Relieve joint pain with warm pool water therapy & bull; hello healthy

When we hear about water therapy, what we have in mind may vary, such as therapy by drinking water or therapy by soaking in water. Yes, water can be a medium for therapy programs. However, you are not drinking the water, the therapy is done by the way you are in the water. He said this therapy can relieve lower back pain and neck. Hmmm, that sounds fun huh? Who doesn't like playing water, especially when they know the health benefits? But, wait a minute, water therapy also can't be done arbitrarily. In the following, we will discuss what water therapy looks like.

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What is water therapy?

Water therapy, aka training in water, uses water as a medium for resistance, so our bodies will fight the mass of water. You must have heard or studied the properties of water, right? For one thing, water can press in any direction. In water therapy, you will fight the water pressure, just like when you swim. The difference is, you do not always swim. What you can do is walk or run in the water, but you can also jump or kick.

This exercise can improve your flexibility and movement without putting stress on your joints and spine. Apart from reducing pain, this exercise is also thought to reduce the risks associated with bone density, such as osteoporosis. In addition, it can also reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and muscle tension.

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Not only that, even people with diabetes and high blood pressure are also advised to do this water therapy. For those of us who don't feel pain, water therapy might just be comfortable to do. Unlike some of the conditions mentioned just now, water therapy may make sufferers uncomfortable, even painful. But take it easy, water is a fairly 'friendly' medium.

What are the benefits of water therapy?

As explained above, water therapy is highly recommended for back pain and musculoskeletal injuries (those associated with joints, muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons). Some of the important elements of using water as a therapeutic medium are the following:

• Water can make the patient float. Water defies gravity, this property can help us to stay afloat in water. When the patient tries to stay floating in the water, it trains his balance and strength, especially when you practice lifting your legs while floating in the water.
• Water exerts pressure on the body by applying gentle friction, this can help strengthen the condition of the injury, as well as reduce further injury due to loss of balance.
• Water exerts a powerful effect by applying hydrostatic pressure, which improves heart and lung function. This pressure can also help increase muscle blood flow.

Why does it have to be in water, right on land too?

Here's an example, in people with osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders, it is necessary to do hand or shoulder rotating exercises. Doing this in the water will hurt a little, because water has an element that defies gravity. Likewise with the hip stretching exercise. If you do it on land, you may feel more pain. In addition to reducing pain during exercise, you will also get a calming effect. We may all agree that water can produce soothing sounds.

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How to do water therapy techniques?

Here are some water therapy techniques that can be done:

1. Knee-to-chest exercises: this exercise is performed standing up. Stand on one leg, with the body bent slightly, the other leg stretched forward. Position one hand holding the side of the pool. This movement is aimed at strengthening the legs, hips and lower back
2. Stretch your legs: You can imitate the position of 'Superman' doing a stunt flight. Position your hands by touching the pool wall, stretch your body and legs in a floating motion in the water. This exercise is aimed at the back and back joints.
3. Walking exercise: move back and forth on the pool that has water to your chest level. This exercise is aimed at the leg muscles, and is best done for people with arthritis.
4. Exercises done with a therapist: in this exercise, you will float on the therapist's back with an exercise involving the legs and hands. You will be asked to make a rowing motion with your hands and feet.

Who should not do water therapy?

Although water therapy is quite safe, you will need a therapist to do it. In addition, this therapy should be avoided by people who have the following conditions:

• In a state of fever
• Severe heart failure
• Infection
• Urinary incontinence - pressure on the bladder

In addition, for certain conditions, the water used must be very warm. Water therapy itself often uses warm water around 32 to 34 degrees Celsius. The reason is, so that when you do the exercises, your blood flow will increase. So, before you do this therapy, you should first consult your doctor or health care professional / therapist.