Aqua Therapy is also known as water-based exercise therapy and pool therapy.
Hydrotherapy is a treatment technique helping rehabilitation of musculoskeletal system, nerve system, respiratory system and cardiovascular system diseases and disorders by using mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of water. Water-based exercises have advantage over land-based exercises thanks to the mechanical properties of water such as the buoyant force, viscosity and hydrostatic pressure. Body weight significantly reduces due to the fact that the Gravitational Influence on the body reduces thanks to the upward force. When the load on the muscles and joints reduce, patients move underwater easily as they can perform walking and strengthening exercises easier. Movements can be made at a constant speed due to the viscosity property of water showing more resistance against movement depending on atmospheric condition. Both strengthening and endurance of the muscles increase safely in early period so that the more speed is accelerated the more resistance increases. When the patient gets into the water, the hydrostatic pressure of the water exerts pressure on the surface of the body in the water on all sides at equilibrium and it forms a proper support system for all the body parts immersed in the water on all sides. The deeper you go, the bigger the support from the surrounding water becomes. This influence builds a safe environment to prevent fall, imbalances or overstress. The turbulance caused by underwater movements stimulates proprioception (sense of positioning) and balancing chemical equations. Such properties of water helps the patient can move in a comfortable and safe manner in an optimal environment. Moreover, the factors such as the opportunity of unassisted exercise in the early periods of treatment, reducing pain, movement smoothness enhances compatibility of the patient, faith in achievement and trust for the treatment. It also shortens the recovery time of the patients and helps them to regain their motivation to overcome their diseases. The water temperature also provides additional benefits. Hot water relaxes muscles, boosts blood flow and reduces pain with increasing physical activity. Thus venous and lymphatic circulation are improved and edema is reduced. Severity and duration of exercises are determined based on the type of the disease and the degree of functional loss. Functional gain, recovery time and speed of recovery vary from one patient to another. The frequency and severity of water-based exercises are determined by a physiotherapist depending upon the symptoms and condition of the patient. It is performed together with a hydrotherapist or a physiotherapist. No swimming skills required to get benefit from hydrotherapy treatment.
The list of the diseases to be treated by Pool-based Exercise Therapy:
Neurological Disorders
a. Chronic stroke
b. Cerebral Palsy
c. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
d. Muscle Diseases
e. Orthopaedic surgery complications (especially after knee and hip surgeries)
f. Some Rheumatic Diseases
The benefits of Hydrotherapy Treatment:
1. Warming up, stretching and relaxing
2. Reducing acute or chronic pain (inflammatory and degenerative conditions)
3. Improving Range of Joint Motion
4. Strengthening Muscles, Improving Flexibility and Relieving Muscle Spasm
5. Providing the sense of positioning and restoring balance
6. Reducing anxiety and providing support for emotional regulation
Contraindications of Hydrotherapy Treatment;
a. Open Wounds
b. Infection and Fever
c. Acute Episode of Diseases
d. Sensory Loss
e. Hydrophobia
f. Heat and Cold Intolerance
g. Decompensed Cardiovascular Diseases
h. Labile Hypertension
i. Cancer
j. Pregnancy
k. Acute bleeding or bleeding disorders
l. Mental Disorders