Denton County Living Well Magazine Fall 2015 | Page 48

Why Aquatic Therapy
Works Swimmingly

R

ecovering from an injury,
dealing with joint issues
or even beginning an exercise regimen is tough
at any age. As we grow
older, muscles tend to shrink and
body fat increases, often escalating the risk of both injury and recovery time. So what’s the solution to keeping our bodies fit and
healthy as we age and acquire
injuries? Enter: the pool. Aquatic
therapies, also known as water
workouts, are a great source of
exercise for the heart and lungs. This
type of treatment expands beyond
swimming laps and can increase flexibility and range of motion while toning
and strengthening nearly every muscle
group in the body.
The types of patients that benefit from
aquatic therapy are endless. Performing
exercises in water can aid in increasing
the speed of recovery, while also improving a patient’s functional abilities on land.
The properties of the water provide an effective and safe environment for performing therapeutic exercise. Aquatic therapy
also allows individuals the opportunity to
exercise when their tolerance of traditional exercise may be limited and is ideal
for aerobic training, gait analysis, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic back pain
and lumbar stabilization, foot, ankle or
knee pain and short-term therapy.
Aquatic exercises are one of the best activities you can add to a workout routine,
no matter your current fitness level. Water’s buoyancy decreases the effects of
gravity, thereby removing excess weight
off of joints. Taking advantage of this
scientific perk can provide virtually any
level of exercise intensity while reducing
the risk of injury.
We all know that it is far easier to stay
committed to an exercise program that
is not painful; therefore, aquatic exercise
becomes increasingly attractive as we
age. Water exercises are a great option
for those with arthritis and other joint is-

46

By Fran Wade,
Physical Therapy Assistant
strengthening of injured tissue, increased flexibility, improved cardiovascular stamina, improved
circulation and increased resistance for stretching and therapeutic exercises. With the reduction
on weight-bearing joints, water
therapy can be easier and less
painful for