POOL THERAPY

Pool therapy or water therapy consists of therapeutic exercise done in a pool setting. Exercising in water assists in strengthening and conditioning, the water being means of resistance with less impact on the body. It is  a low-impact option for exercise, which can also help to reduce the risk of reoccurring injury and chronic pain.

Pool therapy is especially helpful in cases where a land-based exercise is not accessible due to the pain, disability, mobility issues, and other conditions.  Pool therapy is a versatile form of exercise particularly good for conditions such as:

• Myofascial Injury

• Osteoarthritis

• Advanced Osteoporosis

• Diabetic Neuropathy

In such conditions, pain and associated symptoms can be exacerbated with exercise on a hard surface, or while standing and/or weight-bearing. Water-based exercise provides a much gentler, welcoming environment, and can be incredibly relaxing.

The physical properties of water make it a highly desirable exercise option to treat musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain. The key properties of water-based exercise include:

• Buoyancy: Water counteracts gravity and helps to support the weight of the patient in a controlled fashion as the patient is immersed. This can aid the development of improved balance and strength. The buoyancy of water also permits a greater range of positions due to the virtual elimination of gravitational forces, particularly for exercises that require lifting the legs, the heaviest limb of the body for most people.

• Viscosity: Water provides resistance by means of gentle friction, allowing strengthening and conditioning of an injury, while reducing the risk of further injury due to loss of balance.

• Hydrostatic Pressure: There are powerful effects produced by hydrostatic pressure that improve heart and lung function, making aquatic exercise a very useful way to maintain and strengthen heart and lung function.

Together, these properties allow development of an exercise regimen that minimizes axial load, the weight placed on the spine, and risk of injury due to unintended movements during exercises. Also of importance, the perception of pain may be diminished as a result of many factors associated with water therapy, such as the relaxing sounds as well as the warmth of the water, making it a different and often a pleasurable experience.