3 Things You Should Know About Aquatic Therapy
After an injury, illness, or surgical procedure, it's common for doctors to recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy can help the patient improve the mobility and strength of the affected areas while simultaneously preventing future injuries from occurring.
One type of physical therapy is known as aquatic therapy. Aquatic therapy takes place in the water, typically in a swimming pool heated to a warm temperature. You may complete your exercises using only the body, or you might utilize water equipment, like weights or a treadmill. Here's what you need to know about aquatic therapy.
1. Aquatic Therapy Is an Excellent Alternative for Patients With Limited Mobility
Some patients have such poor mobility that it makes conventional physical therapy extremely difficult. They may not have the strength or balance to complete the movements or finish a session. Moving physical therapy to the water lends support to the body so that the patient can focus on completing the required exercises.
Aquatic therapy can be extremely useful for patients affected by the following conditions:
- Morbid obesity
- Widespread nerve damage
- Stroke
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Arthritis
- Muscular dystrophy
Once the patient regains some of their strength and mobility, they will graduate to land-based sessions.
2. Water-Based Therapy Can Help Prevent New Injuries or Re-injury From Occurring
The goal of physical therapy is to rehabilitate the patient without causing further damage. Some patients are at a high risk of re-injuring themselves or suffering new injuries during their therapy sessions.
For example, a patient with muscular dystrophy who breaks their leg has to be extremely careful not to fall or land wrong on their leg when completing their physical therapy exercises. Since the buoyancy of the water helps support the body, it makes it highly unlikely that the patient will incur any additional injury if they fall or lose their balance.
Individuals with severe morbid obesity may fear falling and becoming bed-bound; water therapy can give them the confidence they need to overcome this fear and complete their therapy sessions.
3. It's Not Necessary for Patients to Know How to Swim
A common misconception about aquatic therapy is that you have to know how to swim; this is not the case. These sessions are for performing controlled movements and exercises, not learning or improving swim skills.
Aquatic therapy sessions take place in water depths where the patient can comfortably stand. Unless your doctor wants you to incorporate swimming exercises as a part of your physical therapy, swimming will not be a part of your aqua therapy sessions.
