Balance Disorder Management: 5 Invaluable Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
Dizziness, unsteadiness, and all-around poor balance leave you at risk for falls and the injuries that follow. If you have a balance disorder, it stems from a problem in one or more of the many body systems involved in standing and walking:
- The vestibular system in your inner ear
- Your eyes and vision
- Brain and nervous system
- Musculoskeletal system
Usually, gait and balance disorders stem from more than one of these areas. Gait and balance disorders can involve symptoms beyond unsteadiness, like vertigo, blurry vision, or lightheadedness, which can point to the underlying causes.
The main goal of physical therapy for balance disorders is to address the underlying problems and ultimately prevent resulting injuries from poor balance. Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy with unique benefits for those with balance disorders.
At Elation Physical Therapy in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas, our team of expert physical therapists starts you off with a balance disorder assessment to better understand your balance abilities. They then guide you through a physical therapy program designed just for you. Aquatic therapy may be a valuable addition to your program.
Here are five reasons why aquatic therapy is such a great option for balance disorders.
It’s gentle on your joints
One of the major draws of aquatic therapy is that it’s easy on your joints. Many people come to physical therapy experiencing joint pain or dysfunction, which isn’t as pronounced while underwater.
When you’re immersed up to your neck in water, your body weight feels like it’s reduced by up to 90%. This reduces pressure on your joints and bones, which makes it easier to perform exercises to improve your strength and flexibility.
Water slows your movements
One way that aquatic therapy helps with balance is by slowing down your movements. When your body is underwater, the buoyancy allows you to move in a more controlled manner. This puts you less at risk of falls and injuries while engaging in personalized physical therapy.
Over time, becoming more confident with your movements in the water may help you become more confident with your movements in general.
Aquatic therapy helps you build strength
Your muscle strength helps you stay balanced. Depending on your needs, your goals during aquatic therapy might include regaining strength for better balance or improving muscle endurance. Aquatic therapy can improve strength in muscles all over your body, including your core and legs.
Because water has a higher density than air, your underwater movements require more strength and effort than the same movements on the ground. This helps you gain strength quickly as you attend regular aquatic therapy sessions.
It improves flexibility
Stiff joints and muscles are harder to move and less likely to help you catch yourself from falling. Flexibility also supports overall ease of movement.
When you perform flexibility exercises regularly, you help improve blood flow to your muscles. Muscles with good blood flow function better and heal more quickly than muscles with poor circulation.
It may enhance your senses for better balance
Engaging in physical therapy in the water may enhance your sensory abilities and proprioception (your sense of body position). Between the warmth of the water, the pressure, and the texture, water allows for a stimulating sensory experience that may benefit your sense of balance.
Visit us today
Are you ready to try aquatic therapy for a balance disorder? Call Elation Physical Therapy or request an appointment online to consult our team today.