Water Therapy Exercises

The techniques used in water therapy exercises for back pain include spa therapy, standing or floating pool exercises, swimming, and conditioning using specialized equipment, such as surgical tubing, flotation devices, and resistive devices for the hands or feet.

Active water therapy exercises should be tailored to the individual and his or her specific condition.

Exercises range from simple routines performed in a shallow pool to conditioning using underwater treadmills and other high-tech equipment.

Pool Therapy Exercise Techniques

Some of the basic techniques for pool therapy exercises are as follows (they can be modified for varying degrees of difficulty):

• Knee-to-chest exercise. This movement is performed while standing on one leg, which is slightly bent, and one leg bent and raised up to the chest. It strengthens and stretches the muscles in the leg, hip, and lower back.
• Leg raise exercise. This movement is performed with one leg outstretched and the supporting leg slightly bent while one hand holds onto the side of the pool. It strengthens and stretches the muscles in the leg, hip, and lower back.
• Wall-facing leg stretch exercise. In this stretching exercise you assume a "Superman" position with hands resting on the side of the pool and your body and legs outstretched into and supported by water. This extends all regions of the back and the joints in the back, as well as stretching shoulder muscles.
• Pool walking exercise. Walking both forward and backward in chest-high water works the leg muscles while exerting no impact on the knees or hips, which is particularly important for people who have arthritis in those joints. The walking exercise can be made more demanding with the addition of hand floats or light weights, so a stroll in the pool becomes an aquatic version of power walking.
• Quadruped activity and exercise. This exercise works legs and arms and is performed while floating on your back (sometimes achieved with a therapist supporting your body or using a flotation jacket).  You make paddling motions with your arms and legs.

Spa treatments complementing water therapy typically involve relaxing in warm, agitated water such as a whirlpool bath.

This form of therapy relaxes muscles, improves muscle blood flow, and increases general blood circulation, which makes the body more flexible and can prepare it for water therapy or land-based exercise.

How to Get Started in Water Therapy

There are many options available, and your selection will depend on variables such as your local facilities, financial options, and your unique diagnosis and personal preferences.

Here are several options to help you get started:

• There are physical therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and certified athletic trainers have expertise in aquatic physical therapy for rehabilitation
• Many rehabilitation facilities, gyms and health clubs have hydrotherapy pools and offer aqua-therapy classes as well.
• It is popular for health clubs and rehabilitation programs to offer underwater treadmills as an option for individual use

How much does therapy cost?

Water therapy done as part of a class is less expensive and tends to range from $30 to $50 per class, and classes may be less expensive at a local YMCA than at a health club or rehabilitation center.  

Individualized water therapy costs more than a class, because you are one-on-one with the therapist. Depending on your area, an individualized water therapy session may cost in the range of $50 - $200 per session.

Water therapy may be covered by your insurance or Medicare, especially if your treating physician prescribes it as part of your treatment plan. It may also be covered under your Health Savings Plan if your doctor writes a letter of medical necessity for the therapy.

Combined Water Therapy with Land-based Exercise

Water therapy for back pain and other problems can be a short-term exercise option if back pain or a back injury makes land-based exercise too difficult.

Or;  water therapy can be adopted as part of an ongoing exercise program if land-based methods worsen symptoms or if you prefer water exercises.

If your functional status or competitive goals require it, you may choose to transition to exercise in a dry environment once you’re successfully performing exercises in water.

Many people find mixed use of wet and dry exercise therapy environments most beneficial.

The value of appropriate aquatic exercise programs is well established overall and has been beneficial in many thousands of individuals and can be a valuable part of a low back pain management program and for other injuries and conditions.