Hydrotherapy, aka aquatic therapy, means using water as a method for treatment. This therapy has a range of applications, for example you may be fully submerged or just a body part is, the water temperature may warm or cold, or the water may be whirled or left undisturbed.
The purpose for using hydrotherapy varies depending on your treatment goals, for instance water can be used as a rehabilitative physical therapy, assist in healing an injury or an alternative environment for fitness maintenance when an impairment causes physical limitations during weight bearing activities. A couple common structures for which aquatic therapy is performed in include your own bathtub, a whirlpool or swimming pool.
Some of the benefits for using hydrotherapy include:
- pain relief
- prevent injury
- muscle relaxation
- improve circulation
- reduce inflammation
- relieve muscle spasms
- strengthen weak muscles
- increased range of motion
- improve or prolong mobility
Water temperature does make a difference post injury. In warm water, vasodilation increases delivery of nutrients and waste removal for healing tissue. In cold water, vasoconstriction slows circulation for preventing inflammation of injured tissue.
Another benefit of water is buoyancy. Buoyancy decreases gravitational pull, thus allowing for less stress being placed on impaired weight bearing joints. So movements that are otherwise painful on land can be more comfortably performed in water.
Aquatic therapy can offer an incredible benefit in the treatment of a variety of health conditions, like:
- back pain
- skin wounds
- muscle weakness
- bone injury ~ break, fracture
- paralysis ~ post polio syndrome
- soft tissue injury ~ sprains, strains
- post stroke, head injury rehabilitation
- post surgery ~ knee replacement, hip replacement, ACL reconstruction
- arthritis, rheumatic diseases ~ osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia
- neurological, neuromusclular disorders ~ muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons
However, there are some health conditions for which hydrotherapy is not advisable, such as:
If in doubt, then check it out with you health care provider before diving into water therapy.