Rehabilitation after spinal surgery can be long
and complicated by continued pain, weakness and sensory changes. In
addition, most people with prolonged back pain before surgery have
adapted abnormal postures and movement patterns, creating muscle
imbalance and a loss of flexibility. The low-impact environment of
aquatic physical therapy can start the road to recovery.
Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
Water
exercise, or aquatic therapy, has been used to enhance traditional
physical therapy programs since the early 1900s. Water has several
properties that reduce strain and workload on joints and muscles.
Buoyancy reduces the effects of gravity on the body, eliminating up to 90 percent of your body weight in chest-deep water. The viscosity of water creates resistance to movement and can increase strength benefits compared to land-based activities.
Hydrostatic pressure has been shown to decrease swelling in extremity joints. Most aquatic physical therapy pools are heated and have the added benefit of muscle relaxation and decreased joint spasticity.
Buoyancy reduces the effects of gravity on the body, eliminating up to 90 percent of your body weight in chest-deep water. The viscosity of water creates resistance to movement and can increase strength benefits compared to land-based activities.
Hydrostatic pressure has been shown to decrease swelling in extremity joints. Most aquatic physical therapy pools are heated and have the added benefit of muscle relaxation and decreased joint spasticity.
Effectiveness of Aquatic Environment
A
2010 study published in the "Archives of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation" compared the effects of backward walking exercises in an
aquatic environment to traditional land-based progressive resistive
exercises on lower back muscle strength in patients after a lumbar
diskectomy. The results showed improvement in both study groups,
indicating that the aquatic environment is just as effective as
land-based activities for increasing spinal msucle strength.
Postoperative Program
Aquatic
therapy is a good addition to land-based physical therapy, but is only
one component of your recuperation. As you progress through your therapy
program, you will gradually be introduced to land-based activities as
well.
Your physical therapist may initiate ai chi -- an aquatic form of tai chi -- activities in the pool to assist you with body awareness and pain control. Some facilities have an underwater treadmill to help you work on proper walking form, strengthening and posture with less stress and pressure on your spine.
Your physical therapist may initiate ai chi -- an aquatic form of tai chi -- activities in the pool to assist you with body awareness and pain control. Some facilities have an underwater treadmill to help you work on proper walking form, strengthening and posture with less stress and pressure on your spine.
Other Considerations
You
should avoid the aquatic environment if you have an open incision,
active infection, seizures, bowel incontinence or bladder incontinence.
If you're on home oxygen or have heart problems, you may be unable to
tolerate aquatic physical therapy.
If you are obese or have multiple sclerosis, you may not be able to tolerate water temperatures greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Some facilities may have times throughout the day with lower water temperatures to accommodate people with special needs.
If you are obese or have multiple sclerosis, you may not be able to tolerate water temperatures greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Some facilities may have times throughout the day with lower water temperatures to accommodate people with special needs.
0 commentaire
إرسال تعليق