Aqua Therapy 101

If you’re wondering what exactly Aqua Therapy is and how it can help you; read on!

Massage, yoga, exercise and meditation can all be done in water, similarly to how they’re done on land but with a whole suite of enhanced and unique benefits.

Aquatic therapy can be a powerful tool for helping you reach your recovery, conditioning, fitness and rehab goals, and unless you have an infection skin condition or untreated cardiac condition; aqua therapy is for you!

Similar movements to land exercises can be done in the water; but with different benefits. It's possible to jog in the water, do strength training in the water, stretch and meditate in the water, even receive a massage in the water. Working in the water allows for a more tactile, sensory experience while enhancing flow and ease thru movement.

When working in water, we're immediately able increase mobility without putting excess stress on the joints. Water offers resistance; so even simple exercises like walking will help improve fitness much quicker than on land. Because opposing muscle groups are worked at the same time in the water; aquatic therapy is much more efficient than land therapy.

Additionally, when working in the water, oxygen reaches the entire body more effectively thus improving fitness more rapidly than movement done on land. And with extra, consistent oxygenation of muscles and other physical body systems; every process in the body runs more effectively.

Aqua Therapy is accessible to nearly everyone. You don't need to know how to swim, and you can even keep your hair dry if you like. Find an Aquatic Therapist or local aquatic class and add this powerful modality to your recovery/fitness/health routine!

Suzanne Andrew, LMT, CTYMT, Reiki Master, CPT and Certified Aqua Yoga Teacher has been teaching and practicing massage, yoga, breath work, energy work and meditation on land and now in water since 1999. (FLMA51338)