Did you know that more than 600,000
knee replacement surgeries and more than 300,000 hip replacement surgeries are
performed per year in the United States?
Just those surgeries alone could
keep every public pool in America busy.
Aquatic Therapy is thought to be the safest form of rehabilitation, especially for weight bearing
injuries. The statistics I shared above
tell me that over 900,000 people a year could use a pool to gain strength,
flexibility, and range of motion during post-surgical rehabilitation.
In pool therapy, the water offers
buoyant support for the body, resistance for the muscles and joints, a natural
reduction in pain and a relaxing environment.
It fits perfectly into a well-designed post-surgical therapy program and
provides gradual guided motion that does not overly stress the joints.
But post-surgery is not all pool
based exercise is good for. Water
rehabilitation is known for its almost magical ability to strengthen and repair
injuries before surgery. I’ve seen some
clients, by exercising in the water with diligence and consistency, avoid
surgery all together and often without even getting their hair wet!
It works like this, when water surrounds the exerciser, during the entire
exercise routine, it makes resistance three-dimensional in a virtually gravity
free environment. Depending on the force exerted, the speed of movement, and
the surface area presented, the range of resistance obtained will adjust and
add to the strength and flexibility of the joint or limb. All this happens without nearly the impact
and trauma experienced when exercising on land, thus giving the body time to
heal.
If you are struggling with an injury
and considering a surgery, go to the water!
I believe by starting movement in
water early in a rehabilitation program, the damage that occurs after an injury
- stiffening, loss of circulation, loss of muscle size, and a growing
involvement of other body parts surrounding the injury - can be prevented.
If you want more information about
the benefits of water exercise and post or pre-surgical rehabilitation, or if
you are looking for a year around heated pool where you can improve your
health, come to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
Ask for Karen. I would love to
talk to you more about the benefits and reasons to incorporate water into your
wellness routine. Call 760-565-7467.
