What is Aquatic Therapy used for?

The physical therapy that takes place in water gets called aquatic therapy. It can happen in a pool or any other water environment. A trained healthcare professional helps you to do some personalized exercises. Aquatic therapy has other names such as;

Aquatic rehabilitation
Water therapy
Aqua therapy
Pool therapy
Hydrotherapy
Therapeutic aquatic exercise

Aquatic therapy is appropriate for people of all ages, from children to adults and particularly seniors. The medical background or level of fitness doesn’t matter. Water is hugely comforting for the body and help it improve;

Flexibility
Strength
Range of motion

People prefer aquatic therapy as it can reduce the number of rehabilitation time frames.

Aquatic therapy, aquatic exercise, and adaptive aquatics are the same?

The answer is no. Aquatic exercise is completely different from Aquatic therapy.

Aquatic therapy is a type of physical medicine. A trained professional must supervise you and some insurances cover it. It’s due to the personalized nature of the treatment. However, there is no need for professional supervision under aquatic exercise, and the insurance doesn’t cover it. People in groups perform aquatic exercise, and the physical fitness level is different.

What are the benefits of Aquatics Therapy?

Some of the major benefits of aquatic therapy are as follows;

Enhancing joint flexibility

Water decreases the gravity effect and improves the range of motion in joints. As a result, the injured or affected part of the body will float in water; they will suffer less pain and move easier.

The warm water has the feature to relax sore or tight muscles.

Reducing the pressure of weight on joints is particularly helpful for people with arthritis. It also helps to heal fractured bones and helps those or who are overweight. As a result, they can do the exercise better and more effectively.

Improve muscle strength

Did you know that water is about 600 to 700 times more resistive than air? It allows weak muscles to attain strength without too much pressure. Water holds out against the rapid movement, so the muscles strength increases in water.

Reduce pain

Being in water improves blood supply to the sore muscles and increases relaxation. Aquatic therapy helps additional comfort by weight relief to the weakened body structures. It will help patients with a wide and different range of conditions to heal better.

Increase balance

Floating in water with pressure helps your body to boost your balance without the fear of getting hurt or falling. You can work on your balance thousands of times. Practice makes perfect. The therapist provides you feedback and adjusts your moves like the “Deliberate Practice” Anders Ericsson explains in his book “The Peak”.

Relaxation of muscles

The warmth of the water helps the relaxation of muscles. It also improves vasodilates in vessels. As a result, your body can send blood to the injured areas better, and blood flow gets improved. The effects are particularly helpful for people suffering from:

Back pain
Muscle spasms
Fibromyalgia

Increasing self-confidence

As explained, patients can float in water without fear of falling. It will boost their confidence to carry out the exercise, which will improve their morale. It’s a great source of natural encouragement to get them going.

Who benefits from aquatic therapy?

Aquatics Therapy is particularly helpful for patients suffering from the following conditions;

Joint reconstruction therapy
Joint replacement therapy
Parkinson’s disease
Orthopaedic injuries
Osteoarthritis
Traumatic Brain Injury
Tendonitis
Stroke recovery
Sprains and strains
Bursitis
Cerebral palsy
Spinal cord injury
Stress
Scoliosis
Multiple sclerosis
Low back pain
Chronic pain
Depression
Balance disorders
Autism
Arthritis
Car accident injuries
Sports injury
Muscle spasms
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Circulation problems
Neurological injury
Heart disease
People suffering from balance problems due to muscle weakness

The following groups can also use the benefits of aquatic therapy:

People who need to land or jump but are unable to hold high-impact activities.
Groups of patients who are recovering from a surgery
People are unable or not allowed to bear full weight but must work on body movement
Athletes who need to work harder than the normal sport practises in a controlled environment.

Who should not perform aquatic therapy؟

Aquatics therapy might not be appropriate for everyone. Although the process takes place in shallow pools, it might not be risk-free. The decision is different for people with various health conditions. People who suffer from cardiac disease should avoid aquatic therapy. The groups who suffer from the following health conditions would better avoid it:

Infections
Open wounds or infections
High fever
Incontinence (bowel or bladder)
Cardiac disease
Functional mobility
Unmanageable seizure disorders
The pregnant woman having complications
Aquaphobia
Hepatitis A
Allergies
Taking alter cognition medication

If you suffer from the above conditions, always consult with your doctor before taking part in aquatic therapy. It’s always wise to get advice from your family doctor.

Swimming

Can you swim? If not, you would better avoid aquatic therapy in swimming pools. If you are going to do so, your Physical Therapist (PT) must know that you can’t swim. He/she must assist, take good care of you and be aware of your situation.

If your health condition is causing functional mobility limitations, aquatic therapy helps you to recover fully. It will help you to go back to baseline mobility and regain your normal activity level.

What types of equipment are used?

The type of equipment used in aquatic therapy is different and up to different factors. The therapist picks the right one depending on the clients’ conditions, level of training, and how he/she can perform the techniques. Some of the equipment that may include:

Kickboards
Pool noodles
Ankle weights
Wrist weights
Water dumbbells
Water steps
Floatation devices
Hand paddles
Therabands

What can you expect during an aquatic therapy session?

You will complete the aquatic therapy sessions in a swimming pool and need to wear a swimsuit. There is no need for other equipment. If so, the PT will inform you. The type of training and techniques is up to the client’s health condition and the goals.

The therapist will work with the client and understand his/her limitations and abilities. Then, the session and training will be adjusted to the patient’s abilities until the goals are achieved.

What is the recommended frequency for aquatic therapy?

The therapist will recommend the required sessions per week by your conditions. He/she won’t force you to take extra sessions that might hurt your health conditions. You might begin with one or two sessions a week, depending on PT’s opinion.

The frequency is also up to your schedule. You should be able to take part in the sessions and continue your training to get the results.

Aquatic therapy in Las Vegas

There are many benefits to aquatic therapy, and people suffering from various health conditions can heal faster. However, a few groups with health conditions such as high fever, hepatitis, etc., would better avoid it. The article explained all you need to know.

If you need aquatic therapy in Las Vegas, Health and Care professional Network is here to help. We have provided the best in-home care services to the residents since 1994. Aquatic therapy is also among our services.

What is Aquatic Therapy used for?