Americans spend more than $87 billion

During Aquatic Physical Therapy, patients perform exercises and activities in water. This can have lots of benefits for people with conditions like arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, sports injuries, and more. An easy way to understand the benefits is to imagine that you’re the patient. Jump in the pool and let’s explore the unique benefits of Aquatic PT.

When you jump into the pool, the first thing you’ll probably notice is the temperature. The heat will relax your muscles. It will also dilate your blood vessels, sending more blood and oxygen throughout your body, including your injured area.

Next, you’ll likely notice that you feel lighter. Your buoyancy in the water will reduce the impact and stress on your joints and muscles. This will likely allow you to move more easily and comfortably. Your therapist can use different depths of water to change how much force you experience. For example, when the water is up to your neck, you only bear about 10% of your body weight. This can be especially helpful for people who have difficulty walking, standing, or exercising on land due to pain, stiffness, or weakness.

A third benefit of aquatic therapy you may notice is the hydrostatic pressure. It’s less noticeable in shallow water, so you may not take note of it right away, but it’s always there. This is the force that water exerts on an object, and it increases with depth. If you’ve ever dove to the bottom of a deep pool and felt pressure on your body or in your ears, this is what caused it. The pressure of the water can help reduce swelling in your joints or tissues.

When your therapist gets you moving, you’ll feel another benefit of aquatic physical therapy – the natural resistance of the water. You’ve already felt this if you’ve ever tried to move your arm or leg quickly underwater or run in a pool. Water resistance can be adjusted by changing the speed, direction, or surface area of the movement. Equipment like hand webs, water weights, and kickboards can also be used to make movements more challenging. Resistance training can help increase your muscle strength and endurance, as well as to improve blood circulation and heart health.

Time spent in a therapeutic pool isn’t just about relaxing and feeling good. By combining compression, reduced weight bearing and built-in resistance, aquatic therapy takes advantage of the natural properties of the water to provide a therapeutic experience that land-based therapy can’t. If you are interested in Aquatic Physical Therapy, call Dedham Health Physical Therapy to schedule an evaluation today!!

In each year on low back and neck pain treatment, according to a study in the Journal of American Medical Association. A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings identified back problems as the third most prevalent non-acute condition driving participants to see a doctor.

Many episodes of back and neck pain can be alleviated with an active, standardized physical therapy regimen. Physical Therapists design programs for low back pain that involve general conditioning, flexibility exercises, lower extremity and core strengthening exercises and postural education.

Studies have shown that people who receive early physical therapy have better outcomes, lower costs, are less likely to have surgery, use opioids or have unnecessary testing. Current clinical practice guidelines for treating low back and neck pain support the use of manual therapy and exercise – two things that physical therapists are experts in.

The data shows that physical therapy is the most effective, safest, and lowest cost option to treat low back and neck pain. Stories about the opioid epidemic that the country is currently experiencing are everywhere, and the number one reason for opioids to be prescribed is back pain. The CDC has recommended against the use of opioids for back pain since 2016, and supports the use of non-drug treatments like physical therapy.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for back and neck pain so patients should work with rehab professionals, doctors and other healthcare practitioners to find the best course of treatment for them. If you are suffering from back or neck pain, call Dedham Health Physical Therapy and schedule an evaluation with our Spine Therapy experts. Let our physical therapists guide you on a path to a healthier future.