Aquatic therapy

Aquatic therapy over the centuries has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for a multitude of pathologies, especially in the field of rehabilitation.

It is the treatment of the body, totally or partially, through the application of potable or ordinary water, being able to vary and alternate its temperature and pressure. Whirlpool baths, bi-thermal showers and pressure jets are some of the devices used. The American Physical Therapy Association, aquatic therapy or aquatic physical therapy (TFA) is "the evidence-based and expert practice of physical therapy in an aquatic environment by a physical therapist."

TFA includes the “treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, health, well-being, and physical fitness of the patient / client population in an aquatic environment with and without the use of assistive, adapted, orthopedic, protective, or support devices and equipment. . " Interventions for people of all ages with various disabilities, disorders, or conditions are enhanced when performed within an aquatic environment.

TFA interventions are designed to maintain or improve function; balance, coordination, and agility; aerobic capacity / endurance conditioning; He passed; locomotion; and body mechanics and postural stabilization. In addition, TFA interventions used for muscle strength, power, and endurance may include manual therapy, breathing strategies, electrotherapy modalities, therapeutic exercises, and functional training.

Many benefits

• muscle improvement and peripheral circulation increases through the use of hot water.
• Water provides resistance for strength training.
• The knowledge of the body, the balance and the stability of the trunk are stimulated by the hot water.
• Through the reduction of gravitational forces in the pool, the person is able to stand up and begin gait training and strengthening exercises without causing further damage.
• Decreased sensitivity to pain due to the action of hot water and buoyancy.

The water becomes a unique means of rehabilitation due to its physical properties: flotation, viscosity and hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressures.

• By means of thebuoyancy propertythe effect of gravity is reduced by up to 90%. In other words, the buoyant force of the water decreases the weight of the body in relation to the degree of immersion. For example, standing with the water at the level of the thorax, the body weight is reduced by 60%. Essentially, this gives the patient and the therapist the ability to control the compressive forces on the joints simply by varying the degree of immersion.
• The second physical property of water,viscosity, is caused by the friction of liquids. Due to the viscosity, moving in water is like lifting a “liquid weight”: the more force you use, the greater the resistance forces that act against you. The aquatic environment allows to strengthen the muscles in a functional / upright posture, especially within the trunk area. Performing basic locomotor exercises (ie, walking and running) using water resistance improves functionality because the body stabilizes itself against that resistance.
• Finally, thehydrostatic pressureIt explains how the pressure applied to an enclosed and at rest liquid is integrally transmitted to all parts of the fluid and to the walls of the container that contains it. Therefore, at a greater depth, the water exerts more pressure on the body, which causes a greater venous return.

Physiological effects of aquatic therapy

• Immersion in warm water (30º C), in addition to facilitating exercises that cannot be carried out outside the aquatic environment, causes a series of physiological effects:
• Increases surface circulation and blood supply to muscles.
• Increases general metabolism.
• It reduces the hypersensitivity of the sensory endings.
• Relaxes the muscles in a generalized way.

Water temperature according to treatment

• Cold (10-15 ° C): post-exercise recovery, contrast bath.
• Temperate (26-30 ° C): cardiac conditioning, intense exercise, multiple sclerosis, amyoatrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Indifferent (32-35 ° C): aquatic therapy, Ai-Chi, relaxation.
• Hot (36-41 ° C): relaxation, contrast baths.

Indications and contraindications of aquatic therapy

The aquatic therapy it is indicated in almost all areas of rehabilitation. It includes all the pathologies in which we want to reduce pain, muscle spasm, edema, and increase the range of motion and muscle strength.

However, there are certain clinical situations in which it is absolutely contraindicated. It may be due to the risk of spreading infections due to water contamination, or due to the obvious risk of a worsening of the patient's health. For these reasons it will be especially necessary to put yourself in the hands of expert professionals who prescribe this therapy.

Several authors have shown that aquatic therapy is effective in improving muscle strength, as well as general flexibility. Regarding flexibility, important improvements were observed in the shortening of the hamstring muscles, and in the mobility of the lumbar spine.

In addition to studies on spinal pathology, there are other scientific studies that demonstrate a positive clinical evolution in other pathologies: knee osteoarthritis, shoulder pathology, and in specific populations such as athletes and the elderly.

The result after years of experience with aquatic therapy is that a clear reduction in the recovery times of patients is obtained, in addition to important psychological benefits, favoring their self-esteem and self-confidence. Its effects are positive for: children, adults, athletes, both professional and recreational, and.

• Interventions for people of all ages with various disabilities, disorders, or conditions are enhanced when performed within an aquatic environment.
• Water becomes a unique medium for rehabilitation due to its physical properties: buoyancy, viscosity, and hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressures.
• Its effects are positive for: children, adults, athletes, both professional and recreational, and the elderly.