Aquatic Therapy

Water provides 3 important elements: buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and viscosity. Hydrostatic pressure can increase circulation which reduces swelling and promotes the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles for tissue healing. Buoyancy helps unload a painful joint by “lifting you up” and thus allows you to increase range of motion (ROM), flexibility and mobility. Viscosity provides resistance to allow you to work on strengthening and aerobic conditioning.

The major practical benefits of aquatic therapy are enhanced balance and stability, with reduction in pain. Exercising in water challenges your balance due to shifting of forces in different directions, while improving proprioception, which is your body’s awareness of its position in space, due to feedback from the pressure. The sensation of being immersed in heated water can help reduce stress and provide a soothing environment, reducing pain.