Aquatic Therapy Is an Easy Way to Make Exercise Fun and Reduce Pain

Aquatic therapy is a fun, low-impact way to exercise and reduce pain

Key takeaways:

• Aquatic therapy can help you get physically fit
• It’s useful for helping a variety of medical conditions that cause pain 
• It can help you recover from injuries and surgeries
• Water’s buoyancy can ease symptoms of arthritis
• There are a variety of fun exercises you can do underwater

Did you know that you can use your swim or fitness spa for your own 24/7 gym membership? Many owners know the benefits of swim spas, like relaxation and having a good time. But did you know they can also help ease various medical conditions and reduce pain? 

Swim/fitness spas allow you to practice aquatic therapy, which takes advantage of water’s buoyant properties to help your body get fit in gentle ways, with little to no impact on your joints. Aquatic therapy is useful for a variety of reasons. This article will talk about what it is, its benefits, and exercises you can use to get fit and reduce pain! 

What is aquatic therapy?

Aquatic therapy is exercising in water for relaxation, fitness, physical rehabilitation, and therapeutic benefits. Because of the natural support water gives the body, exercising in H2O greatly reduces strain and stress on your joints and ligaments. It also reduces inflammation and helps you build muscle and stamina while reducing the risk of exercise-related injuries.

The benefits of aquatic therapy

Exercises on land can put a lot of strain on your joints and ligaments. This is especially harmful if you’re suffering from an injury or have a painful condition like rheumatoid arthritis that’s damaged your hips or knees. Because water supports your weight, your body’s bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons are under much less stress than with land exercises.

The water’s resistance can also help you begin to build your muscles. You strength train in water without any need for weights or additional equipment.

You can also use aquatic therapy to reduce swelling in your joints. Hydrostatic pressure gives you increased joint awareness. Your proprioception, or awareness of your body’s movements and position, can improve in the water. Hydrostatic pressure also helps you decrease the joint and soft tissue swelling associated with many forms of arthritis.

Who can benefit from aquatic therapy?

If you have arthritis, aquatic therapy is a great way to get moving while decreasing any discomfort you normally feel when exercising. Feeling less pain will make it easier to stay motivated to get your workouts done!

Aquatic therapy is also ideal for people recovering from bone fractures. Being underwater protects you from re-injuring yourself, making additional injuries less likely.

Has your doctor told you to lose weight? Aquatic therapy can be an enjoyable way to get started with a fitness plan. Extra weight puts more pressure on bones, joints, and ligaments during everyday life.

Many exercises that increase strains on land can be used to begin an exercise program without increasing pain while in the water. If you have not exercised in many years, it’s an ideal way to begin forming new, healthier habits.

Are you recovering from surgery? Aquatic therapy can help you recover from back, hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle surgeries. You will be able to walk with less pain and difficulty. Ask your doctor before beginning any exercise plan for recovery from injury, surgery, or to aid in healing any condition you have. 

What kind of aquatic therapy exercises should I try?

There is an almost limitless selection of water exercises. Below are five exercises to get you started. As always, refer to your physician before beginning any regimen. 

1. Aqua jogging

Aqua jogging gets your heart pumping faster and helps increase blood flow throughout your body. It’s the perfect form of low-impact exercise!

It’s pretty simple. You jog your way from one end of your swim spa to the other. You can also simply walk from one end to the other. Want to stay in one spot? March, jog, or walk in place.

Aerobic exercises are intended to get your heart rate up. If you find your form of aqua jogging too easy, you can amp up the speed. 

2. Flutter kicking

Another fun yet low-impact exercise is flutter kicking. You can do it with or without a backboard. Since this is an aerobic exercise, the main idea is to get your heart rate to increase. This helps your cardiovascular health.

If you use a kickboard, hold it with your arms straight in front of you. Flutter kick your legs to move from one end of the swim spa to the other. If you don’t have a kickboard, simply hold on to the edge of your spa. Flutter kick in place to give yourself a fun aerobic workout if you don’t want to move.

Keep your tempo in mind. You’ll want to maintain a steady pace. Aerobic activity is important, but you don’t want to get tired too quickly.

3. Leg lifts

This fun exercise is great for building muscle strength. Stand straight in place. Lift one leg as high as you can to one side. Lower and raise the leg for a number of reps. Then, switch and start working your other leg.

This exercise works your leg muscles and helps you improve your balance. It also helps strengthen your core, giving you a great lower body workout without the worry of hurting yourself with weights.

4. Standing water push-ups

Want a great upper body workout without the joint pain? Try water push-ups! Grasp one side of your swim spa, with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Lean in as you bend your arms. 

Push yourself back up. Keep going slowly for a number of reps. When starting this exercise, go slowly. Take your time to understand your limits.

5. Arm curls

Want to tone your arms? Water curls offer your arm muscles resistance and help build your strength. To do this exercise, stand in the middle of your swim spa. Hold your arms at your sides under the water’s surface with your palms facing out. 

Curl your arms up at your elbows, then down. Keep going for a number of reps. If you want more resistance, you can add water weights to this exercise.

Let aquatic therapy keep you fit and ease your pain

Ready to add a low-impact, enjoyable form of exercise and therapy to your backyard? Aquatic therapy is a great way to recover from surgery, get physically fit, and/or reduce pain. 

If you’re interested in a fitness or swim spa, Barefoot Spas is here to help. Our state-of-the-art spas are perfect for aquatic therapy, fun, and relaxation. Contact us for more information or to visit our factory and see our products for yourself.