What is aquatic therapy?
Nature provides us with healing through the properties of water. It is amazing how the different bodies of aquatic bodies offer us multiple ways of regaining our health. We receive the benefits of our food and nutritional needs from great water formations. This is the reason why Aquatic Therapy is essential. When you think about the treatment, what are the activities that you think of? Apart from recreation, you are sure to have thought about physical treatment and rehabilitation. But did immersing yourself in warm water come to mind?
Aquatic Therapy
What entails aquatic therapy? How is aquatic therapy done? Does aquatic therapy work? Is pool therapy beneficial to the health and rehabilitation of a patient?
Aquatic therapy is a type of physical exercise typically held in a pool. It must be done and supervised by a trained water specialist. It can be part of occupational therapy to improve a patient’s quality of life. Physical therapists also refer to this treatment as water treatment, water therapy, or hydrotherapy. They encourage patients to perform exercise while immersed in water to take advantage of the hydrostatic pressure and alleviate pain.
An athlete or physical treatment patient is one example of individuals who often enroll in water therapy. One of the common goals of the aquatic therapist when performing aquatic exercise is to improve the flexibility, balance, and coordination of the clients, while reducing chronic pain.
Flotation Therapy
Aquatic therapy is a form of water-based alternative medicine that involves using the physical properties of water to aid in orthopedic rehabilitation and other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, weak muscles, and muscle spasm. Unlike land-based exercises, water therapy programming allows for weight-bearing activities without putting stress on the joints, making it an effective option for individuals with limited mobility.
The buoyancy of water reduces stress on the muscles and joints while increasing blood flow, resulting in improved flexibility and strength. Some aquatic therapy programs may also incorporate spa treatment, which can further enhance the healing process.
During the 1950s, there is a booming trend of floating in shallow water infused with Epsom salts. This is where flotation treatment was born. Flotation treatment is mostly done in temperature-controlled and enclosed sensory deprivation tanks.
A cold plunge is a type of treatment said to offer a mental reset. It can relieve symptoms of mild depression and increase your concentration. In this aquatic therapy, you will be asked to plunge yourself into frigid waters, preferably right after going into the sauna or bathing in a hot tub. A sudden plunge into cold aquatic activates your sympathetic nervous system. This
activates your sympathetic nervous system.
This triggers a release of neurotransmitters that make you feel good. This is why you would normally see athletes use cold water in treating inflammation. Or why they proceed in cold baths after games.
Aside from engaging in water physically, you can also watch aquatic therapy from afar. In this type of new treatment, you will be focusing on marine creatures. Whether they are in a tank, aquarium, or even on a live show,
this type of treatment can soothe your anxiety.
Based on a 2016 study, many participants’ heart rates dropped within five minutes of just watching water and fish fill a tank. Some individuals also showed a significant reduction in cortisol and blood flow pressure levels.
A Physical Treatment With Benefits
Aquatic therapy is a type of physical treatment, often as part of physical therapy, that offers unique benefits over other forms of treatment, especially for patients with injury, joint pain, or weakened muscles. The buoyancy of water provides support to the body, which can help alleviate pain and reduce the stress on joints.
Your physical therapist may suggest being in an aquatic environment to do aqua therapy for stress relief, therapeutic aquatic exercising, pool treatment, hydrostatic pressure exercises, active progressive resistance training, and other non-land-based therapeutic aquatic exercise.
People commonly feel refreshed and relaxed after each session, especially when you try the Bad Ragaz Ring method. To facilitate your mental health improvement and physical treatment, your physical therapists may also check your outlook and perspective in life. They may recommend aquatic rehabilitation if you have any previous experiences with emotional trauma or have undergone surgery.
Aquatic therapy is a therapeutic method that utilizes the properties of hot water to improve circulation, muscle strength, and functional gains, especially in injured areas. Also, aquatic therapy is often done in a group setting and combines human kinetics and the Burdenko method to maximize its therapeutic effects. Unlike dry land exercises, aquatic therapy provides a low-impact workout that alleviates the burden on the joints.
Aquatic Therapy Final Thoughts
Aquatic therapy is helpful, especially for psychological & mental disturbances. Aquatic therapy provides holistic healing. Your trained therapist can recommend this procedure should you have any problems or symptoms that are most easily alleviated when you perform an aquatic therapy program in warm water.
Aquatic Therapy FAQs
What are the disadvantages of aquatic therapy?
What does water therapy do for the body?
How do you do this water exercise?
What Is Aquatic Therapy?
Does Aqua therapy really work?
How often should you do aqua therapy?
What is the difference between hydrotherapy and aqua therapy?
What are the effects of aquatic therapy?
What is the meaning of aquatic therapy?
How long does an aquatic therapy session last?
What does aquatic therapy consist of?
What is aquatic therapy best for?
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What is the best time for water therapy?
Why do Japanese drink water in the morning?