Struggling with joint pains and aches can become a struggle and may even disrupt your daily lifestyle. For most suffering from joint pain causes, exercise may be the last thing on your list. However, there may be a solution for you: Aqua Therapy.
What exactly is Aqua Therapy?
Aqua Therapy is a therapeutic form of exercise that is water-based. This form of workout is meant for fitness, relaxation, rehabilitation, and health benefits. Aqua therapy refers to use of water for therapeutic purposes. Water therapy is ideal for joint pain causes as it can be done in water by standing or floating in a pool.
How does it work?
Exercises that can be performed in water are easily adaptable to the resistance of buoyancy. As submersion helps decrease your body weight by 90%, the individual is more able to support their own body weight than on land.
Benefits of Aqua Therapy
There are many benefits to Aqua Therapy. This unique physical form of exercise helps assist in healing and exercising in water. The benefit of being submerged underwater is the equal pressure that is applied everywhere in the body. Patients who take part in aqua therapy can expect the following benefits:
1. Improve Balance
The pressure of water provides enough support for your body as it allows you to have more time to reach without any risks of getting hurt or falling.
2. Increase in Muscle Strength
As water is 600 times more resistive than air, it helps in improving the strength of weakened muscles. The water will resist any rapid movement. When you increase equipment in the surfaced area, it will also increase strength in the pool. Aqua therapy is also great for resistance toning exercises as the water makes muscles work harder. When your body works harder, the heart with also work hard to provide enough blood to the muscles which will result in cardiovascular fitness.
3. Increase in Joint Flexibility
The major advantage of the buoyancy that is provided by water is that it reduces the effects of gravity and allows more range in motion of the joints. In water, your body will shed 90% of your body weight, making you become light as a result. This will allow you to move in various ways that you can’t on land. You can walk, float and job without feeling exertion. This is ideal for those with weak joints or limbs.
4. Decrease in Pain
Warm temperatures of water will instantly increase a person’s comfort by promoting relaxation and blood supply to sore muscles.
5. Stress-free Environment
As the water is both refreshing and cool, it is the perfect setting for a stress-free environment. Aqua therapy can even help you burn up to 1200 calories in just one session.
What makes Aqua therapy ideal for medical conditions?
This is a great option for cases where land-based exercises can become difficult or impossible due to disability or pain. Aqua therapy is highly advisable for patients with musculoskeletal or orthopedic disorders. Additionally, it is also recommended for people with high blood pressure and diabetes as these conditions can be improved and better managed.
Is it beneficial for people with joint pain?
Water therapy is one of the most effective and comfortable ways that a person suffering from joint pain can be treated. When your body is immersed in water, your weight will decrease and ultimately put less strain on joints. It also helps for post-surgery recovery or as a way of maintenance along with joint pain relief supplements.
What are the common exercises that can be done during Aqua Therapy?
While some are easy, other forms of exercise are quite heavy-duty. There is walking, kickboxing, joggling Tabata, yoga, Pilates, aerobics, tai chi, circuit training, and boot camp work out exercises. Each program is made specific for the individual as the requirement depends on the patient.
Are there any limitations of Aqua Therapy?
While there are limitations, those with medical history of urinary tract infections, skin infections, seizure disorders like epilepsy, and open wounds should not practice aqua therapy.
With an aquatic therapist, you will be able to customize and train your body with aqua therapy at your own pace. This practice should be done under the right supervision of a quality aquatic therapist. Be sure to discuss any problems with your doctor before following the exercise. Always start with low range water exercises.
References:
http://community.healthywomen.org/profiles/blogs/2-minutes-stretching-will-give-you-relief-from-knee-pain
http://clapway.com/2016/02/02/6-tips-relieve-arthritis-hand-pain/