It May Be Time to Consider Aquatic Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, perhaps in your lower back or extremities, and looking for a new approach to relief, then this blog post is for you! Aquatic therapy for chronic pain is a natural method for lasting relief in an ideal setting for folks with a wide range of mobility and ability.
A great example of success with aquatic therapy is one of our patients, we’ll call her Ms. Langley, who struggled with chronic low back pain following a car accident. She wanted to introduce a new activity into her rehabilitation program, and the inviting waters of the aquatic center spoke to her. Through consistent sessions, Ms. Langley discovered that in addition to managing her pain, this therapy helped ease her stress and gave her the confidence to move freely, with even more improvement than before.
Keep reading to discover more about this soothing and effective therapy using the healing powers of water.
Aquatic Therapy for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is classified as pain lasting 12 weeks or more. There are over 100 million people in the United States with chronic pain, including the 20 million whose pain rises to a debilitating level. Chronic pain can lead to anxiety, depression, and, in some cases, loss of the ability to maintain certain types of employment.
Common examples of chronic pain include:
- Degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Musculoskeletal pain, such as Low back pain
- Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and post-stroke
Studies show that a treatment program combining various methods, including aquatic therapy, is most effective at treating this condition’s physical and mental effects.
Aquatic therapy is a form of physical rehabilitation that takes place in a pool or other aquatic environment. It leverages the physical properties of water, such as buoyancy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure, to facilitate exercise and therapy.
The buoyancy of water reduces the weight-bearing stress on joints. A comfortable, therapeutic water temperature can also help relax muscles and improve blood flow. These properties often make rehabilitation exercises less painful and more manageable for patients than land-based activities.
At Unified Rehabilitation, our therapists are specially trained in aquatic rehabilitation techniques. We utilize the latest research and guidelines in aquatic therapy to tailor programs to individual health concerns.
The numerous benefits of aquatic therapy make it a great option for people of all ages. It offers a low-risk, secure, and encouraging training environment. We often find that our older patients who want to engage in more physical activity find aquatic therapy particularly beneficial.
- Pain relief
- Muscle relaxation
- Range of motion
- Rebuild weakened muscles
- Balance and coordination
- Improved circulation
Aquatic therapy can incorporate various methods that each have their own focus and benefits. Each program is designed to address different therapeutic needs and goals, but all utilize water’s supportive and resistive properties for soothing and effective rehabilitation. Our therapists guide patients through aquatic therapy techniques that are proven to be effective in alleviating pain, building strength, and improving joint articulation and functional mobility.
Aquatic Therapy and More with Unified Rehabilitation
Our team takes great care to design personalized treatment programs for every patient. We’ll start with a detailed review of your medical history and condition, followed by a physical assessment to determine your strengths and limitations. We’ll also take the time to discuss any questions you have about treatment to create a program that aligns with your overall goals.
If you or someone you know in Winter Garden, FL is suffering from chronic pain, don’t wait any longer to give us a call. We’ll help you discover effective pain management with the healing power of aquatic therapy and much more.