Working out in water, commonly known as hydrotherapy can be an effective method of physical rehabilitation for people with certain ailments or injuries. The healing properties of water can help reduce inflammation of joints, alleviate pain and reduce swelling from an injury.

If you’ve been injured in an accident or have chronic joint pain from arthritis, your doctor may recommend hydrotherapy instead of traditional physical therapy. Hydrotherapy is typically done under the supervision of a physical therapist or a physical therapy assistant with specialized training.

What Is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy uses water to treat chronic health conditions and injuries. The water can be either warm or cold depending on the symptoms it’s meant to treat. Working out in water puts less strain on joints and muscles due to the buoyancy of the human body, which is ideal if you’re trying to recover from injuries or surgery.

There are several locations where hydrotherapy can take place, including swimming pools, baths, physical therapy tanks and whirlpool spas.

Types of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy encompasses a number of practices, ranging from rehabilitation exercise to relaxing water baths. The hydrotherapy your doctor or physical therapist recommends will depend on your condition and health goals.

Aquatic Physical Therapy

Aquatic therapy refers to exercises performed in the water, such as swimming pool workouts. The treatment plan is designed by a physical therapist and tailored to each patient’s individual needs. The therapy usually takes place in a pool designed for water therapy. Such pools tend to be small, relatively shallow and equipped with special features, like handrails, floaty dumbbells, swim rings and sometimes even running belts.

Water Circuit Therapy

Water circuit therapy involves alternating between different water treatments to take advantage of the benefits each one has to offer. For example, spending time in a sauna increases blood flow and reduces stress, while taking a cold bath or plunging in a pool with cold water tends to alleviate pain and reduce joint inflammation.

Immersion Therapy

As the name suggests, immersion therapy involves immersing yourself in water to experience pain relief, reduce swelling or boost the immune system. Immersion therapy could entail ice baths, cold plunges and hot tubs with jet massages.

Steam Baths

Steam baths involve spending time in a steam-filled room to reap a variety of physical and mental health benefits. People who immerse themselves in steam can experience improved circulation, diminished joint pain and stiffness, lower blood pressure and reduced stress. You should consult your doctor before using a steam room, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition like heart disease or low blood pressure.

Injuries and Conditions Hydrotherapy Can Treat

Hydrotherapy can treat various bone and soft tissue injuries as well as certain chronic conditions:

• Back injuries
• Neck injuries
• Head injuries
• Broken limbs
• Sprains and strains
• Muscle injuries
• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Skin burns
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cerebral palsy

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

If you’re trying to recover from a car accident injury or find relief from symptoms of a chronic condition, hydrotherapy can offer a plethora of benefits and reduce your reliance on medication or invasive treatments.

Unlike “dry” physical therapy, which takes place in a gym or at home, hydrotherapy uses buoyancy to reduce strain on joints and allow for a more gradual buildup of strength. This becomes especially important if your injuries necessitate gentle movements that don’t increase the risk of further injury.

Additional benefits of hydrotherapy include:

• Pain relief
• Increased mobility
• Increased range of motion
• Stronger muscles
• Reduced inflammation
• Reduced muscle spasms
• Increased blood circulation
• Elevated mood

Find Fast Relief from Your Car Accident Injuries with HURT911 in Georgia

Have you been in a car accident in Atlanta and the resulting injuries are causing you physical and mental pain? Consider getting comprehensive injury care from our dedicated team of medical doctors and chiropractors.

To schedule an appointment at one of our Georgia locations, call 1-800-HURT-911.