Contributions by: Danielle Debulgado, Aquatic Therapist
Have you been told its time to start physical therapy but don’t feel ready? If so, then a lesser-publicized option, known as aquatic therapy, also known as hydrotherapy or water therapy, may be right for you. Aquatic therapy is steadily becoming a highly endorsed secondary option for a range of injury cases. This includes post-surgical patients to athletes to MS patients – as well as a number of other ailments and injuries such as:
- Back and lower extremity ailments
- Fibromyalgia
- Extremity injuries
- Gait and balance deficits
- People dealing with weight-bearing restrictions
- Arthritis
- Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain
- Total hip/knee/joint replacements
Hydrotherapy provides a treatment option for patients who may not be ready to take on traditional land-based therapy due to physical limitations and/or pain. The water provides an environment for patients to begin their recovery process sooner with this low-impact, high-return therapy.
ATI offers hydrotherapy at a handful of locations throughout the country. If hydrotherapy sounds like something you might be interested in, you are in luck. One of our aquatic therapy specialists, Danielle Debulgado, from our Aurora, Ill., clinic is here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this lesser-known therapy option.
Get Your Free Physical Therapy Screening
Learn how hydrotherapy can help alleviate your pain. Get a free screening and let us help you start the path to recovery today.
GET MY COMPLIMENTARY SCREENING
What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy uses the natural buoyancy of water to the patient’s advantage. The water reduces stress on the patient’s body, allowing them to complete exercises with less pain. It is an excellent, but often overlooked, option for patients who may have difficulties completing exercises in a traditional therapy setting.
What are the benefits of aquatic physical therapy?
Hydrotherapy offers a range of advantages that are different from traditional land-based therapies. A quick overview of these benefits include:
- Less restricted movement
- Decreased joint stress
- Preventive deconditioning
- Reduced swelling
- Accelerated recovery time
- Act as a segue to land-based therapy
The buoyancy property of the water tremendously helps decrease the degree of weight-bearing. When we say ‘weight-bearing’, we are referring to the ability of the body to resist or support weight. For example, in chest-high water, the body is roughly 35% weight-bearing. This means the body feels 65%-less weight than it would on land.
Due to the decreased weight-bearing conditions of the aquatic environment, aquatic therapy allows patients to move with less restriction and less stress on their body. Take for instance a patient with severe Osteoarthritis. This person may not be able to walk the stairs in their home. But because their body weight decreases in the water, they may be able to perform step-ups in an aquatic environment and activate the muscles needed to improve their ability to eventually navigate stairs in their home.
How does aquatic therapy compare to traditional therapies?
As in traditional land-based therapy, patients can expect their therapist to take them through a variety of stretches and/or exercises that are relevant to their injury or condition. These exercises will be determined by the physical therapist after an initial assessment. Where the added benefit comes in is that hydrotherapy allows for patients to begin treatment sooner than they may be able to on land.
As a result, even individuals experiencing high pain levels, low tolerance or severe restrictions can begin treatment. These patients are then able to avoid deconditioning, reduce pain, gain strength, and increase range of motion in the water before transitioning to more traditional therapy options.
Are there any drawbacks to water therapy?
Like most water activities, there are potential risks to conducting therapy around and in a pool. Slipping, skin irritations/infections, and drowning are among the most obvious. However, with proper caution and while under proper supervision, these risks can be minimized.
Further, while the water allows us to perform exercises with ease, given the lessened weight-bearing conditions, your body is still working and pushing. Doing too much, too fast can cause extreme muscle fatigue resulting in soreness. Adding to that, outside of the pool, your body is back experiencing full weight-bearing conditions. As a result, you’ll need to engage in transitional recovery training to avoid negatively impacting your joints, muscles and bones.
How long will a standard aquatic therapy session last?
An aquatic therapy session can typically last anywhere from 25-75 minutes. The timeframe is determined by the patient’s pain tolerance and current ability level.
How long will a standard aquatic therapy session last?
Depending on a patient’s tolerance, an aquatic therapy session can typically last anywhere from 25-75 minutes.
Is aquatic therapy right for you?
While aquatic therapy can benefit just about anyone, we find that it is a favorable alternative therapy for individuals who are unable to tolerate traditional land-based exercises. It can also be beneficial for patients diagnosed with a variety and wide range of conditions.
With any recovery effort, ultimately, the goal is to see results without the stress. Given the layers of physical and mental benefits afforded through aquatic therapy, it’s no surprise why more clinicians and patients are getting behind this treatment option. To find out if aquatic therapy can help you, contact your nearest ATI Physical Therapy clinic today.