Aquatic Therapy for Arthritis | Peak Physical Therapy | Scituate MA

According to the CDC, over 54 million people suffer from some type of arthritis. Arthritis is a very common condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints. There are over 100 types of arthritis that people of all ages, sexes, and races can experience, however, it is most common in women and is more frequently seen as people age. Arthritis can cause permanent joint damage, so it is important to work towards finding treatment and preserving function as soon as it is spotted.

Symptoms

The more common symptoms of arthritis are swelling, stiffness, and a decrease in range of motion or strength in and around the joints. Symptoms can be mild to severe and can worsen over time. Experiencing severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, and make daily activities such as walking difficult and uncomfortable. Symptoms also include shifts and changes within the joint. Some changes such as swelling in the fingers or knee joints are visible to the naked eye, but most of the damage can only be seen using an X-ray. Peak Physical Therapy Scituate MA is prepared to develop a treatment plan and to decide whether aquatic therapy will improve your mobility and strength for everyday activities.

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy that Peak Physical Therapy Scituate MA offers patients experiencing not only arthritis but a plethora of other ailments as well. Physical rehabilitation and exercise in water have many benefits that aid in the joint recovery process and overall health. In addition, the ability to swim does not determine whether aquatic therapy is right for you. Equipment is provided to generate the utmost levels of safety and comfort while completing your therapy sessions. This means that the opportunities for growth and comfort are endless.

Benefits of Aquatic Therapy

Therapy on land can pose difficult or painful to those who experience joint discomfort. At Peak Physical Therapy Scituate MA, specially trained therapists are ready to start the rehabilitation process if aquatic therapy is right for you.

• It is low impact. The jarring motion of running or jumping and the constant load of gravity that bears down on the body seem to disappear while being in the water. This is because the buoyancy of water reduces pressure on the joints by supporting most of your body weight. This allows for people who are not able to put full weight on limbs to complete stretches and exercises they otherwise might not be able to accomplish.
• Strengthens motion and flexibility. Due to the buoyancy the body has in the water, the ability to complete activities improves tremendously. By reducing pressure on the joints, and increasing the blood flow in the body, it enables you to complete stretches and exercises that one might not be able to complete on land. The water also offers resistance during any movement without restricting your range of motion. This resistance in return helps tone the muscles being used and minimizes the fear of falling over.
• Year-Round Availability. The summer months open many options for personal aquatic exercises, however, when the weather turns cold again, indoor pools are the only option. At Peak Physical Therapy, the indoor pool enables patients to continuously work on rehabilitating their joints and muscles back to peak performance.

Peak Physical Therapy Scituate MA

Our South Shore Physical Therapy practice specializes in physical therapy including many specialty programs including return-to-sports, vestibular, pelvic health, post-concussion, aquatics, and more. Locations include physical therapy Scituate, MA, Norwell, MA, Quincy, MA, Hanover, MA, Pembroke, MA, and Braintree, MA. Our specialized programs combined with state-of-the-art facilities allow us to meet the unique needs of our local patients and achieve the fastest results. If you are unsure whether this type of treatment can help you, we offer a no-obligation FREE injury screening. Click here for more information.