Aquatic Therapy as Stroke Rehab

Welcome back! Last week I talked about how children with autism spectrum disorders can benefit from aquatic therapy both behaviorally and physically. Similarly, aquatic therapy has much to offer to stroke victims. This week, I will discuss why aquatic therapy is an effective form of stroke rehabilitation.

After a stroke, an individual may experience muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body.  Exercises must be done to help activate the affected muscles and regain strength. The water provides resistance that aids in increasing muscle strength. This is important so that the survivor can regain their “muscle performance, motor skills, and flexibility” to return to their daily occupations (Kilcullen, 2015).

Traditional stroke rehabilitation generally takes place in a gym. The unconventional setting of the pool allows the patient greater mobility because the water decreases their body weight. Additionally, the water allows greater flexibility and balance. In turn, the client is able to move their body in the water with much less strain than on land (Kilcullen, 2015). Lastly, the warm pool water has the ability to relieve chronic pain that many stroke victims are left with.

Stroke victims can greatly benefit by moving their rehab from the gym to the pool! Stay tuned for my next post on aquatic therapy next week!

References:

Kilcullen, W. (2015). Aquatic Therapy after a Stroke. Retrieved from http://www.strokenetwork.org/newsletter/therapies/aquatic.htm 

Aquatic Therapy and Autism

Welcome back! Last week I talked about how the physical properties of water make the pool an ideal setting for therapy. While many people facing a physical ailment or disability can reap the benefits of aquatic therapy, I wanted to discuss how aquatic therapy can help those with autism spectrum disorders specifically.

Autism is a life-long, neurological and biological disability that affects roughly 2 out of 1000 babies born (Jake, 2003). Those with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis exhibit delays in language development, uneven patterns of intellectual functioning and difficulties with socialization (Jake, 2003). There are many therapeutic interventions that can help children with autism spectrum disorders function in everyday life. Aquatic therapy is one of these therapeutic interventions that is especially effective.

Children with autism spectrum disorders tend to have sensory difficulties. Many of them either under-react or overreact to stimuli present in their environment. The warm water in the pool along with the hydrostatic pressure work together to calm their nervous systems as well as supply them with constant sensory input that physically suppresses their nervous systems and calms them (Jake, 2003). In addition, play-based aquatic therapy can help the children improve their range of motion, help improve their body awareness, increase balance, and promote neurological development (Jake, 2003).

Along with the physical and neurological benefits that aquatic therapy has to offer to those with autism spectrum disorders, aquatic therapy also gives the children an opportunity to have fun! There are endless amounts of pool games available that feel more like play than therapy. If there is more than one child participating in therapy, there is the added bonus of socialization for the children.  

Aquatic therapy is a game-changer when it comes to fun, effective therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders. Next week I will explore the benefits that aquatic therapy has on stroke victims. Stay tuned!

References:

Jake, L. (2003, September 01). Autism and the role of Aquatic Therapy in Recreational Therapy Treatment Services. Therapeutic Recreation Directory.

The Benefits of Water in Aquatic Therapy

Welcome back! Today I want to touch on why aquatic therapy is so beneficial. Aquatic therapy has the ability to help individuals facing all types of physical ailments and disabilities. Why though? What is it about aquatic therapy that is yielding such great physical outcomes for those participating?  The answer is simple, the water.

Unlike traditional physical and occupational therapy that takes place on land, aquatic therapy takes place in a pool. The water in the pool has physical properties that make it optimal for therapeutic purposes. These properties include:  buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and viscosity.            

Buoyancy: Because the human body is less dense than water, the body is naturally buoyant. This buoyancy allows for those with balance deficits to be able to remain upright while performing exercises in water (Becker).  This is especially beneficial to those that cannot stand upright on their own.

Hydrostatic pressure: Hydrostatic pressure is the force exerted on the body from the surrounding water. The hydrostatic pressure present in water helps decrease physical pain and helps to improve range of motion (Becker). This pressure is also calming for the entire nervous system because of the feeling of “compression” the water provides.

Viscosity: Water is highly viscous which provides resistance during exercise. The resistance of the water helps to tone and strengthen muscles without the use of weights (Becker).

Aquatic therapy is an under utilized therapy method that has the potential to help many people with: spinal cord injuries, autism, down syndrome and arthritis. Over the next few weeks, I will be delving into how aquatic therapy helps each of these conditions specifically.

See you next week!

References:

Bruce E. Becker, Aquatic Therapy: Scientific Foundations and Clinical Rehabilitation Applications, PM&R, Volume 1, Issue 9, September 2009, Pages 859-872, ISSN 1934-1482, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2009.05.017

http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/05/creative-therapy-why-aquatic-therapy_pageall.html