Restore Your Confidence with Aquatic Therapy for Fall Prevention
We all fall from time to time, but for the elderly, a fall can be a devastating event. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury for those 65 and older. Injuries from falls, including fractures in the hip and wrists, can lead to limited mobility and loss of independence. It may be a surprise to learn that the fear of falling is a common cause of falls for the elderly. Fortunately, aquatic therapy for fall prevention is an effective form of therapy with a variety of benefits.
At Unified Rehabilitation, we help patients like you enhance their stability and confidence with aquatic therapy as part of our overall rehabilitation programs. In this blog post, we’ll learn about aquatic therapy and its benefits. Then, we’ll share the story of one of our patients who experienced the many benefits of this natural and holistic form of therapy.
Discover how to reduce your fall risk and improve your balance with aquatic therapy.
Quick Facts About Aquatic Therapy for Fall Prevention and More
Aquatic therapy is a specialized type of physical therapy that takes place in a pool or other aquatic environment. The natural buoyancy, resistance, and pressure of water create an ideal environment for exercise that benefits people of all ages – particularly seniors and those with physical limitations.
These natural properties of water offer a great setting to improve proprioception, which is the body’s ability to sense its position in space. This skill is vital in order to safely navigate various obstacles and terrains to reduce the risk of falls.
Other groups and conditions that benefit from aquatic therapy include:
- People recovering from injuries
- Those with chronic conditions like arthritis and multiple sclerosis
- Individuals with balance disorders
The low-impact, therapeutic environment of aquatic therapy can help you achieve better mobility, strength, and stability.
Supportive Recovery with Aquatic Therapy
A former patient, we’ll call him Mr. Moore, was in his early 70s when he experienced a devastating fall while gardening. It resulted in a broken hip, limited mobility, and an intense fear of falling again. The fear affected his confidence and made him hesitant to walk even short distances inside and outside his home.
During his aquatic therapy sessions, we focused on exercises tailored to improve his balance, strengthen his muscles, and restore his confidence.
- Walking Exercises: A fundamental part of aquatic therapy that strengthens everyday skills.
- Forward: Enhances the gait cycle and promotes leg strength with the added challenge of the water’s resistance.
- Backward: Increase strength in the hamstring and glutes while promoting proprioception and concentration.
- Sideways: Improves balance to reduce the risk of falls during sudden shifts in direction.
- Forward: Enhances the gait cycle and promotes leg strength with the added challenge of the water’s resistance.
- Leg Lifts: Exercises performed standing by the pool’s edge for additional support.
- Strengthen Muscles: Increases strength in the quads, hamstrings, and hip flexors without the added strain on the joints.
- Core Engagement: Maintaining balance using the core muscles is crucial for overall stability.
- Range of Motion: Improve mobility and motion in the hip joints with the supportive nature of the water.
- Strengthen Muscles: Increases strength in the quads, hamstrings, and hip flexors without the added strain on the joints.
We also incorporated floating noodles and rings into the therapy to enhance Mr. Moore’s proprioception and build balance during therapy. As his confidence grew, we gradually decreased the use of flotation and other assistive devices to continue to challenge his muscles and skills.
Over several sessions, Mr. Moore noticed significant improvements. The water’s support allowed him to work on restoring his strength and balance without fear of falling. As his confidence built, he began to walk more steadily and confidently on land.
Discover Aquatic & Physical Therapy Options at Unified Rehabilitation
If you or a loved one are struggling to recover from a fall, give us a call today. We’ll help you improve your balance and recover from injury with a supportive program tailored to your individual needs.