Aquatic Exercise

Aquatic therapy has shown to have some benefits for patients that come into our office and is often something we suggest. Some programs may be specifically designed to help deal with low back and neck pain, but there are other conditions that would benefit greatly from being in the water, such as:

• Osteoarthritis – this involves the narrowing of joint spaces and the degenerative changes of our bones
• Physical Disabilities – this includes individuals who are unable to control fully the movement of certain body parts
• Muscle strains – this involves trauma to muscles or tendons
• Osteoporosis – this involves the decreased density in our bones, which makes individuals more prone to fractures at advanced stages

Individuals with all these conditions may find it harder or harmful to remain active with land-based exercises because of the high force and impact of the harder surfaces on their bodies. However, aquatic exercises have shown to be a gentler form of exercise, still adding the proper resistance, and often done in warm temperatures to keep the body comfortable. Water allows for more buoyancy, counteracting the effects of gravity on the body, which has shown to improve balance and body control. There’s peace of mind knowing that when you lift your leg in the water, there’s no fear of losing your balance. The resistance of the water also allows for strength and conditioning and adds to cardiovascular health by adding enough resistance to get the heart pumping through these exercises. The goal is to not only decrease pain but improve overall function and mobility. New research has also shown that aquatic therapy has shown to be beneficial for those with diabetes and high blood pressure in reducing symptoms and making them more manageable. You don’t have to do all your exercises in the water. You can also consider combining water-based and land-based exercises into your exercise program to benefit from both worlds. So before you sign up for a gym, or start a new exercise program, aquatic therapy/exercise is one thing to consider before you start an active lifestyle.

If you’d like more information about what exercises are suitable for YOUR body, do not hesitate to contact us. If you would like to find out more about how our Mississauga chiropractors can help you with your overall health, please call our office at 905-821-4951.