People invest in different types of physical therapy for a whole spectrum of reasons. According to the Professional Therapy Associates, 46% of people who saw a physical therapist did so to relieve back pain. To treat back pain and several other injuries, more and more patients are turning to aquatic therapy, a form of physical therapy that takes place in a pool or body of water. Let's cover three reasons why this therapy style is becoming so popular.

1. Added Resistance

When you do physical therapy out of the water, you must do multiple exercises to hit all the different areas of your body that need attention. When you do aquatic exercises, you'll have the water offering resistance on all sides, working your entire body at once. The physical therapist can add things like weights, buoyancy, and movement exercises to your unique plan as well.

2. Heightened Stability

If you find yourself unsteady on your feet, you can use this type of therapy to avoid slipping and other fall-related injuries during physical exercises. If you lose your balance in the water, you gently fall and get back up. This is one of the main reasons why aquatic therapy is highly recommended for elderly people or those with joint pain.

3. Relaxed Joints

As mentioned above, the thing physical therapy patients really like about swimming is that being in the water takes a lot of pressure off of their joints, especially if they might be carrying some extra weight. The exercises will be low impact, which is good for all your body parts to work without too much strain. You can focus on perfecting your unique physical therapy routine and not on joint pain.

In addition to the three listed above, there are numerous other benefits to aquatic therapy. You can improve your cardiovascular health, reduce your pain, and relax your muscles. You'll be in warm water, which will help your body feel comfortable, and all your muscles will be looser. When you do this consistently, you'll get stronger, and you may even be able to start comfortably exercising on flat ground again.

When most people hear of aquatic therapy, they tend to think of seniors at a nursing home. Older folks are hardly the only people who love this form of physical therapy. It's available for people of all ages! To learn more about our services and professional aquatic physical therapists, call Proactive Rehab Physical Therapy, Aquatic & Wellness Center today.