Should You Include Aquatic Therapy in Your Back Pain Treatment?

Unfortunately, reports reveal that 8% of adults experience chronic back pain, which limits their daily activities. While the causes and degree of chronic back pain vary, the effects of back pain can quickly debilitate you. In addition, chronic back pain challenges your ability to sit, stand, or even sleep.

You have a range of options available to help manage chronic back pain. One such option is aquatic therapy. This therapy uses the natural buoyancy and resistance of water to help patients move and exercise with less pain. Discover how aquatic therapy helps with back pain management.

Aquatic Therapy Is Low Impact

Back pain is already stressful as it is. You cannot afford to participate in high-impact activities that will add to the pain and take a toll on your mental state.

Aquatic therapy is a low-impact form of exercise, which makes the activity ideal for taking pressure off your joints and back so you can easily move without pain.

In addition, water resistance provides a great way to strengthen muscles and does not put too much strain on your body. As your muscles get stronger, they will better support your spine and joints, which is critical in back pain management.

Aquatic Therapy Is Relaxing

Among the common culprits of chronic back pain is stiffness, which hinders motion range in the joint. Therefore, aquatic therapy comes in handy to stretch your muscles and joints. Unlike high-impact activities, the best part about aquatic therapy is that you won't experience any pain during muscle stretching.

An aquatic therapy pool's warm water can also help relax your muscles, which relieves pain. The movement of the water also massages your muscles to provide additional relaxation. The combination of exercise and relaxation is helpful in chronic back pain reduction. Furthermore, aquatic therapy relaxes the muscles to improve circulation, which goes a long way in back pain management.

Aquatic Therapy Can Improve Balance, Coordination, and Posture

Chronic back pain and lack of balance go hand in hand. The lack of balance and coordination makes it hard for you to exercise without the risk of falling and hurting yourself more.

Aquatic therapy is a safe way to improve balance and coordination; you don't have to worry about falling on hard ground. During aquatic therapy, your muscles stabilize. As you get stronger and more coordinated, you may find it easier to move without pain.

Besides poor balance, chronic back pain can lead to poor posture. Aquatic therapy helps to strengthen the muscles that support the spine, which allows you to stand or sit straight. And as your posture improves, you may find that your chronic back pain decreases.

Aquatic Therapy Is a Long-Term Exercise Solution

Although back pain may force you to give up on high-impact activities such as sports until you get better, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be active. Aquatic therapy can provide a long-term exercise solution that is safe and effective.

The low-impact nature of aquatic therapy means you can continue to exercise even as your pain changes. The water can also provide ongoing pain relief, making it easier to stay active. The exercise is fun, so you don't have to stop when you reach your goal. Instead, you can make this exercise part of your long-term fitness routine without boredom.

Aquatic therapy is a safe and effective way to manage chronic back pain. The low-impact exercises can help to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. We are your go-to provider for all physical therapy needs. We offer a variety of aquatic therapy classes to suit your needs and schedule. Contact us at Advanced Physical Therapy to learn more about our services.