HYDROTHERAPY CAN HELP PROVIDE RELIEF FROM LONG TERM JOINT PAINS
If you are suffering from long term joint pain or arthritis, try hydrotherapy. It has been proven to be beneficial regardless of how joints are affected. Hydrotherapy is routinely recommended for patients who have undergone joint replacement surgery as well as those with back pain, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, but it is also useful in other types of arthritis—and it’s certainly worth a try.
Understanding arthritis and how it affects you
Do you know what happens to your muscles and joints when you have arthritis? Understanding your condition is the first step to managing its effects. A physiotherapist can explain the problem to you in detail and prescribe a recovery program, which may include hydrotherapy.
Improving your fitness
Staying active is extremely important for people with arthritis. Are you afraid that exercising might cause further damage to your joints or increase your pain? Don’t worry—joints are designed for movement, and the tissues and muscles around them weaken if they are not used. Lack of exercise can cause your joints to ultimately become unstable and therefore reduce your range of movement, mobility, and independence. Hydrotherapy exercises can improve your fitness, keep your weight healthy, increase your general mobility and give you more confidence.
Hydrotherapy is ideal for seeking relief from long term joint pains because the exercises are done in a hydrotherapy pool filled with warm water. People who suffer from joint pains often find it much easier to perform exercises in a hydrotherapy pool. Like them, you might also find the warmth to be soothing. The water will support your weight, allowing you to move your muscles and joints without straining them.
What to expect during a hydrotherapy session
You might need to share the pool with other patients during your therapy, but exercises will likely be tailored to your specific needs. Sometimes, you’ll join group sessions with people who have similar conditions.