At
Chesapeake PT, we have your health in mind, thus we are
happy to share some of our expertise and knowledge with
you, as well as provide tips on preventive care and healthy
living.
Note: Individual
Injury Guides are available for download below or you
can download all Injury Guides as one PDF file here
The Benefits
of Aquatic Therapy
By Jared Goldstein MPT
Chesapeake Physical and Aquatic Therapy
301-498-2212
 Aquatic
therapy can be an integral part of the recovery process
during physical therapy. It has been shown to provide relief
of symptoms for a variety of arthritic and musculoskeletal
injuries. These may include patients with chronic pain,
joint replacements, fibromyalagia, back pain or general
orthopedic injury. Many physicians agree that aquatic therapy
is one of the best forms of therapy for patients suffering
from these problems. Exercise performed in warm water is
relatively stress free because the buoyancy from the water
may reduce body weight by 90%. Water decreases the stress
and impact that is placed upon the joints in the body.
By having a patient perform
therapeutic exercise in the warm water they can improve
range of motion, strength, balance, and overall function
while reducing the amount of pain a he or she may endure.
Aquatic therapy may be used as an early intervention to
regain motion and function, as well as in later stages
of the rehabilitation process to further challenge a high
level patient.
 Aquatic therapy
will allow a person to put weight on an injured leg much
quicker. By putting the patient in the pool and removing
the majority of the body weight (due to the buoyancy) the
patient will be able to regain normal walking mechanics
much earlier in the rehabilitation process. This will lead
to a quicker recovery from the injury and a faster return
to function, work and/or sport. Without the use of aquatic
therapy this same patient may not regain normal walking
mechanics for a few weeks, and may develop some poor compensatory
mechanics when walking.
Physical therapists that
use aquatic therapy are not only knowledgeable about how
the body works, but understand the benefits and proper
exercises which should be conducted during aquatic therapy.
An aquatic therapy program in warm water can lead to better
circulation, motion, strength and overall conditioning
in ones body.
Download PDF Injury Guides
 Knee
Shoulder
Neck
Back
Ankle
Fibromyalgia
Carpal
Tunnel
Miscellaneous
Modalities
|
