The Healing Power of Pools: Recovery and Exercise Post-Injury
If you need a way to rehabilitate while still getting exercise without the stress, then your pool may be the way to go. Shallow water exercise and other aquatic exercises are not just for summer fun, but are an invaluable resource for recovery and rehab, too. So now, let's find out how your pool can heal an injury.
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The Low-Impact Magic of Swimming
It is one of the true low impact exercises that allow you to exercise while avoiding more stress on your joints and also your muscles. This is key to reducing stiffness and encouraging healing. While other forms of exercise even walking can place a load on the body, swimming is supportive of your own body weight a lot more and is not as stressful on the joints. Especially those who are rehabbing injuries or suffer from chronic conditions.
Non-Weight-Bearing Benefits
After an injury, your doctor will likely tell you to stay off your feet. For this reason, swimming is an ideal no-weight-bearing practice, since you feel almost weight-free in the water. It lessens the burden on the joints and muscles that need to repair themselves. You may have to experiment to find a stroke that exerts the least amount of stress on your injured area. A backstroke can be especially beneficial for back injuries, since the water will hold your back supported when you are swimming.
Active Stretching and Flexibility
Keeping active during the recovery process is also key. Active stretching keeps muscles relaxed and loose and swimming is an excellent active stretch. The water gives you resistance when you move slowly, providing an effective and gentle stretch to your range of motion; whether it is your shoulders, arms, legs, or anything in between, you can work at maintaining or improving your range of motion.
Aerobic Exercise for Overall Fitness
Perhaps the most frustrating part of injury is just not being active and capable of maintaining your fitness. Swimming is a wonderful aerobic workout that helps you maintain your cardiovascular system in shape as you heal. It is a whole-body workout which can keep you fit without stressing your injury.
Neural Regeneration and Healing
Studies indicate it is good for neural repair, so if you are recovering from a nerve injury you should swim to speed up healing time! That makes this swimming not only neurological but also neurological workout to repair the damaged nerves.
Why Pools are So Effective
The buoyancy of water is a force that counteracts the swimmer's weight, supporting the body and protecting the joints. This buoyancy can shield your joints while the water's resistance enhances the efficiency of your workout. Since swimming is non-weight-bearing, it's particularly helpful for back pain. Utilizing different swimming strokes or positions can help alleviate back pressure, as water provides support.
Pool Therapy Exercises for Specific Conditions
Swimming pool training movements have a unique flexibility in terms of both rehabilitation and physical training. For those who suffer from arthritis and are feeling joint pain, gentle range-of-motion exercises in warm water can bring a great deal of relief. Because the water provides buoyancy and a soft base for movement, slow, controlled arm and leg circles help promote flexibility in and around sore joints without adding undue pressure to nerve-rich areas.
When you are recovering from an operation, activity in the water exercises can speed up your progress. For example, after knee surgery, such exercises as walking in shallow water, leg lifts, and gentle knee bends all help you regain strength and range of motion while minimizing the chance of re-injury.
Coordinating exercises to help build balance and muscle strength are essential for those suffering from neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's These exercises can be done safely thanks to the water, which supports you in ways not possible on land. Try standing on one leg and swing your arms, for example, or practice walking in shallow water heel-toe to improve balance and your ability to tell the position of your body in space.
Complementary Aquatic Therapies
While pool therapy exercises form the cornerstone of aquatic rehabilitation and fitness, several complementary therapies can enhance your healing journey. Float Pod Therapy offers a unique experience that can complement your pool therapy routine. This form of therapy involves floating in a sensory deprivation tank, which can help reduce stress, alleviate pain, and promote deep relaxation.
For those looking to add an element of adventure to their aquatic therapy, Scuba Therapy provides an exciting option. This innovative approach combines the therapeutic benefits of being in water with the psychological boost of exploring underwater environments, offering potential benefits for both physical and mental health.
Incorporating Pool Therapy into Your Routine
Incorporating pool therapy into your routine can be as simple as adding a few sessions a week. Whether you're swimming laps, doing water aerobics, or focusing on specific rehabilitation exercises, the key is consistency. Start with gentle exercises and gradually increase the intensity as your body heals and strengthens.
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About the author
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the realm of pool design, construction, and maintenance. His love for swimming pools originated in his childhood, and over the years, this passion has evolved into a deep understanding and expertise within the pool industry. As a blog writer for Beatbot, Nathanael is dedicated to sharing his wealth of experience and insights with a wider audience, aiming to enhance and enrich people's outdoor living experiences.
