Splish and Splash Your Way to a Pain Free Summer!
Hydrotherapy is a great way to cool off from the hot New Mexico sun and relieve pain, increase strength, balance, and coordination, while in a fun, no stress environment. Chronic pain, acute pain, weakness, balance restrictions, swelling? Hydrotherapy has something for everyone.
Sometimes everyday activities like walking or simply moving your arm against the force of gravity can be painful and feel impossible. About sixteen million adults have experienced back pain while 70% of people over the age of 65 have osteoarthritis somewhere in their body making just getting out of bed in the morning a struggle. You want to get up, you want to find a fun, safe way to improve your condition; HIT THE POOL!
There are so many benefits to hydrotherapy and has a little something to offer just about anyone.
First, the buoyancy of the water “unweights” the joints in your body providing relief from osteoarthritis, decreasing the stress on your spine relieving low back pain, and even increasing range of motion. Move into deeper or shallower water to manipulate this effect to suite your personal preference.
Perfect way to decrease the strain on your low back using the water’s buoyancy
Next, the temperature of the water, if cold, can help decrease pain and swelling and, if warm, helps relax the muscles and increases blood flow. This will help with pain, spasms, and even Fibromyalgia symptoms.
Another great benefit comes from the hydrostatic pressure of the water creating a perpendicular pressure to the joints of the body, reducing swelling.
Finally, the viscosity produced by the water aids in strengthening of the muscles in an environment safe from falling and in fact, can help improve your overall balance. Look below for a few basic hydrotherapy exercises just to get started.
BALANCE ACTIVITY
Balance and core strengthening activity
Balance, core activation, and upper extremity strengthening activity
Balance and hip strengthening activity
Keep these ideas in mind to help you enjoy the most pain free summer possible. The best part is you can do just about anything in the water so you can create a routine that is perfect just for you!
