What is Aquatic Therapy?
Aquatic Therapy or hydro therapy describes therapeutic interventions performed in water.
How does aquatic therapy work?
Water play numerous roles on the road to healing. By applying the principals and dynamics of water, physical therapists devise effective exercises where the water does most of the work. The buoyancy of water - floating - assists healing either by aiding a person's actions or adding resistance to one's movements. Resistance in water is 790 times greater than that provided by air. Depending on how resistance is used, a person exerts more or less energy in water than if the same action is performed on land.
Who receives aquatic therapy?
Aquatic therapy is used to treat a variety of symptoms including:
- Low and high muscle tone
- Postural weakness
- Balance and coordination issues
- Weight bearing activities without joint pain
Water-based rehab is especially good for conditions requiring joint protection such as arthritis, osteoporosis and joint repair / replacement surgery. Neurological conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson's and others respond favorably to hydro therapy.
Benefits of aquatic therapy:
- Muscle relaxation with the assistance of water
- Better mobility, coordination, flexibility and balance than on land
- Increased weight bearing in a protected environment
- Greater muscle tone and strength through water resistance
- Improved cardiovascular endurance
- Early intervention after surgery or injury
- Smooth transition to land-based therapies