Page 36 - Waterfall City Issue 10 October 2023

Waterfall City News

A study that examined the effects of
aquatic therapy (active modalities
only) on joint flexibility and
functional ability in subjects suffering
from arthritic conditions concluded
that aquatic therapy is an effective
way of increasing joint flexibility and
functional ability while reducing
pain and difficulty with tasks. Since
osteoarthritis of the knee often
presents after repair of the anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL), aquatic
therapy is used to accelerate recovery
times and maintain greater functional
ability.
Norton et al. reported that patients Another wonderful fact about
rehabilitating after an ACL surgical buoyancy (together with density and
repair acquired range of motion viscosity, to be more accurate) is that
(ROM) faster with aquatic therapy it allows the patient to work specific
than with traditional treatment. muscle groups that stabilise a joint
without needing to move the joint
Let’s explore why we see such results. itself. This is especially useful in acute
As a medium, water offers the pain or severe inflammation, and it
following properties: can help sportspeople to maintain
their strength without exacerbating
• Buoyancy – the cushion an existing condition.
effect
1
The varying depths of the pool An example is the application of a water
allow the therapist to tailor Pilates deep-water swing to strengthen
weightlessness/weight-bearing to the core three-dimensionally when
be used in progression. For example, there is inflammation in the vertebral
in osteoarthritis of the spine, pelvic column. The entire length of the body
girdle, knees or ankles, deep water stays rigid while swinging in various
exercise is typically used to unload planes (please don’t try this without
joints, decreasing pain and muscle facilitation as there is a risk of hyper-
spasm – in this way, allowing extension). Since water is 800 times
increased ROM and function in the denser than air and offers 12 times the
affected joints. resistance, doubling the speed of a
movement quadruples the resistance,
Weight-bearing can gradually be and we can tailor the pace to challenge
introduced to train specific muscle the six-pack of even the strongest
groups, once again tailored to the athlete.
patient’s individual capacity for
movement, strength and stamina. Add turbulence to the water, and
(besides improving circulation)
Since these limits change from one we test balance even further,
day to the next, the water meets the encouraging the engagement of
patient precisely where the patient muscles in several planes.
needs to be met. This is one of the
unique characteristics of water: All this dispels the idea that
it provides an efficient, low-risk hydrotherapy is just for old ladies
environment that auto-tunes itself to in shower caps. It’s for everyone,
the needs of the patient. no matter your age, size or joint
condition.

1 Buoyancy is defined as the upward thrust of water. It is based on the Archimedes Principle: “When a
body at rest is partially or wholly immersed in any fluid, it experiences an upward thrust equal to the
PHOTO BY NORK PHOTOGRAPHY weight of the fluid displaced.”

34 Waterfall City Issue 10 2023