Where Movement Meets Buoyancy Aquatic Therapy Brings Relief to Those Who Need It Most
Chronic pain can be debilitating. After months of dealing with pain and discomfort, it starts to feel like there’s no relief available. Traditional physical therapy or massages may provide temporary aid, but before long, the lingering pain returns. It doesn’t matter whether a prior injury, arthritis, or an unknown cause spurred it on. Once you start to experience the long-term symptoms of chronic pain, such as fatigue or mental health decline, you become even more desperate for help, but where can you turn when all of the usual solutions come up short? The answer you’ve been looking for may require you to get a little wet! Aquatic therapy is a growing trend in the physical therapy world, and it’s proven to be incredibly beneficial for those facing chronic pain that won’t fade. Exercise is a great way to improve your overall health and get relief from persistent conditions. Still, those facing intense, chronic pain may not have the capability or capacity to head to the local gym for a quick workout. Aquatic therapy reduces these challenges thanks to water’s natural buoyancy. You don’t have to worry about extreme pressure on your joints, which allows you to complete strength and stretching exercises that wouldn’t be possible on dry land.
Exercising in the water offers additional benefits you may not be aware of. Performing simple movements in the water will strengthen your muscles to a greater level because they have to work harder against the water’s density and resistance. That strength helps ease the pain of chronic conditions. Furthermore, spending time in water will make you feel better mentally. It can be relaxing and elevate your mood, even when you’re pushing your body to its limits. But aquatic therapy isn’t as simple as hopping in your local pool and swimming laps. Ideally, you’ll work with a physical therapist who directs each exercise and ensures you maintain the proper form to get the most out of your effort. Just like regular physical therapy, you get a program tailored to your needs. Every action you take in the water can ease specific symptoms and help you achieve your short-term and long-term goals. There will likely be adjustments as the process progresses, but hopefully, you will feel relief quickly. If you aren’t a strong swimmer or don’t know how to swim at all, you can still participate in aquatic therapy. Most aquatic therapy exercises take place in water that is waist or chest-deep. Specific exercises depend on the location and level of pain, but some of the most common include water walking, leg raises, and water cycling. After learning how beneficial aquatic therapy can be for those struggling with chronic pain, you may be wondering if it’s right for you. While certain variables and factors matter, most people medically diagnosed with specific conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, muscle spasm, and peripheral neuropathy may see improvements in managing their pain. And in some cases, aquatic therapy can benefit those recovering from a traumatic brain injury or stroke. Check with your doctor or physical therapist to see if aquatic therapy may be the solution you’ve been looking for. At times, chronic pain can make you feel limited in your own life and keep you from enjoying your favorite hobbies or even spending time with loved ones during flare-ups. Aquatic therapy isn’t a magical solution that will render you pain-free, but it may provide some real relief.
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