In today’s time, when pain, injuries, and chronic diseases are becoming more and more common, you can’t always rely on medicines to strengthen your body and to improve your overall well-being. Considering that the consumption of painkillers and other types of drugs can negatively impact your body, it’s better to avoid them if possible.

One of the best ways to strengthen your muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints, etc., is to seek non-invasive treatments such as aquatic therapy. Aquatic therapy is, without a doubt, one of the most significant physical therapy techniques that physical therapists use to treat a variety of health problems such as injuries and chronic pain.

According to Advantage PT, “Performing specific exercises and activities in aquatic therapy allows for improved strength, coordination of muscle groups, reduction of swelling, and enhanced nervous system feedback.”

Aquatic therapy is becoming more and more popular among patients with each passing day, and one of the most vital factors that influence its popularity is it’s ideal for the people of all ages. Yes, you got that right. Whether you are a college student, an adult in their 40s or a senior in their 70s, you can seek aquatic therapy for a quick recovery from an injury or an illness.

According to HydroWorx ” In the United States, those who can perform aquatic therapy are legally regulated medical professionals with the correct scope of practice and the ability to use the American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.”

So, no matter what your fitness level is, if you seek aquatic therapy from a reliable physical therapist, you can improve it dramatically. The calming properties of water play a significant in strengthening both your mental and physical health.

If you are someone who experiences musculoskeletal pain such as back pain, neck pain, and foot and ankle pain frequently or you are struggling with a chronic disease, here is how aquatic therapy can address your problem.

It Relieves Pain

If you are struggling with pain, your physical therapist will try to address it in the first place. Known with various names such as hydrotherapy, pool therapy, and aquatic rehabilitation; aquatic therapy is one of the best pain relief techniques that physical therapists use.

During aquatic therapy, you perform therapeutic exercises in a pool of warm water, which saves your joints from receiving excessive stress. When you carry out the same moves at home, they can put undue pressure on your weight-bearing joints, which can worsen your pain.

Therefore, it’s better to stick to aquatic therapy where you can perform different types of therapeutic exercises in warm water under the supervision of an experienced physical therapist. After a couple of therapy sessions, you will notice a significant reduction in pain.

It Helps in Regaining Flexibility

When you suffer from an injury or a disease, it affects your entire body in several ways, one of which is it affects your flexibility. For example, if you are struggling with arthritis, you might be experiencing mild to severe joint pain and joint stiffness, which might have reduced your flexibility. One of the best ways to deal with it is to rely on aquatic therapy.

If you have painful joints, you can’t think of performing exercises that can affect them further. However, your physical therapist will include specific moves in your care plan that will make it easier for you to get rid of joint stiffness and regain your flexibility. And the best part is that you won’t experience any pain when you perform those moves in an aquatic environment.

It Improves Muscle & Joint Health

There is little doubt that you need strong muscles and flexible joints to stay active. And staying active is essential for the growth and development of both your personal and professional lives. For ages, people from different cultures have been using water therapy to strengthen their bodies and to promote relaxation. It’s not something that healthcare professionals have developed recently; it’s an ancient practice of healing pain and injuries, so you shouldn’t hesitate to seek it to strengthen your muscles and improve joint health.

It Increases Your Balance

If you love being active, but you are unable to stick to your running and walking routine due to balance and coordination problems, seeking aquatic therapy can improve your condition. People with poor balance and coordination remain at a higher risk of injuries. People above 60 face more balance and coordination issues; however, that doesn’t change the fact that anyone can struggle with them.

Balance and coordination problems occur due to head injuries, fluctuating blood pressure, inner ear problems, consumption of certain medications, and changes in the functioning of the brain.

And the good news is that aquatic therapy can address all of them, thereby improving your ability to perform physical activities that demand a high level of balance and coordination.

It Enhances Aerobic Capacity

Aquatic therapy can also increase your aerobic capacity, which is nothing but the ability of your body to consume oxygen in a particular time, such as one minute. Improved aerobic capacity is essential for living a healthy life. Your physical therapist incorporates specific moves in your care plan to strengthen your well-being. They check your fitness level and then decide what kind of exercises are suitable for you.

Lastly, Aquatic therapy is way too distinct from other types of aquatic exercises because it requires the involvement of well-trained healthcare professionals such a physical therapist who creates a care plan for you, based on the severity of your problem. And they include specific moves in your care plan that help in addressing the root cause of your problem.