Arthritis
and joint disease is a common cause of
disability and one of the major reasons
for a decreased quality of life among
people with Arthritic disease. Exercise
is important for preventing and/or managing
the limitations experienced in day-to-day
life of people who live with this condition.
It is already widely-accepted that one
of the most effective treatments for long-term
management of the symptoms of arthritic
disorders is physical exercise. There
is a substantial amount of research that
has shown that both land- and water-based
exercises do help these patients. However,
it has been suggested that land exercises
which promote weight-bearing, can aggravate
pain which can be further limiting to
patients with inflamed joints. Aquatic
exercise therapy is often recommended
for people with arthritis because it is
a low-impact program. “Impact”
here refers to pounding or pressure on
your joints that can result from other
exercises such as jogging or even walking.
Aquatic exercise eliminates gravity and
can make exercise much less painful and
easier to perform. Water has buoyancy,
and therefore, a person exercising in
water will tend to have decreased weight-bearing
on his joints. Decreased pressure in joints
mean less pain and more mobility. Movements’
patients cannot normally do on land can
be done in water!
McNeal (1990) suggested
that buoyancy provides an environment,
which allows for muscle relaxation as
well as decreased joint compression. That
is why doctors and patients with rheumatologic
disorders now tend to use aquatic therapy
as a form of exercise. Research shows
that most people with arthritis can safely
exercise; achieving better aerobic fitness,
strength, endurance and flexibility. Improvement
in physical fitness leads to a better
ability to walk, greater ease doing daily
activities, and an improved sense of well
being. A comprehensive exercise program
for those with arthritis should include
flexibility, strengthening and aerobic
activities.
What are the benefits
of a water-based exercise program (aqua
therapy) for people with arthritis?
1.Decreased pain and
decreased muscle tension
• Heat is known to provide relief
for pain. Therapeutic pools are generally
heated to between 92 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit
• Exercise and/or relaxation in
water, especially in warm water, provides
a soothing thermal effect and thus leads
to decreased pain and decreased muscle
tension.
2. Improved balance and improved sensory
awareness.
• Patients may be challenged beyond
their limits of stability in the water
without the fear of consequences of falling
which are often present with land-based
balance training.
3. Positive attitude
towards disease and an increased quality
of life
• Because of the above-mentioned
effects, patients feel more satisfied
with themselves and become more comfortable
with their condition
• Because aqua therapy is done mostly
in groups, sociability increases, and
a ‘sense of belonging” and
“sense of community” are achieved.
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