725