The Benefits of Aqua Therapy for Sports Injury Treatment
Dhwani Shah
December 17, 2024
‧
4 min read
Before the advent of modern medicine, humankind believed in the use of natural elements to treat illnesses and injuries. Among these, water has been used for various therapeutic practices across cultures since time immemorial. Bathing in sulfur-rich hot springs was a revered medicinal practice for the ancient Greeks, Romans and Japanese, and is still trusted to help in the treatment of skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, owing to their antibacterial and antifungal properties. Water birthing is gaining popularity across the globe for its gentle approach to childbirth. From inhaling steam to cure common colds to applying ice to reduce inflammation, water, in all its forms, is a boon for the human body.
Enter aquatic therapy, a revolutionary therapy gaining popularity in the modern day for its ability to safely treat injuries and help in injury recovery. This alternative treatment is especially useful for sports injury rehabilitation, where the injury affects not only physical performance, but can also take a toll on mental well-being. For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, aqua therapy offers a promising way to deal with the challenging setbacks of sports injuries and support the journey to healing.
So, let’s dive into the world of aquatic therapy and its important role in sports injury treatment.
Aquatic therapy, also known as aqua therapy or hydrotherapy, is a form of physical therapy that involves performing exercises and activities in a water-based environment, such as a swimming pool, to assist in rehabilitation and recovery. The buoyancy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure exerted by water create an ideal setting for low-impact exercise, which can facilitate healing and injury recovery with more ease and less pain. Aquatic therapy is often performed in combination with land-based therapies under the supervision and care of a trained professional.
Aquatic therapy is simply an alternative form of physical therapy; while physical therapy takes place on land, aqua therapy takes place in water. Aqua therapy is growing in popularity as a safe and effective treatment option, thanks to the benefits it offers over land-based therapy. While the activities and exercises performed during aqua therapy are similar to those practiced during traditional physical therapy, the aquatic environment is gentler on the muscles and joints, significantly alleviating aches and pains. Moreover, water also minimizes the chances of falling, reducing the likelihood of further injury.
Here are the top 5 benefits of aquatic therapy associated with sports injury recovery and rehabilitation:
Have you experienced that feeling of near-weightlessness as you float in a pool? Like you’re gliding on a cloud, while the water carries you effortlessly? This is the result of buoyancy, the upward force exerted by water on objects immersed in it.
When submerged up to the neck, water’s buoyancy reduces almost 90% of a person’s weight. This reduction in weight reduces the stress on joints, muscles and bones and in turn, the intensity of the pain. As opposed to the strain experienced while exercising on hard surfaces like land, water-based environments allow patients to perform gentler, low-impact movements without experiencing severe pain.
If you’ve ever tried water walking, you know it's a lot more difficult than it looks. While you may think this low-impact cardio exercise is just like walking on land (I mean, how hard could that be?), it requires a lot more effort and power.
Water is denser than air, and its natural viscosity offers more resistance to movement, requiring a person to exert more force to perform actions and exercises in water than on land. The extra force applied to overcome resistance builds muscle strength without having to lift heavy weights, which could stress and further damage bones and tissues in the midst of injury recovery. As your musculoskeletal system works to conquer the resistance placed upon it, your cardiovascular system develops endurance and boosts stamina.
Soaking your legs in warm water with salt is a common remedy for swelling, pain and muscle tension. That's because warm water relaxes muscles and joints, consequently improving flexibility and range of motion in stiff joints. This increased mobility makes it easier to move the body comfortably and perform exercises that aid in faster recovery.
The proper flow of oxygen and blood throughout the body is essential for maintaining healthy organ function, heart health, brain health, and effective wound healing. When you exercise in the pool, water exerts hydrostatic pressure on your body, which naturally promotes blood circulation. This increased blood flow helps reduce swelling and inflammation, alleviates joint stiffness, improves joint mobility, and as a result, accelerates the healing process.
Imagine someone pushing you hard on land versus in water. On land, chances are, you’d almost immediately fall to the ground and likely risk hurting yourself, but in water, your descent would be slower. You wouldn’t even fall to the bottom of the pool, almost as if the water were catching you as you fell and pushing you back.
Compared to land-based physical therapy, water-based therapy minimizes the chances of aggravating injuries, especially with patients that struggle with balance, stability and coordination. The water’s resistance and pressure slow down movement and cushion any falls, helping the patient carefully regain balance and posture. This environment reduces the fear of falling and inflicting further injuries, allowing the patient to regain confidence and recover in a safe, controlled space.
Aqua therapy can also boost mental well-being, which is an equally important component of the process of recovering from an injury or illness. The soothing, therapeutic effect of water can calm the nervous system and reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the injury. Moreover, cold water immersion has been proven to trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood boosters, aiding mood management and emotional regulation.
Aquatic therapy can be effective in treating a wide range of sports injuries including:
Aquatic therapy can also help with conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.
Aquatic therapy is more than just a rehabilitation tool; it’s a smoother experience for faster, stronger, and less painful recovery. When patients feel comfortable and confident, they are more likely to look forward to therapy and see quicker, positive outcomes.
If you’re a sports academy dedicated to nurturing strong, successful athletes, try Classcard. Our feature-packed and easy-to-use sports academy management software allows you to schedule classes, manage bookings, track attendance and payment and much more. We help your business reach its full potential while you help your athletes reach theirs!