Hydrotherapy is an exercise regimen delivered in warm water. The water is often approximately 34 degrees celcius but this can be adjusted based on the condition being treated.
Hydrotherapy will often be done in swimming pools or in special hydrotherapy pools. Other names for hydrotherapy are aqua-therapy, water cure, or hydropathy.
In this article, I will elaborate on the different values of hydrotherapy but before we delve into that, I’m sure you want to know how exactly water therapy works.
How does hydrotherapy work?
Well, there are numerous ways hydrotherapy can be administered and this includes, using hot packs, cold packs, saunas, shower enemas, pools, compresses, baths to mention a few.
In this article though, we shall discuss on use of pools.
Aqua-therapy eliminates gravity, gives a positive effect of buoyancy, and leads to increased muscle relaxation and decreased joint compression which all work in favor of anyone recovering.
Functions of hydrotherapy.
- It is a great way to exercise.
Being able to exercise is a privilege for most people. In the elderly, it’s even harder and rare due to many underlying health conditions with the associated pain.
This is made easier with hydrotherapy where buoyancy reduces the weight-bearing stresses on joints, bones, and muscles and makes exercising fun and better than land-based exercises.
2. Improves the muscle strength
With increased physical activity, there is increased muscle strength due to neural adaptation.
Water itself gives resistance during activity and in a way, this contributes to muscle toning and strength.
Even if this muscle strength becomes evident at about 6 weeks during the hydrotherapy, it greatly improves in the activities of daily living.
3. Improved mental state
This may be secondary to the improved level of independence when the exercises are done.
In some studies, elderly patients were noted to require less medication, sleep better and have less stress when they were on a hydrotherapy regimen
4. Increased cardiorespiratory function
Hydrotherapy is a great aerobic workout. The fact that elderly individuals are able to move around in water is an exercise in itself and this definitely improves the circulation of blood.
5. It improves balance
In this study which used the Berg balance scale and the Timed Up and go tests to assess for balance and coordination, it showed that elderly patients improved their balance following hydrotherapy exercises.
6. It reduces the risk of falls
Poor balance is one of the main causes of falls in the elderly in addition to poor eyesight, cardiorespiratory conditions, and use of psychotropic medication to mention a few.
So to build on the previous point, following the development of better balance, many of the elderly patients had a reduced risk of falls and hence fewer fall-related injuries.
7. Reduced consumption of painkillers
Most elderly patients doing hydrotherapy physiotherapy will reduce the number of painkillers they take when they start this activity.
During physical activity, natural painkillers called endorphins are released, making the need for large bouts of analgesia irrelevant.
8. Improved quality of life.
And to wind it off, with improved balance, reduced pain, better mood, and better sleep, most elderly patients are able to attend to their daily activities with confidence.
Now, who wouldn’t want that !!
In conclusion, hydrotherapy refers to an exercise regimen that is delivered in water. It has mostly been used for the elderly but works for all age groups.
Hydrotherapy routines improve muscle strength, mental state, and balance while reducing the risk of falls and are great for elderly patients who want to stay active.
