by Ingrid Fabian

I have been working in water for 10 years now, rehabilitating injured clients and personal training for strength and conditioning. I also love the world under the surface.

The use of water for its power of healing dates back to 2400BC. The Moslems and Hindus were using in-water therapy back in 1500BC. We all know how much the Japanese love their submersion in hot springs for detox purposes. Aquatic therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions such as neurological and cognitive dysfunctions and has proven itself to be effective for long term management for physical disorders.

I have been successful in addressing many problems commonly associated with musculoskeletal disorders which include reduced range of motion, joint stiffness reduced strength and functional mobility. Weight bearing exercises can exacerbate the pain cycle which can increase immobility and reduce normal movement, leading to increased pain.

The water provides a buoyant exercise environment which is less stressful on the body than the same activity performed on land. The up thrust effect (buoyancy) counter-balances gravity and supports the body resulting in reduction of weight bearing through the spine and lower extremities. Buoyancy also provides both assistive and supportive or resistance to movement of the body in the water; depending on the position of the individual, further helping the client to return to proper function.

Immersion in warm water promotes relaxation, thermal effects, which can alter muscle tone, reduce muscle spasm and pain while improving circulation and respiration and reduced edema is the result of hydrostatic pressure.

The aquatic environment has provided therapeutic benefits for centuries. Early aquatic venues were derivatives of natural locations; mineral pools, ocean waters, streams, and springs. Advancement in science and the development of specific aquatic therapy techniques have translated into new aquatic venues; hydrotherapy pools and baths, spas;  the combination of which has allowed a broader range of treatment options, Bad Ragaz, Feldenkrais, Halliwick, just to name a few. In addition bodywork practitioners have adapted land based practices to suit the water’s environment; such as shiatsu, trigger point and meridian therapy, cranial sacral therapy, and found that they are able to, not only integrate different therapies with ease, but are able to achieve quicker results when compared to performing the same therapies on land.