For many people dealing with chronic pain, recent injuries, or mobility challenges, traditional land-based physical therapy exercises, movements, and stretching can feel overwhelming or even counterproductive. The severity of pain and stiffness, a fear of falling, or the intensity of certain types of exercises can create barriers to recovery. This is where aquatic therapy can have a unique advantage.
Aquatic therapy, sometimes called water therapy or hydrotherapy, uses water to facilitate healing and rehabilitation. The buoyancy, resistance, and warmth of water create an ideal environment for treating various musculoskeletal disorders that you might typically see a physical therapist for—from sports injuries to arthritis and chronic pain conditions.
Benefits of aquatic physical therapy
Doing therapy exercises in the water has several advantages that make it particularly effective for rehabilitation and pain management.
Low-impact exercise environment
Perhaps the most significant benefit of aquatic therapy is that it is low-impact. When you’re submerged in water up to your chest, your body experiences approximately 75% less gravitational force. This dramatic reduction in impact stress allows people to move and exercise without the gravitational pressure on the joints when standing.
This low-impact environment is especially beneficial for individuals aiming to improve their range of motion and mobility with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other systemic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.
Natural weight reduction
The buoyant forces of water therapy reduce the impact on joints while also reducing the weight-bearing stress on joints in the lower limbs. This weight reduction is particularly valuable for patients who struggle with mobility or pain due to lower extremity injuries, obesity or other mobility limiting conditions, back pain, or conditions affecting balance and stability.
Some facilities may have the ability to gradually introduce weight bearing back to the treated area as the patient moves from deeper to shallower water, for example.
Gentle resistance training
Water provides natural, multi-directional resistance that increases with the speed and force of movement. This unique property allows for strength training that’s both challenging and safe. Unlike traditional weights that provide resistance in only the direction of gravity, water resistance works in all planes of movement, promoting functional strength development.
Aquatic therapy facilities like Advent’s East Kentwood Aquatic Center also incorporate special floatation or water weight accessories to expand the resistance and intensity of certain exercises as needed.
Types of aquatic therapy exercises
Aquatic therapy treatment plans are customized based on the depth of water available and the specific needs of each patient. Some facilities utilize shallow water that allows patients to stand comfortably, while others offer deeper pools for more advanced floating exercises.
Floating (deep water) exercises
Deep water aquatic therapy involves exercises performed in water deep enough that patients cannot touch the bottom. Flotation devices like aqua belts or noodles provide support while allowing for a full range of motion exercises.
Deep water exercises are excellent for cardiovascular conditioning, core strengthening, and full-body workouts with very little joint stress.
Common deep water exercises include water jogging, leg raises, arm circles, and various stretching routines. The constant need to maintain balance in deeper water also provides an excellent workout for core muscles and improves overall stability.
Shallow water exercises
Shallow water therapy takes place in water typically ranging from waist to chest deep, allowing patients to maintain contact with the pool bottom for stability and security. This approach is often preferred for patients who may feel anxious about deeper water or those who cannot swim.
Shallow water exercises can include water walking or jogging, side steps, and various strengthening movements using the pool walls or special equipment for support.
These exercises often incorporate functional movements that directly translate to daily activities, helping patients regain the strength and mobility needed for walking, climbing stairs, or returning to work and recreational activities.
When is aquatic therapy recommended?
At Advent Physical Therapy, we prescribe aquatic therapy in specific circumstances when it’s necessary for a person’s best treatment outcomes. That said, if you are interested in utilizing aquatic therapy for your specific concerns, you can always ask your physical therapist about your options for doing so.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and back pain can often benefit from water-based therapy. The warmth of therapeutic pools (typically kept between 92-96°F) helps relax muscles and reduce pain, while the buoyancy allows for movement that might be too painful out of the water.
Neurological disorders
People with certain neurological conditions can also benefit significantly from aquatic therapy. The sensory experience of being submerged combined with the underlying work to maintain balance can help improve proprioception and motor control in patients with conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.
Fall prevention and balance
Balance and mobility issues, particularly in older adults, make aquatic therapy an excellent choice. The risk of falling is eliminated in water, allowing patients to work on balance and coordination exercises they might avoid on land. This can lead to improved confidence and better functional outcomes.
Sports injury rehabilitation
Athletes recovering from sports injuries often find that aquatic therapy allows them to maintain fitness levels while injured tissues heal. The ability to perform sport-specific movements without impact stress can be crucial for maintaining conditioning and facilitating a faster return to competition.
Aquatic therapy near me in Grand Rapids
Although it doesn’t guarantee results, our aquatic therapy facility enhances our patients’ opportunities to heal quickly and fully with a treatment modality that not every physical therapy practice has. To learn more about your options to try aquatic therapy in Kentwood, call the number at the top of this page or submit an appointment request form online today.