Information on Aquatic Therapy Tips

Aquatic Therapy Uses

Water therapy tips:
There are potentially endless uses for aquatic therapy. Some of the more standard applications include:

• Asthma
• Broken bones
• Bursitis
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Chronic pain of muscles/joints
• Diabetes
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Joint replacement
• Osteoarthritis
• Post-polio therapy
• Spinal injuries Stress reduction
• Weight management

Consider taking advantage of aquatic therapy routines to overcome any of these obstacles.

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The Wet Workout

Gym, schmym! For most, a gym is a source for aerobic workout and physical therapy—though the gym can also be a sore spot at times:

• There can be lines for the machines
• There can be a limited selection of machines
• People don't always clean the equipment after using it
• You can never get aerobics classes at a time that's right for you
• Annual fees

In all of these cases your pool can be the answer to your problems. Don't look to the gym for exercise—look to your pool for aquatic physical therapy instead. You can use a floating belt for water therapy exercises (like jogging in place or stretching). Your pool can provide a great workout!

*For the right workout you need to have enough room to tread water without scraping your feet on the bottom. 5 to 6 feet is optimal.

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Free Pain In The Pool

Pools can help you relax, get a workout, and even have fun. A growing number of people are also using pools to ease pain. Today, instead of going to a gym, physical therapy patients use the pool for aqua therapy. The advantages are that you can still get the same workout as you would in the gym but, because you are in the pool, you are putting less pressure on your joints.

You can pretty much use any pool for aqua physical therapy. For optimal pools results, however, the pool should be 92 degrees (perfect to ease the pain of conditions like arthritis). Also, because most of the exercises are not too strenuous (as compared to cardio) the pool area should only be about 2 1/2ft to 4 1/2ft deep. Usually, for aqua therapy sessions, you would need to go to a rehab pool at a clinic or hospital. However, today companies like Endless Pools actually make versions of these pools you can use in your very own home.

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Stress Reduction

Aquatic Therapy provides a relaxing method of rehabilitation and exercise. Regular land-based exercise is already a good method of reducing personal stress and tension, but aquatic therapy is much more effective in terms of stress reduction.

*Water exercises tend to be a lot more tolerable to people who ordinarily have trouble with weight-bearing exercises on land. Exercising in the water is effective, but less stressful for the body.

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Hydro-Help

Stress can really do a number on our lives. There are a host of daily, stressful culprits, including:

• Commuting
• Work
• Errands
• Carpools

Ring any bells? Theses are the tension-filled times of the day that we feel not only in our mind, but our body as well. The funny part is most people don't know how tense they really are until they get help. One of the best ways to ooze stress out of our bodies is a thorough massage. Unfortunately, most health insurance policies don't cover at home masseuse visits. Though, if you own a pool or spa, help can come in the form of -- hydro-therapy.

More information on aquatic therapy: Hydrotherapy is the use of powerful water jets to help relieve aching muscles or a sore back. Also, since the jets can be altered by speed and size of the stream it can offer all kinds of relief. However, before you do hydrotherapy in your swimming pool or spa, check with a physical therapist first. They can tell you the best places to aim the jets on your body. Also, what temperature (hot or cold) the water should be when using it on your aches and pains.

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Aquatic Therapy vs. Aquatic Exercise

Aquatic Therapy is different from aquatic exercise in a few distinct ways. Aquatic Therapy focuses on rehabilitative techniques and making sure your body heals properly (from either injury, illness or surgery) Aquatic exercise, on the other hand, is performed while in good health, and focuses on endurance, strength, weight loss and recreation.

Both aquatic exercise and aquatic therapy serve different functions so be sure that you are using the right one to suit your personal needs (they are not interchangeable). You should also consult a doctor before using either of these programs—water resistance is not for everyone.

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Early Rehabilitation

Don't wait to get healthy! If you are in need of physical therapy or rehab, aquatic therapy allows you to begin a routine much earlier than non-aquatic methods. Due to the buoyancy, controlled temperatures, and low impact properties, aquatic therapy can be taken advantage of earlier than normal therapy.

*If you are looking for the quickest route to health, this is a good option because you can start right away!

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Belts For Both Sexes

Some helpful information on aquatic therapy starts with choosing belts. We are not unisex creatures that wear silver jumpsuits; we are a collection of different male and female body types. Aside from bowling shoes, pretty much all clothing and apparel manufacturers recognize this fact. Even when it comes to aquatic therapy items like buoyancy belts (aka: flotation belts).

Buoyancy belts are devices that keep you stable during aquatic therapy exercises. Women's belts are generally narrower than those of men. And, men usually need a bit more belt to help them stay afloat. Manufacturers of these belts also produce belts based on other characteristics like children's sizes or for women who are pregnant.

*Before you grab a belt be sure it's right for you!

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Webbed Resistance

Ever try running really fast in a pool? Next to impossible, right? That's because water is causing the resistance, which essentially is the idea behind aquatic therapy (using resistance to work the muscle).

Not everyone is built the same. So some people will have an easier time with movement during swimming pool exercises than others. If it becomes too easy, people can actually wear water gloves or water shoes that add resistance. This is either done by adding surface area (creating webbed gloves) or by adding weights to the shoes.

*Make sure you check with a professional to find out if extra resistance is what you need or can handle. The benefits of aquatic therapy are many, but not you need to cater your therapy to your needs.

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Therapy in a Counter-Current Pool

Water weight is good! Aquatic therapy is always advantageous, but adding a counter-current pool to your routine has a synergistic effect. The current that flows against you increases the resistance even further. Increased resistance can allow for certain rehabilitations to proceed much quicker, with much more efficiency.

*Some medical conditions can be aggravated by aquatic therapy so be sure you consult a doctor before starting this program.

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