Sick of your chronic low back pain? Recovering from a surgery? Unable to perform land based exercises like stretching and strengthening because your pain gets worse? Try aquatic therapy! Water based therapy can have a beneficial effect on low back pain, post-op recovery and help build strength, flexibility and decreased pain levels.
Water has specific properties that allow you to exercise with less stress on your joints. Activities such as walking, stair navigation, balancing and jogging are easier and less painful in the water due to increased buoyancy. There is also less stress on your spine. The natural resistance of water also is an excellent way to strengthen your muscles when you cannot perform high impact activities.
In addition, the compressive forces and warm temperature of therapeutic aquatic PT have positive effects on blood flow and circulation which increase muscle function, flexibility and decreased stiffness. Whether you have low back pain, a new ankle sprain, recovering from surgery or are suffering from arthritis in your hips, knees or shoulders give aquatic therapy a try!