Healing Properties of Water
Reasons to Consider Water Exercise Therapy as a Healing Alternative
Water activities are an excellent way to get fit and get well. The unique physical properties of water provide an ideal healing environment for exercise and therapy and can have several advantages over land-based programs.
Some of the Advantages of Aquatic Therapy (Hydrotherapy or Water Therapy)
You will find, for example, that the natural buoyancy of water reduces weight-bearing stress. This allows you greater ease of movement with less strain on your bones, joints, and muscles. The increased density of water creates even and fluid resistance in all directions, comfortably toning and strengthening your muscles while allowing you to move with greater balance and efficiency.
All of these properties of water work together to create a healing environment in which to move:
- Density
- Turbulence
- Resistance
- Buoyancy
- Hydrostatic pressure
- Thermal conductivity / Thermodynamics
The following topics will further explain how each of these properties work, and the physical benefits they can produce when you follow a program of hydrotherapy.
REFERENCES:
- Aquatic Therapy – Scientific Foundations and Clinical Rehabilitation Applications, Clinical Review by Bruce E. Becker, MD, MS
- Poyhonen, T., Keskinen, K.L., Hautala, A., Malkia, E. Determination of hydrodynamic drag forces and drag coefficients on human leg/foot model during knee exercise. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2000;15:256–260.
