Taking full advantage of aquatic principles, therapists utilize pelvic and lower extremity stabilization techniques, which can be extremely beneficial to both back and arthritic patients. In addition, balance and coordination can be addressed and enhanced with aquatic physical therapy. Due to the buoyancy of water, dynamic functional movement in all directions can be progressed more rapidly than on dry land. Post exercise swelling is also lessened. Therefore, including aquatic physical therapy into a program may actually motivate the patient to work harder.
Progress is quicker and multidimensional.
This is important as rehabilitation efforts must demonstrate that the patient can function better as he or she progresses with added activities. Other benefits include the progression of patients not tolerating land-based exercises to more low impact, cushioned movement patterns with little gravitational pull. This may shorten treatment duration thus reducing total cost. Most importantly, patients appreciate and enjoy aquatic physical therapy. They express feeling better able to tolerate this form of therapy over traditional land programs, especially during painful episodes.