What is Aquatic Rehabilitation? It is the application of physical therapy techniques in an aquatic setting.
Performing exercise in the water can be beneficial for a variety of individuals with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders. Aquatic therapy differs from land therapy due to the specific properties of water.
Properties:
- Buoyancy provides support to muscles and joints.
- Resistance uses more muscle to increase tone, strength, balance and endurance.
- Hydrostatic pressure increases circulation, reduces swelling, reduces stress and pain on joints.
- The temperature is at a therapeutic level which promotes muscle relaxation and increases circulation.
Many musculoskeletal and neurological conditions may benefit from aquatic therapy including, but not limited to:
- Orthopedic disorders
- Post-surgical cases
- Sports rehabilitation
- Impaired balance disorders
- Back pain
- Arthritis
- Chronic pain
What this benefit will mean for the patient is overall improvement in the quality of life with faster rehab, decrease in pain, protection of joints during exercises and psychological benefits.