Transcript:

Hello and welcome to our podcast today where we will be talking about what is so great about aquatic therapy. Before we start we need to know what exactly is aquatic therapy. Aquatic therapy is  basically therapy that is conducted in the water with the purpose of recovering from injury or to improve conditioning. What are the benefits associated with aquatic therapy. The main reason I could find is because the effects of gravity allow for increased joint range of motion, you are practically floating making it easier and less painful to move. Aquatic therapy also helps with conditioning as resistance plays a huge role in movement under water, building muscle strength and also helps with improving balance. I know a few athletes who have a shallow pool and submerged in the water is a bike machine. They sit down on the bike and the water only reaches their chest so all the resistance is on the legs when moving. Sounds like it may be a bit challenging but I know for a fact they are building up muscle strength and endurance in their legs for the sport they play. A few other exercises associated with aquatic therapy include knee-to- chest, wall-facing leg stretch, leg raises, and pool walking just to name a few. Aquatic therapy is best for individuals who suffer from several conditions including arthritis, cerebral palsy,  parkinson’s disease, sprains and strains, as well as many other conditions. I found a research article where the primary objective of the study was to look at the effects of aquatic therapy on mobility of individuals with neurological diseases. The researchers wanted to show that aquatic therapy increases dynamic balance in participants with some neurological disorders. They used randomized and controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of young adults 18+ with neurological disorders and studied the physical activity of participants in the water. In the end there was enough evidence to suggest that aquatic therapy is beneficial in the attainment of individuals with neurological disorders. Try giving aquatic therapy a shot if you have any of these conditions and see if it is beneficial to your body. Just a quick reminder though before I head out, you should try to incorporate land and water exercises to your program to see the best results and determine which modality is best for you. Thanks for listening today, it has been a pleasure talking to everyone. 

References

• Andrew Cole, M., & Bruce Becker, M. (n.d.). Water therapy exercises. Retrieved May 09, 2021, from https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/water-therapy-exercises 
• The benefits of aquatic therapy. (2018, October 03). Retrieved May 09, 2021, from https://helenhayeshospital.org/the-benefits-of-aquatic-therapy/ 

Ultimate guide to aquatic therapy & water therapy - hydroworx®. (2021, February 02). Retrieved May 09, 2021, from https://www.hydroworx.com/research-education/additional-resources/aquatic-therapy-guide/