Osteoarthritis and Aquatic Exercise

By La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

La Plata Physical Therapy, Inc.

. http://www.laplatapt.com/

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Osteoarthritis and Aquatic Exercise

One of the most common forms of arthritic joint pain is from osteoarthritis (OA). OA can cause a decreased range of motion, which paired with pain, can lead to a lowered activity level.

However, the American College of Sports Medicine states that even though pain and a decreased range of motion present limitations, regular exercise is still very important to the successful management of arthritic conditions. Not only does regular exercise reduce pain, but it also maintains muscle strength, reduces joint stiffness, prevents functional decline, and improves your mental health. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends exercising 20-30 minutes per day, 3-5 times per week.

For individuals dealing with significant increases in pain or significant decreases in range of motion, performing exercises in a warm pool is a conservative approach to therapeutic training.

The buoyancy of the water provides a free-moving, extremely low-impact environment for the joints and back. This means walking on the treadmill underwater lowers the force applied during walking significantly, decreasing pressure and pain on the joints.

The density of the water provides greater levels of resistance than air does. This means the body can exercise at a greater intensity, without the usual stress and strain on land.