The recent rise in water physical therapy (also commonly referred to as aquatic therapy, pool therapy, and water-based physical rehabilitation) has to do with a variety of contributing factors. Whether it’s a personal desire to benefit from the multiple advantages of water physical therapy or a professional physical therapist recommending to try pool therapy exercises to help rehabilitate an injury, aquatic therapy can be used for a diverse variety of reasons.
Keep reading to find out the purpose of aquatic physical therapy, who hydrotherapy is generally intended for, and how pool therapy exercises can prompt a speedy, less painful recovery in physical rehabilitation programs. Or contact our physical therapy center in Boca Raton to request an appointment with an aquatic therapist soon.
Purpose Of Water Physical Therapy
The purpose of aquatic therapy is to achieve sustainable results for injuries that require physical rehabilitation more efficiently and less painfully. Though water-based physical rehabilitation isn’t the only reason people seek out an aquatic therapist, it is most commonly associated with physical therapy programs due to its continued success.
Patients involved in a water-based physical rehabilitation or aquatic therapy program are likely doing so to attain similar results. The common goals that aquatic therapy programs successfully accomplish include the following:
- Better balance, coordination, and dexterity
- Enhanced muscular flexibility
- Strengthened muscles and improved endurance
- Faster overall recovery times
Conditions Hydrotherapy Is Intended For
Below is a general list of the typical ailments and conditions able to benefit from water-based physical rehabilitation programs:
- Acute Spinal Cord Injuries
- Arthritis
- Arthroscopic Surgery Recovery
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic Pain
- Conditions That Affect Balance
- Deconditioning
- Joint Reconstructive / Replacement Surgery Recovery
- Muscle Spasms
- Orthopedic & Post-Surgical Recovery
- Osteoarthritis
- Traumatic Brain Injuries / Stroke Recovery
Benefits Of Pool Therapy Exercises
The benefits of water-based physical rehabilitation programs all center on the effects that being submerged in water has on the body. The beneficial attributes of hydrotherapy include:
Hydrostatic Water Pressure: The density of water acts as a full-body compression bandage that aids in balance and reduces the fear of falling.
Improved Muscle Memory: The brain is more capable of remembering difficult motions due to slower, full-range muscle movement.
Less Physical Sensations: The body’s reticular system becomes dulled due to the increased pressure, reducing painful sensations when moving an injured muscle.
Better Blood Circulation: Water pressure contributes to better blood circulation and the increased blood flow carries more oxygen-rich blood to promote faster muscle recovery.
Easily Accessible: Hydrotherapy pools (such as the HydroWorx®) make getting in and out of the therapeutic pool setting easier and provide an aquatic therapist with more options to achieve full-range muscle movements.
There are still many more advantages to using pool therapy exercises found in water-based physical rehabilitation programs. To learn more or to request an appointment with the premier aquatic physical therapist in Boca Raton, contact Premier Therapy Solutions.
