Aquatic Therapy Exercises

Fitness gurus across the globe have been on the look out for more innovative and inclusive ways to work out. And, it was probably the aforesaid thought that was the reason behind the introduction of aqua based exercises and treatments, more commonly referred to as aquatic therapy exercises.

Aquatic Therapy: Advantages
Aquatic therapy, also known as water therapy or pool therapy, basically involves physical exercises to be performed, while being partially submerged in water. Aquatic therapy is highly beneficial for people who experience difficulty with weight-bearing activities due to back pain, arthritis, recent fractures or being overweight. Patients who are plagued by obesity, also benefit from a swim in the pool, where they can burn loads of calories in an environment that reduces the pressure on their joints. Another group of patients who have benefited immensely from this therapy are those suffering from fibromyalgia. The physical properties of water are used to assist all such patients recover, while working out.

The Mechanism
Spine, knee, and hips are the most vital weight-bearing components in the human skeletal structure. A shortcoming in the functioning of any of these can vastly hamper the body's ability to perform physically strenuous activities, especially the weight-bearing ones. It is here that some amazing advantages are observed. One of the most beneficial properties of water, in this regard, is buoyancy. While the patient is partially submerged, buoyancy helps in supporting the patient's weight and reducing the stress acting on the joints. More amazingly water assists and also provides resistance while exercising, so that the patient can advance through various difficulty levels, while enhancing his/her performance. This property allows the strengthening of joints, muscles and ligaments without the use of free weights, which is not possible with a conventional workout.

In case of such exercise, the hydrostatic pressure normalizes the swelling and enhances the joint position awareness. Hydrostatic pressure exerts a force directly perpendicular to the body surface. As a result, a patient's ability to sense the location and orientation of his joints is enhanced. This is very important for patients who have experienced ligament breakdown, which leads to decreased orientation of joint position. Hydrostatic pressure also provides assistance to recover from joint and soft tissue inflammation, that is a result of injury or arthritis. Lastly, warm water therapy helps in relaxing muscle tissues and expands the blood vessels, thereby increasing the flow of blood to the ailing or affected body parts.

How It Helps
The ability of water to provide a near-weightless environment, which is conducive for aquatic therapy exercises for low back pain patients and knee or hip ailment patients. The pressure on the lower back is much reduced and improves muscle stimulation that would normally be hurting out of water.

• In a proper aquatic therapy exercise program, patients with lower back pain can start with gentle warm up exercises, like stretching and water walking, for about 5-10 mins.
• This can be followed by a series of gradually intensified stretching and water aerobics for about half an hour or more, according to the patient's rate of recovery.
• Some routines include bending one leg to a 90 degree angle and raising the knee towards the chest and holding for a couple of seconds, before repeating with the other leg.
• Simple squatting with your back to the pool wall, helps immensely in strengthening your lower back. Note: Patients recovering from a prolonged history of knee ailments or a knee replacement surgery should avoid squatting.
• Light backward and forward jogging in the pool will help in building your leg and back muscles.
• Skateboarding simulation is one of the best exercises for those recovering from knee and hip surgeries. It is performed by keeping one leg fixed and moving the other leg, while enacting the propulsion of a skateboard.
• After completion of every routine one needs to cool down. Yes, even after being submerged in water, you need to cool down. This can be achieved with more water walking, and then gradually slowing down the pace.

The Dangers
Despite the numerous benefits of aqua therapy, there are some situations where aquatic physical therapy exercises are not allowed. People with a history of heart disease, occasional seizures or those having running fever, active infections or bladder incontinence, i.e. involuntary urination or defecation, are a few of those who should not be exercising in a pool.

All said and done, aquatic therapy exercises have provided varying amount of results, though mostly positive. It is strongly advised that anyone planning to take a plunge into the pool for this purpose should consult a doctor or a certified physician before beginning the program.