Hydro Therapy

Hydrotherapy ExercisesHydrotherapy Exercises such as floating, general body movements, stretches, andwalking in water are beneficial, as water's natural buoyancy allows freedomofmovement without jarringor strainingthe body. Its natural resistance encouragesstrengtheningof themuscles, andits uniueproperties alleviate pain andfacilitateimproved health.Hydrotherapy DefinitionHydrotherapy also known as water physical therapy and auatic physical therapy is theuseof awater environment tocarryout exercisewhilst beingabletochangetheintensityofthemovement!afeaturewhichisnotpossibleoutofwater."ecausethebody is buoyant, the water allows for more exercise to be carried out than on land, whilethe increase in temperature and pressure encourages circulation and flexibility. #his is aparticularlyeffectiveandcomfortablewayfor patients torehabilitatefroma sportsinjury. #hepool itselfisspeciallydesignedtocaterforhydrotherapy treatment.$amely,thewatertemperatureishotterthantheaverageswimmingpool, withtemperaturesataround %& degrees the norm to allow patients' muscles to relax and promote movement.#he water in the pool is warm, and is maintained at 3337C.Father Sebastian Kneipp, a ()th century "avarian monk, is said to be the father ofhydrotherapy. *neipp believed that disease could be cured by using water to eliminatewaste from the body. +rawing of Vincent Priessnitz ,(-))!(.&(/, supporter of hydrotherapy and founderof a spa.Benefits of Hydrotherapy !ercisesHydrotherapy Exercises can0 increase mobility reduce pain and muscle spasm improve and maintain joint range of movement strengthen weak muscle groups increase physical fitness and functional tolerances re!educate normal movement patterns improve balance improve co!ordination improve posture improve self confidence stimulate circulation"ar# $p and Coo% Do&n Hydrotherapy !ercises1arming up before exercising prevents muscle strain and injury. 2ubmerge your bodyandallowyourmusclestorelax, thenwalkinthewaterforfiveminutestogetyourcirculation flowing. 2pend another five minutes stretching while standing in the water,holdingeachstretchfor(3seconds. "eginwithstretchingyourlegs!!thighs, hips,calves, shins and buttocks. 4ove on to stretching your back, chest, and torso, then rollyour shoulders and your neck. 2top at any point that causes pain. 5fter you completeyour workout, perform the same stretches, holding each for 63 seconds, before leavingthe pool.Cardio Workout7sing a flotation vest or aua noodle to keep you upright, perform aerobic exercisesforfive to (& minutes. 1alk or run backwards and forwards or do jumping jacks or dancemoves to elevate your heart rate. If you begin to feel weak or di88y, rest for a moment orchange activities.Upper Body Exercises2ittingorstandinginthepool, gentlymoveeachjointthroughacompleterangeofmotion, repeatingthree toeight times as tolerated. "eginwithyour shoulders byreaching your arms forward and upward, then out to the side. 1ith your arms belowwater level, makesmall circles, thenlarger andlarger ones, first inwardandthenoutward. "end your elbows, then straighten your arms. #urn your wrists in circles, thenbendthemforwardandbackward. #ouchthefingersofonehandlightlyagainstthethumb. 4ake fists with your hands, then straighten the fingers.Lower Body Exercises2ittinginthepool withbacksupported, straightenyourkneeandbendtheankle,pointing the toes. 9url toes down, thenstraightenthemout. 9ircle your ankles,clockwise and then counter clockwise. 2lowly raise one foot up to straighten out yourknee, then bend the knee again. :ift one knee and hug towards your chest, hands underthethighsoroverthekneetoassistwiththestretch.2ittingforward,straightenoneknee and slowly move the leg out to the side, hold for three seconds, then bring it backto the centre. 2tanding with your left side to the auatic physical therapy pool wall andholding the wall with your left hand, raise your right leg forward with the knee straight,hold for five seconds, then swing the leg backward. ;aise leg forward again, swing it outto the side, hold for five seconds and cross it in front of your body. ;epeat with the rightleg. oint ill 4. #hein, 4 5thl #rain. 6333 >ul!2epC %&,%/0 %.6M%.). 9hoi >H, *im "; et al. 9omparison of 9ardiorespiratory ;esponses +uring 5uatic and:and#readmill Exercisein9ardiopulm;ehabil