When traditional methods aren’t getting you where you need to be after an injury or in your fight against a chronic condition, a splash into aqua therapy might be the rejuvenating plunge you need for next-level pain relief and rehabilitation.
Getting in the water is one of the most effective therapies because it allows you to work your body in ways you simply can’t on land. Unfortunately, it’s underused in the medical community.
At Coastal Ortho in Southern California, our seasoned physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons understand the far-reaching benefits of this soothing approach — and recommend aqua therapy often as part of our comprehensive treatment plans.
Whether you’re a dedicated athlete needing a speedy recovery, a senior citizen seeking joint pain relief, or a weary warrior in the battle against chronic disease, aqua therapy can help you reach your goals. Here are five reasons it might be the best path toward healing and wellness.
Aqua therapy is more than just wading in water — it’s a cardiovascular workout. The hydrostatic pressure on your body in water, combined with the challenge of buoyancy, encourages your heart to pump blood more efficiently.
In this environment, your heart rate is significantly lower than with land exercises of similar intensity, allowing for a longer workout duration before fatigue sets in. Athletes and cardio fans praise aqua therapy’s ability to maintain high levels of heart health without placing undue strain on the body’s hardest-working muscle.
Whether you’ve had a particularly challenging day or bear the weight of accumulated chronic stress, water can work wonders. Aqua therapy’s environment of buoyancy and warmth soothes tense muscles and offers a tranquil, sensory experience.
The controlled, rhythmic movements in water release endorphins, ease stress, and foster a deep sense of relaxation. It’s not just about the feel-good factor, either: Regular aqua therapy sessions can significantly reduce your stress hormone (cortisol) levels, leading to relaxation and pain reduction.
Water’s innate resistance is your aqua therapy personal trainer, helping you sculpt your body.
Underwater movements require constant engagement of the core and stabilizing muscles to maintain balance and propel you through the resistance.
This full-body workout increases muscle endurance and strength while protecting your joints from the heavy impact that can accompany land-based exercises. Essentially, aqua therapy enables you to build muscle without pushing your body past its limits.
In the nurturing environment of the pool, flexibility exercises are gentler and smoother than on land. The buoyancy offsets your body weight and reduces the stress on your joints, making movements easier and less painful.
Aqua therapy’s range of motion exercises for limbs and joints, coupled with warm water temperatures, can relax and lengthen muscles and connective tissues, improving overall flexibility and relieving joint pain, particularly for those with conditions like arthritis.
Balance is as crucial as it is challenging, especially when it comes to your physical health. For many, especially seniors, poor balance is the primary factor in falls.
Aqua therapy’s controlled instability offers a unique platform to work on balance and proprioception — or the awareness of where your body is in relation to objects around you — without the fear of falling. Water’s natural resistance forces you to develop coordinated movements and become more aware of your body positioning in a safe and forgiving medium.
Together, these factors sharpen your balance skills, promote better posture, and reduce the likelihood of falling – both in the water and on dry land.
Aqua therapy improves your heart, joints, balance, and mental well-being, so it might just be the remedy you need. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with long-term illness, seeking to improve your overall fitness, or navigating the joyous challenges of aging, consider making aqua therapy a part of your health regimen.
Call our Coastal Ortho office in Torrance, California, today to schedule an appointment with our aqua therapy specialists.