Hydrotherapy, also known as aquatic physiotherapy or aquatic therapy, is a therapeutic activity that involves exercising in a pool with hot water, around 34 degrees Celsius, to accelerate the recovery of injured athletes or arthritis patients, for example.
Hydrotherapy is usually performed by a physical therapist and is widely used by pregnant and elderly women, as it helps with the treatment of:
- Hydrotherapy for pregnant women should be indicated by the obstetrician and is usually used to improve blood circulation.
- Reduce swelling of the legs and reduce back.
- Foot and knee pain.
- For example.
- Learn other ways to relieve discomfort at the end of pregnancy.
In hydrotherapy, thanks to the properties of water, it is possible to reduce the burden caused by the body’s weight on the joints and bones while maintaining endurance, allowing muscle growth, but without causing injury in others.body parts. In addition, hot water provides muscle relaxation and pain relief.
Hydrotherapy helps reduce postural problems and conveys a sense of well-being, improving people’s body image and increasing self-esteem.It also contributes to:
In addition, hydrotherapy also helps improve the cardiorespiratory system, as well as aquagym, in which exercises are more intense.Learn how to distinguish aquagym from hydrotherapy.
There are several therapeutic techniques and exercises of aquatic hydrotherapy, which must be accompanied by a physical therapist, such as:
This technique is used to strengthen and re-edit the muscles and promote trunk stretching.Generally, the therapist gets up and the patient uses floats in the cervix, pelvis, and, if necessary, ankle and wrist.
This method is usually used in people with central nervous system damage, orthopedic disorders, or people with reduced range of motion, weakness, pain, or lbum.
This technique uses the properties of heated water, between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius, having relaxing effects on the autonomous nervous system. During exercise, the rotation and stretching of the trunk is favored, with rhythmic and repeated movements, decreasing visual, auditory and sensory.Stimuli.
Generally, this technique is indicated for people with orthopedic problems, after spine surgery, lumbalgia, repeated microtrauma and work-related occupational diseases and for people with decreased amplitude or pain in movement or people with neurological problems.
The Watsu is also performed in a hot water pool, at about 35 degrees C, using specific techniques in which movements, touches and stretches are performed, unlocking points of physical and mental tension. During these sessions, specific exercises are performed that take into account the person’s breathing and position.
This method is indicated for cases of physical and mental stress, fear, anxiety, insomnia, muscle aches, migraine, disposition, depression, acute and chronic tension, pregnant women, people with emotional blockages, among others.
Also known as the 10-point program, it is a process in which the patient works breathing, balancing and controlling movements, thus improving motor learning and functional independence, making the person more able to initiate and perform difficult movements and activities.in the field.
This method is performed with voluntary movements of the person, even if they have lack of mobility.