Starting with assessment of the patient’s condition, Physiotherapy involves evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a range of diseases. One type of physiotherapy is aquatic physiotherapy or hydrotherapy. Aquatic physiotherapy or hydrotherapy is a type of physiotherapy that involves water during the treatment for a low to zero impact on joints which leads to a more comfortable exercise. Another reason why aquatic physiotherapy is essential to some patients is because water provides a good amount of resistance for some exercises. At the same time, body weight is reduced when in water.
Aquatic physiotherapy can be performed in tubs or pools that are comfortable for patients who require special needs due to limited mobility or immobility. Patients who can no longer walk due to injuries in their legs can highly benefit from aquatic physiotherapy. It reduces the amount of stress on patients with leg injuries when performing exercises in water. It also strengthens weak muscles when done accordingly. People who benefit from this type of physiotherapy are the ones with heart or circulation problems, people with diabetes, heart attack, stroke, or those who are obese.
You may wonder what types of exercises are done in aquatic physiotherapy. Many of the movements are almost the same as the regular physical therapy exercise movements done out of water. Stretching and exercises are customized to suit every patient’s condition. Men and women of all ages can benefit from aquatic physiotherapy. Children who acquired disabilities or are late in developing motor and locomotor skills highly benefit from water physiotherapy. This type of physiotherapy can also be customized to help children achieve balance and walking abilities.
Aquatic physiotherapy does not only treat patients, but it can also be utilized to help an individual achieve skills in swimming. The exercises done in water physiotherapy can be used to develop and hone body movement and coordination in water thus the development of swimming skills. It can also teach disabled patients how to swim when modified in a way that suits the patient.
Remember that not all patients are suited for water physiotherapy. However, it can be highly effective and beneficial to people with special cases that require low impact exercises, or people that require the resistance water provides. Not everyone is suited for aquatic physiotherapy. People with fever, infection, open wounds, or people who may be sensitive to water temperature are not the best candidates for aqua physiotherapy. This may also be dangerous to some patients who are under special medication like those with high blood pressure. To be on the safe side, the licensed physical therapist should know the medical history and current medical condition of the patient to avoid untoward things from happening.
Alevia Health and Wellness Center provides patients with holistic health care services in the best type of environment a patient could imagine. Alevia caters to individuals who seek health and wellness through services like chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, reflexology, naturopathy, homeopathy, custom orthotics, compression stockings, and pilates. Feel free to contact us to find out more on how you can benefit from physiotherapy.
