If you have arthritis, then living with it daily can be quite challenging. The stiffness in your joints in the morning and the pain which makes simple activities like walking feel difficult. All of it is very frustrating. You also know that exercise is important, but the regular workouts on land, usually they feel like they do more harm than good. Well, the good news is that there is a gentle yet powerful alternative which can provide you with a lot of relief. This is water-based exercise which is a highly effective form of Arthritis therapy, Tucson residents can use to improve their mobility, build strength and also reduce chronic pain.
Why is Water the Perfect Environment for Arthritis Relief?
The properties of water is what makes it an ideal place to exercise when you have sore joints. The first and most important property is buoyancy. In the water, your body is naturally supported which lifts a huge amount of your body weight off of your joints. This takes the pressure and stress of your aching knees, hips, and even spine which allows you to move much more freely and with far less pain than what you get on the land. This is quite a supportive environment which makes the arthritis therapy Tucson program a safe way to get your body moving again.
The second property of water which helps is called the hydrostatic pressure. You can think of this as water giving your body a gentle and full-body hug. This constant pressure on your joints can help to reduce any swelling that you might have and can even lessen your brain’s perception of pain. For a lot of people simply being in the warm and supportive water is enough to provide a soothing and comforting sensation that makes moving feel good.
What Kinds of Exercises Can be Done in the Water?
Well, in aquatic therapy the properties of water help you to move better. The exercises are simple and designed to help you feel your best. Here are some of the main ones that you get to see or do:
Gentle Range-of-Motion Movements
You begin with simple and slow movements like bending your knees and lifting your legs or gently rotating your shoulders. The water supports your limbs which makes these exercises easier and safer to perform. This helps you to improve your flexibility and work on reducing joining stiffness in a much likely pain-free way.
Water Walking and Aerobics
You can walk or even gently jog in chest-deep water to get an excellent cardio workout without any of the jarring impact which comes from walking on a hard surface. These pool exercises for arthritis are a wonderful form of gentle exercise for joint pain. They help to improve your heart health and stamina without putting any strain on your joints.
Strength Building with Water Resistance
The water itself provides a natural and constant resistance from all directions. This way all simple movements like pushing your arms through the water or doing leg lifts become strengthening exercises. So, building muscles around your joints with these exercises can help to give them more support which can lead to better stability and less pain in your daily life.
Warm Water Stretching
If the pool water is warm, then that can help with relaxing tight muscles and soothe sore joints. This also makes for a perfect place for you to do gentle stretching exercises. With regular stretching in the water you can decrease your overall stiffness and improve your ability to move much more comfortably throughout the day.
(Also Read: In What Ways Is Swimming Beneficial For Arthritis?)
How Can You Get Started with Aquatic Therapy?
Taking the first step for your journey to make your condition bearable is easy. Here is what you need to do to begin feeling better:
- Talk with Your Doctor First: Before you start any new form of exercise, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor. They can look at your health needs and help you decide if water therapy for arthritis is the right choice for you.
- Find a Program: It is important to look for a program which has certified instructors who are experienced in working with people with arthritis. A good program will know how to change the exercises to fit your personal ability level. This is very important for aquatic therapy to work for seniors in Tucson.
- Start Slowly: There is no need to push yourself too hard to feel the benefits of these water exercises. The main goal is to be gentle and get constant movement.
Wrapping Up
Just because you are living with arthritis pain, it doesn’t mean that you have to stop being active and not enjoy your life anymore. With a professional arthritis therapy Tucson program, you get another chance, you can tackle your symptoms in an enjoyable way. It is a great method to regain movement and reduce your pain which also improves your overall quality of life. You can have a look at our website to see which program fits you.
Contact us at swim@saguaroaquatics.com to learn more about our adult aquatic therapy programs for arthritis relief.
