Rehabilitation: Aquatic Exercise (Aquatherapy)

Aquatic therapy harnesses unique properties of water to facilitate movement: buoyancy reduces weight bearing by 50 to 90 percent depending on immersion depth, hydrostatic pressure produces edema reduction and improved venous return, viscosity provides graduated resistance with movement speed, and warm water temperature (32 to 35 degrees Celsius) reduces muscle spasm and pain.

Indications include osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, post-surgical orthopedic recovery, neurological conditions (multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson disease, cerebral palsy), spinal cord injury, and elderly deconditioning. Programs include range of motion exercises, strengthening with water resistance or floats, gait training, balance and proprioception work, and aerobic conditioning.

Contraindications include open wounds, severe cardiac or pulmonary failure, uncontrolled epilepsy, fever or active infection, and severe incontinence. Water depth, temperature, and equipment (noodles, float belts, kickboards, hand paddles) are tailored to goals. Sessions typically last 30 to 60 minutes two to three times weekly for 6 to 12 weeks.