Rehabilitation experts are always on the lookout for the newest and best state of the art therapy to help patients recover. People in the know are touting the amazing benefits of aquatic therapy, and it may be coming to facilities across the U.S.<\/p>\n
Aquatic therapy is the use of a water-based environment for doing therapeutic activities that promote rehabilitation. Since it is so specific, it can only be done with expertly trained and licensed professionals. Standard physical therapy is usually done in the water, but the water provides many benefits that the patient can’t make use of on land.<\/p>\n
Aquatic therapy won’t work for people who have limited use of their limbs. What it is good for are people who have chronic pain and find it difficult to exercise because of the pain. It’s great for orthopedic patients who are before or after surgery, or patients who don’t need surgery but need to regain their strength. These people have often given up on exercise and getting into shape because it’s too painful. This gives them the optimal environment to finally tackle their physical problems.<\/p>\n
The therapy must be done in a highly specialized pool that’s set up specifically for aquatic therapy. Everything must be super clean and in perfect shape, as well as monitored to keep it that way.<\/p>\n
A physical therapist trained in aquatic therapy works one-on-one with the patient, giving him the skills he needs to perform the exercises.<\/p>\n
Some people stop their rehabilitative efforts when the going gets too tough. If these people don’t have life-threatening illnesses, they decide that they can manage with their distress because the rehabilitation is even more painful.<\/p>\n
With the option of this new therapy, more people will be able to continue their programs and achieve a higher rate of success.<\/p>\n
New studies need to be conducted to see if aquatic therapy can help other patients besides orthopedic patients as well. Evidence<\/a> indicates that it’s an excellent therapy for cardiac patients, as blood volume increases in the water and the vascular system expands. The heart also works harder, making it a more challenging program.<\/p>\n Pulmonary patients might benefit from the program as well, but breathing becomes harder as the chest is immersed in the pool, so patients need to go only until the waist until they become stronger.<\/p>\n