What is aquatic therapy?
Hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy is the treatment of the body through the use of water. Within the water is one of the most advisable means in the recovery and treatment of a large number of injuries and musculoskeletal pathologies.
Working in the pool with the patient allows you to reduce the weight of your body, facilitating their mobility and, with it, the possibility of performing exercises that out of the water could not be done. This favors their body and notably in their mood, something essential to achieve their recovery or improve their quality of life.
"Aquatic therapy takes advantage of the properties of water as a resource to improve people's health"
In short, aquatic therapy is responsible for the treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of health problems, well-being and physical fitness of the patient in an aquatic environment. Its use is effective for people of all ages, with special needs due to chronic diseases or rehabilitation for injuries.
One of the most common problems in facilities are architectural barriers. One of the adaptations that may be required in the case of hydrotherapy is the use of a pool hoist or lift to allow users to access the water.
Comfortable and safe access is essential for people with reduced mobility to fully enjoy aquatic therapies. A variety of pool lifts and equipment options are available on the market, including electric and hydraulic models, which should be selected according to the specific needs of each user. In addition, whenever possible, it is important to promote autonomous access solutions that allow patients to enter and exit on their own. This not only facilitates their participation in therapy, but also contributes significantly to strengthening their independence and self-esteem.
What benefits does aquatic therapy offer?
Interventions through aquatic therapies offer to maintain and even improve our body functions and mechanics. Movement, balance, coordination, agility, strength and power or aerobic capacity that are easily worked within the water, greatly favor the activation of the body and stabilize the postural position of it.
The benefits of these water therapies are many; We highlight from among them some of the numerous benefits:
- It promotes joint mobility as it reduces the impact of movements on the joints.
- It helps to improve breathing and promotes blood circulation.
- It produces a relaxing effect on both the patient's body and mind.
- It decreases the chances of muscle contractures.
- It helps improve the immune system.
- It allows to increase muscle strength and power
- It facilitates the movements and allows to achieve greater elasticity in them.
Aquatic therapy has proven to be able to reduce the time in rehabilitation of patients and improves the quality of life of many patients with locomotor pathologies. Its effects are positive for all people and for all ages: children, adults and the elderly.
Some pathologies affecting the locomotor system stand out where aquatic therapies can offer greater benefits or results:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
- Muscle atrophies
- Diseases with impaired balance and coordination
- Mechanical pathologies
- Vascular pathologies
- Multiple sclerosis
Consult your physical therapist or physician to learn more about hydrotherapies and their benefits performed at pools or centers near you.
