By Fran Wade, Physical Therapy Assistant
Recovering from an injury, dealing with joint issues or even beginning an exercise regimen is tough at any age. As we grow older, muscles tend to shrink and body fat increases, often escalating the risk of both injury and recovery time. So what’s the solution to keeping our bodies fit and healthy as we age and acquire injuries? Enter: the pool. Aquatic therapies, also known as water workouts, are a great source of exercise for the heart and lungs. This type of treatment expands beyond swimming laps and can increase flexibility and range of motion while toning and strengthening nearly every muscle group in the body.
The types of patients that benefit from aquatic therapy are endless. Performing exercises in water can aid in increasing the speed of recovery, while also improving a patient’s functional abilities on land. The properties of the water provide an effective and safe environment for performing therapeutic exercise. Aquatic therapy also allows individuals the opportunity to exercise when their tolerance of traditional exercise may be limited and is ideal for aerobic training, gait analysis, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic back pain and lumbar stabilization, foot, ankle or knee pain and short-term therapy.
Aquatic exercises are one of the best activities you can add to a workout routine, no matter your current fitness level. Water’s buoyancy decreases the effects of gravity, thereby removing excess weight off of joints. Taking advantage of this scientific perk can provide virtually any level of exercise intensity while reducing the risk of injury.
We all know that it is far easier to stay committed to an exercise program that is not painful; therefore, aquatic exercise becomes increasingly attractive as we age. Water exercises are a great option for those with arthritis and other joint issues. Additionally, they can be absolutely imperative for expedited recovery from injuries, especially for people over the age of 50.
While the tools of the trade have become increasingly elaborate, such as specialized pools using jets, water resistance continues to help patients strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular performance. Exercises can be performed standing, sitting, holding the side of the pool, using a floatation device, supine or prone. Many of the exercises used with patients can be done in any pool and are an easy option for people to incorporate into their exercise routine. If considering aquatic exercises, be sure to tackle these activities in a heated pool to reduce the risk of muscle spasm. The warmth of the water reduces pain by relaxing tight or spastic muscles and increasing blood flow.
By working with patients in the water, aquatic therapy aims to rehabilitate patients after injury or those with chronic illness. The overall benefits of aquatic therapy include increased healing and strengthening of injured tissue, increased flexibility, improved cardiovascular stamina, improved circulation and increased resistance for stretching and therapeutic exercises. With the reduction on weight-bearing joints, water therapy can be easier and less painful for patients. It uses the resistance of water instead of weights, taking excess pressure off joints for better outcomes.
Aquatic therapy is extremely beneficial for patients; however, it is not common for rehabilitation hospitals to offer aquatic therapy services. For nearly 30 years, HealthSouth has been applying these therapeutic practices to patients with catastrophic injury and illness, including stroke, brain and spinal injuries, amputation and other orthopedic or neurological conditions. At HealthSouth Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital, we have a therapeutic indoor pool, which is used for different types of aquatic treatments and is run by specially trained staff in aquatic therapy.
Fran Wade has been a physical therapy assistant since 1979. She has practiced in a variety of settings from acute care, private practice to rehabilitation, and has specialized in the area of spinal cord injury. In the late 1980s, she got involved in the aquatic industry and started a program to re-introduce her spinal cord patients to the water. This program grew into the first aquatic program at Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital. In 1991, she became certified by the Aquatic Exercise Association and then in 2004 became certified by the International Council for Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute (ICATRI). Since 2002, Fran has been working full-time developing and managing the aquatic program at HealthSouth Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital. She has been teaching the Aquatic Continuing Education course for HealthSouth since 2005 sharing her extensive knowledge of aquatics.
