Print This PageWater Therapy Exercise Program
Water therapy pain relief
Water therapy exercise programs (sometimes called pool therapy, hydrotherapy, or aquatic therapy) consist of a variety of aquatic-based treatments and exercises that are designed for back pain relief, to condition and strengthen muscles. Water therapy exercise offers many of the same benefits associated with a land-based exercise program, including development of a treatment plan that is carefully tailored to the individual. Water therapy exercise is especially helpful in cases where a land-based exercise program is not possible due to pain, decreased bone density, disability or other factors. As such, water therapy is a versatile exercise and is particularly good for people with conditions such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Advanced osteoporosis (with susceptibility to and/or pain from fracture)
- Muscle strain or tears
In addition to those conditions, water therapy is frequently recommended as one form of exercise therapy to treat those with diabetes as well as individuals with high blood pressure. Both conditions can improve and become more manageable with aquatic exercise. All of these conditions can make it uncomfortable or painful to exercise on a hard or even padded surface, or while standing. Water provides a much gentler, welcoming environment.
Benefits of water during exercise therapy
The physical properties of water make it a highly desirable medium in which to exercise to treat back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries. Some of the most important properties of water that make exercise easier are:
- Buoyancy: water counteracts gravity and helps to support the weight of the patient in a controlled fashion as the patient is immersed. This can aid the development of improved balance and strength.
- Viscosity: water provides resistance by means of gentle friction, allowing strengthening and conditioning of an injury, while reducing the risk of further injury due to loss of balance.
- Hydrostatic pressure: there are powerful effects produced by hydrostatic pressure that improve heart and lung function, making aquatic exercise a very useful way to maintain and strengthen heart and lung function. This pressure effect also aids in improving muscle blood flow.
Together, these properties allow development of an exercise regimen that minimizes the weight placed on the spine (axial load) and risk of injury due to unintended movements during exercises. For example, individuals with osteoarthritis in the neck (cervical spine) and shoulder could practice arm circles or shoulder rolls in water to improve their range of motion and strength. Because the water provides both mild resistance and support through buoyancy, the person would most likely not experience the pain caused when a tired arm drops suddenly, as it can do at the end of land-based exercises.
Moreover, the perception of pain may be diminished as a result of many factors including the relaxing sounds as well as the warmth of the water during water therapy exercise, making it a different and often very pleasurable experience. Finally, the buoyancy of water permits a greater range of positions due to the virtual elimination of gravitational forces, particularly for exercises that require lifting the legs, the heaviest limb of the body for most people. Exercises such as range of motion stretches for hip flexors and abductors are generally much easier to try out first in water because the leg is supported somewhat as the individual learns the right positioning. Buoyancy when doing water therapy exercises can be increased with the use of floats.
Limitations to consider during water therapy exercise
For many back pain patients, water-based exercises should only be performed under the guidance of a qualified health professional. Water therapy exercise should usually be avoided if a person has any of the following:
- Fever
- Severe heart failure
- Incontinence
- Infection
Individuals with severely limited endurance or range of motion may not be able to safely navigate a tiled (and slippery) pool apron to participate in a water therapy exercise program. Rubber mats are often used to increase traction to reduce this risk.
The perception of objects (like the instructor demonstrating exercises) in water is also affected by refraction, leading to difficulty in learning specific motor skills in patients with limited eyesight, or impaired sense of body position or balance due to stroke or other injury. Also, the water temperature may be too warm to accommodate some conditions. Therapy is generally conducted in pools or tanks with water that is between 90 to 94 degrees (Fahrenheit), almost as warm as bath water, so blood circulation is increased. Consequently, patients with any of the conditions listed above should avoid or limit their water therapy exercise, or make sure the pool or tank used is cooler so that their conditions are not exacerbated.
Finally, for patients with low bone density or osteoporosis, the buoyancy provided by the water may not be as beneficial for building bone as weight bearing land-based exercises although the added strength and balance achieved through an aquatic exercise program may facilitate a safe return to land-based exercise.
