Aquatic Therapy in Rehabilitation

Introduction:

Hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy is any activity done in the water to aid in recovery and rehabilitation from a severe accident or strenuous training. It is a standard treatment for individuals with musculoskeletal and neurological disorders and involves exercising in warm water. The objectives of this therapy are

• Pain relief.

• Improved joint motion.

• Muscle relaxation.

This treatment has been practiced for ages.

In a rehabilitation center, hydrotherapy is frequently used by physiotherapists. This type of activity is frequently met with excellent client satisfaction and adherence rates. The social environment of the sessions frequently enhances the therapeutic effects. Infection prevention and control must be closely monitored.

How Is Aquatic Therapy for Rehabilitation Performed?

Each session of water treatment that aims to advance physical fitness is divided into three parts:

• Warm-up: Warm-up exercises for the client's upper and lower extremities first use light resistance. Stretches and extensions are frequently included, then a short session of walking or jogging on an underwater treadmill.

• Strength Training: After the warm-up, the client will frequently engage in cardiovascular exercises like running, sprint intervals, or multiplanar exercises. Plyometric exercises are included in the list of strength-training exercises.

• Core Training: The client performs 20 to 30 minutes of squats, leg swings, arm swings, shoulder presses, and other core-training activities after fitness and strength training.

• Cool Down: A deep tissue massage that prevents lactic acid buildup can be obtained using a therapy pool equipped with resistance jets and a massage hose.

What Techniques Are Practiced in Aquatic Therapy?

The following are some aquatic therapeutic techniques:

• Ai Chi: Based on aspects of qigong and Tai chi chuan, Ai Chi, created in 1993 by Jun Konno, employs breathing techniques such as diaphragm breathing and active gradual resistance workouts in water to calm and strengthen the body.

• Aqua Running: It is a type of cardiovascular conditioning that involves running or jogging in water. It benefits injured athletes and those looking for a low-impact aerobic workout. Aqua running is done in deep water while wearing a floating device to keep the head above water.

• Bad Ragaz Ring Method (BRRM): This involves patterns of therapist-assisted exercise carried out while the patient rests horizontally in water with support from rings or floats around the neck, arms, pelvis, and knees, concentrating on the rehabilitation of neuromuscular function.

• Burdenko Technique: The Burdenko method is an integrated land-water therapy strategy that builds balance, coordination, flexibility, endurance, speed, and strength utilizing the same techniques as professional athletes. The buoyant equipment used in the water-based therapy challenges the center of buoyancy in vertical postures while exercising at various speeds ranging from slow to fast.

What Ailments Respond Well to Aquatic Therapy?

Patients with the following disorders may find water therapy beneficial:

• Arthritis (the expansion and discomfort of one or more joints).

• Healing from arthroscopic surgery.

• Bursitis (bursa sac pain or inflammation).

• Cerebral palsy.

• Long-lasting pain.

• Depression.

• Symptomless joint pain.

• Recovery from joint reconstruction surgery.

• Recovery from joint replacement surgery.

• A lower back ache.

• Osteoarthritis (cartilage and underlying bone deterioration, usually prevalent after middle age).

• Orthopedic wounds.

• Multiple sclerosis (a persistent neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system).

• Scoliosis (inappropriate lateral spine curvature).

• Stress.

• Spinal cord damage.

• A sprain or a strain.

• Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon).

• Traumatic brain injury

Senior individuals and people of all ages, including those with special needs, can benefit from water therapy. To facilitate a fruitful therapy experience, a skilled physical therapist can design a session that considers any age-related physical restrictions.

What Are the Benefits of Rehabilitation Aquatic Therapy?

The benefits of aquatic therapy are as follows:

• Aquatic Treatment Reduces the Risk of Falls: Some people who struggle with stability and balance may not be ideal candidates for physical Treatment on the ground. However, water therapy lowers the chance of falls and fall-related injuries, enabling individuals to exercise and recover safely in a supervised setting.

• Aids in Coordination and Balance: Patients receiving aquatic therapy have better balance and coordination, lowering their chance of falling outside the pool. Water slows motion and prevents falls, providing patients time to right themselves if they fall or lose their equilibrium. According to studies on the advantages of hydrotherapy, as elderly patients recover and improve their balance, they become less afraid of falling and more self-assured when engaging in physical activity.

• Lowers Stress on Bones and Joints: When the patient is submerged in water up to the neck, their body weight is reduced by over 90 %. This buoyancy lessens the strain on the muscles, bones, and joints that support weight. This is the best option for anyone whose musculoskeletal disorder or injury would make landing on a hard surface risky or uncomfortable.

• Increases Muscle Power and Endurance: The same activity requires more work in water than on land because water is denser than air. In a low-impact setting that does not harm delicate bones and tissues, patients can strengthen their muscles by pushing against the water.

• Boosts Aerobic Capacity: Exercise improves breathing and aerobic capacity, which benefits general health. Aerobic exercise can lower the risk of coronary artery disease and aid in keeping blood pressure levels in check. This is advantageous for people who require cardiovascular exercise but find it challenging to engage in land-based exercise due to pain or mobility concerns.

• Enhances Joint Pliability: Inflexible joints can move more freely in the presence of water. Warm water helps joints move more freely by releasing tension from muscles in a relaxed state. Aquatic therapy is a feasible choice for safe and mild exercise for those with arthritis and other joint disorders since movement equals medicine.

• Minimizes Swelling: Any fluid can impose hydrostatic pressure when contained in a small area. Water presses the body against itself during aquatic physical therapy. By enhancing circulation and reducing swelling, the pressure also eases joint stiffness and improves mobility.

How Safe Are Aquatic Exercise Programs?

Aquatic therapy practitioners should have first aid, CPR, oxygen administration, automated external defibrillation, blood-borne pathogens, and risk awareness training. A client's appropriateness for aquatic therapy should be determined case by case. Here are several instances where aqua therapy might not be the best line of action:

• Extreme fever.

• Open sores (unless a bio-occlusive bandage covers them).

• Incontinence.

• Diseases of uncontrolled seizures.

• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or comparable respiratory conditions.

• Currently taking a drug that could impair cognitive function.

• The client is now pregnant and has problems.

• Allergy to bromine or chlorine.

• Severe phobia of the water.

• Hepatitis A patients.

Conclusion:

Physical Treatment that is administered in a pool or other aquatic setting under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional is known as aquatic therapy. The majority of people discover that this therapy helps them obtain a fantastic workout to strengthen their muscles, improve their balance, and increase their flexibility while also observing advantages in their psychological well-being.