Benefits of Aquatic Therapy For Chronic Pain
If you’re barely staying afloat because of pain, aquatic therapy could help.
Are you fed up with your pain or weakness? Is it becoming increasingly difficult to walk, bend, and stand? Is doing housekeeping or running errands around town becoming more difficult? Have you tried everything to tackle these issues and come up with a solution that doesn’t work?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, water therapy at Ellis Physical Therapy might be a good fit for you!
Aquatic therapy is a type of rehabilitation that takes place in the water. It differs from aqua fitness in that it is carried out by a certified therapist. It is covered by insurance, including Medicare, because it is provided by a physical therapist, physical therapist’s assistant, occupational therapist, or occupational therapist’s assistant.
Continue reading to learn about the advantages of water treatment for a number of difficult chronic diseases. When you’re finished, call our clinic to schedule an appointment with one of our trained aquatic therapists!
Our Patients Get Great Results
“Ellis PT is AMAZING! The people are all so friendly and helpful. They work with you at your pace. The saying you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, is so true. I had to move and I wish they had moved with me.“
– L.P.
Exercise of the Month
Forearm Plank
- Lie facedown on the floor with elbows directly under shoulders and forearms in front of you, palms to the floor.
- Tighten your abs as you raise up onto elbows and toes with the weight of your body spread evenly among toes and elbows. Keep palms of hands against the floor and spread your fingers for stability.
- Maintain a straight line from heels to shoulders.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds.
Common Conditions an Aquatic Therapist Can Help With
Aquatic therapy is a type of aquatic physical therapy and aquatic occupational therapy treatment that takes place in water, generally in an in-clinic pool. It has soothing properties that can benefit you if you are seeking relaxation and pain relief.
Two of the most common conditions that aquatic therapists are experts at treating are back pain and balance issues.
Back pain
Back pain is one of the most commonly experienced conditions, and it can affect nearly anyone at any age. This kind of pain can form as a result of an injury, or simply as a part of getting older. Back pain is often quelled with over-the-counter pain medications, but with the help of a knowledgeable aquatic therapist, you don’t have to depend on pills to help you feel better.
As previously stated, our clinic believes in the healing magical properties of water. They are perfectly suited to treat back pain!
Only 20% of your weight is supported by your spine when you’re in chest-deep water. This makes it much less painful and easier to exercise your back muscles. In the deepwater part of our program, we focus on the core while the patient wears a flotation belt and holds weights. If necessary, modest spinal traction can be used to relieve pressure between the vertebrae, which is common in the spine.
Balance & gait disorders
Balance disorders are rather common. Feeling imbalanced is never pleasant, and it can put you at risk of falling and hurting yourself. Our clinic’s aquatic therapy might help you improve your balance.
There is no risk of injury when completing standard land-based balance exercises in the water. You may sustain injuries such as a hip fracture if you fall on land. Not only do you have the support of a flotation belt in the water, but you also have the safety of the water if you lose your equilibrium! It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
If you stumble, you will simply get wet instead of falling down and hurting yourself. Our therapists can identify at-risk patients and provide hands-on assistance when needed, so rest assured that you’ll be taken care of!
What Makes Aquatic Therapy Successful at Decreasing Pain?
You might be wondering, “What makes aquatic therapy so special? It’s just water!” The truth is that this kind of therapy maximizes the magical properties of water, such as buoyancy, viscosity, and hydrostatic pressure.
Water reduces the amount of weight you’re bearing on your joints and spine as you exercise. It also provides resistance and decreases inflammation, and improves circulation.
Our talented staff is skilled, licensed therapists who will focus your total body exercise program to reduce your pain. Our aquatic therapy program will improve your endurance, muscle strength, and balance.
Why Should I See an Aquatic Therapist?
There are several reasons why you may want to go see an aquatic therapist at Ellis Physical Therapy. Besides living with chronic conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, multiple sclerosis, stroke recovery, and joint disorders, you may have other common goals for your aquatic therapy treatment, such as:
- Improving flexibility
- Improving balance and coordination
- Building muscle strength and endurance
- Enhancing aerobic capacity
- Assisting with gait and locomotion
- Reducing stress and promoting relaxation
If you’re not sure whether or not aquatic therapy would be a good fit for you, you can always ask an Ellis Physical Therapy therapist. They’d be more than happy to do a full assessment of your condition to determine the best plan of action for your therapy treatment!
Call Our Office Today for an Appointment
Our aquatic therapists are experts when it comes to improving your movement and easing your pain. If you’re dealing with any kind of chronic pain condition, call our clinic to set up an appointment. There are so many different ways a therapist can help you find the relief you deserve, so come on in — the water’s fine!
Vegan Greek Sheet Pan Dinner
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsps Dijon mustard
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 (350g/ 12.3oz) block extra-firm tofu, drained, and torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium red onion, thickly sliced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, left whole
- ½ c kalamata olives
- ¼ c vegan feta, crumbled
- Optional for serving: cooked rice, warmed pita bread, vegan tzatziki, hummus, roasted potatoes, fresh oregano, or parsley
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, add all of the Greek seasoning ingredients, stir and set aside.
- On a large baking sheet, spread the tofu, zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the Greek seasoning mixture over top and use your hands to toss the ingredients well until everything is well coated in the seasoning.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, stopping to stir halfway through, until everything is cooked and golden brown in some places.
- Remove from the oven then sprinkle over the olives and vegan feta. Serve hot alone or with cooked rice, warmed pita bread, vegan tzatziki, hummus, roasted potatoes, fresh oregano, or parsley, if desired.
