Aquatic rehab or warm water therapy is a great way to enhance recovery prior to and or following surgical interventions for a wide range of procedures. Some of the benefits included with utilizing aquatic or warm water therapy include: 

• Increasing circulation
• Decreased weight bearing and hydrostatic pressure for edema management
• Active and dynamic strengthening with reduced pain

Many who attend physical therapy prior to having surgery, for example a total joint replacement or ACL reconstruction, benefit from increased range of motion, strength and reduced pain levels prior which may lead to an enhanced recovery following surgery. Aquatic therapy can further these improvements in function and ability prior to surgery due to the reduced impact to the body, assist in managing swelling, and prepare the body to undergo surgery.

Unfortunately our bodies do not know the difference between an accidental trauma, or one we may choose to create through a surgical interventions. Let’s illustrate. If someone were to unfortunately fall while hiking, and break their leg, their body will respond in the same way as if they were having a total knee replacement. The bodies healing process does not change whether and injury is accidental or it is an elective surgery we choose to have. The body will respond by increased fluid production in and around the injury, things will feel stiff and uncomfortable, and your nervous system is on high alert for anything that may increase its activity and result in a potential pain signal to the brain. Therefore, by improving the body’s tolerance to activity, tissue lengthening, and stimulation to the nervous system prior to surgery, has the potential to reduce recovery time and enhance outcomes.

After surgery, and any incisions have fully healed (on average between 4-6 weeks), aquatic rehabilitation can further your abilities, meet objectives, and return to the things you love, and even return to playing the sport that you love! The inclusion of warm water therapy has helped many of our patients get back to the things they love to do, faster and with improved confidence.

Aquatic physical therapy, combined with a land based approach, has helped many to successfully recover and return to the things they love doing after surgery. If you want to learn more about how Aquatic warm water therapy can help you, check out our Aquatic Rehab page.