| Aqua therapy, hydrotherapy or pool therapy is physical | | | | fitness and posture post partum; plus the early return |
| therapy that is carried out in water. Aquatic therapy | | | | to sport post injury. |
| uses the resistance of the water as the medium to | | | | The Reasons Behind The Benefits |
| exercise against. It aims to rehabilitate the body after | | | | The water's buoyancy virtually eliminates the effects |
| accident, injury or surgery. It actively and passively | | | | of gravity, depending on the depth of the water that |
| rehabilitates musculoskeletal, neurological and | | | | you exercise in up to 80- 90 % of the body's weight is |
| cardiopulmonary conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the | | | | supported by the water thus reducing impact and joint |
| water's properties as the primary therapeutic medium, | | | | compression plus allowing far greater flexibility. |
| reducing the pressure on the spine and joints | | | | Due to viscosity, drag forces and frontal resistance, |
| throughout the body, so if you have had an injury that | | | | water provides a resistance which is proportional to |
| prevents you from weight bearing on land. The | | | | the effort exerted against it. Resistance in water is |
| buoyancy of water assists in supporting the body | | | | between 4 and 42 times greater than in air, depending |
| weight, whilst you can improve muscle strength and | | | | on the speed of movement and surface area. A key |
| mobility through the injured limb. | | | | benefit of exercise in water, unlike most land based |
| The water therapist uses specific techniques to help | | | | exercise, is that it provides 360ยบ resistance for 100% |
| reduce your pain, improve tone, decrease spasmodic | | | | of the time. Water's resistance can be increased by |
| activity and improve mobility. Aquatic therapy is ideal | | | | extending lever length and/or the wearing of aquatic |
| whatever the ability or level of rehabilitation of the | | | | equipment, the resistance is proportional to the effort |
| individual, so you can start right at the beginning or join | | | | required to move against it. |
| in at a higher fitness level and still receive huge | | | | The unique properties of water enable your heart to |
| benefits. | | | | work more efficiently. The hydrostatic pressure of |
| Exercise in Water | | | | water pushes equally on all body surfaces and helps |
| Aquatic exercise is the process using water and its | | | | the heart circulate blood by aiding venous return - |
| properties as the primary exercise medium. It can be | | | | blood flow back to the heart. This assistance to the |
| used as a stand alone exercise medium or part of a | | | | heart accounts for lower blood pressure and heart |
| health related exercise regime. All exercises are | | | | rates during water exercise. |
| performed in water using the hydrodynamic properties | | | | Benefits of Water Therapy & Aqua Exercise |
| of water, with or without water specific equipment e.g. | | | | - Decreases pain |
| aqua mitts, dumbbells, noodles, buoyancy belts and | | | | - Decreases blood pressure |
| much more to add extra resistance and thus a more | | | | - Improves circulation |
| intensive workout. | | | | - Increases bone density |
| Exercising in water decreases joint compression whilst | | | | - Minimises impact on joints |
| increasing range of movement, muscular strength and | | | | - Improves flexibility & range of motion |
| endurance, cardiovascular and cardio respiratory | | | | - Improves motor control |
| fitness. It is excellent for cross training with benefits for | | | | - Improves postural awareness & alignment |
| runners as a way of training without impact, it will | | | | - Decreases oedema |
| increase speed and assist in training for endurance, | | | | - Stimulates production of serotonin |
| without the compression factors of gravity, therefore | | | | Aquatic therapy and exercise is suitable for all ages |
| allowing longer periods of training without fear of injury. | | | | and all abilities ranging from those recovering from an |
| Aquatic exercise is excellent for mind and body | | | | injury, accident or surgery up to elite athletes who are |
| relaxation and stress reduction; coordination and fall | | | | using it as part of their training regime. |
| prevention in the elderly or post injury; anti & post natal | | | | |