Back Talk

Does Aquatic Therapy for Back Pain Really Help?

Once dismissed as experimental and wishful thinking, medical experts now agree that aquatic therapy for back pain offers tangible relief for back pain sufferers, including those with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). True to the axiom that “everything old is new again,” Dr. Bruce Becker, in his article “RX for Aquatic Health,” states the effectiveness of water immersion therapy. It has been scientifically proven to improve cardiac function, circulation, and muscle blood flow, as well as increasing respiratory function through the opposing force of water. “Even the Greeks and Romans understood that it improves kidney function, aiding in elimination of metabolic waste products,” he wrote.

David M. Eisenberg, MD, his colleagues from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as well as Group Health Research Institute and Brown University agree. Science Daily reports that their study of patient groups revealed significant differences in successful outcomes when a combination of “complementary and alternative medical therapies plus usual care” was incorporated into the patient care plan.

Atlanta Water Therapy Exercises Vary Depending on Need

A balanced therapeutic approach that combines traditional medicines with holistic, alternative rehabilitation modalities delivers better results, usually within expected recovery time, according to recent studies on real patients. Jane Kreeger, in an article in Arthritis Today about water walking says she was unable to take NSAIDS medications because of a kidney condition, but reported a reduced pain, improved sleep, improved tolerance of physical stamina, as well as no longer requiring knee braces for additional support, all because of aquatic therapy.

Water therapy not only alleviates back pain and discomfort by minimizing the weight placed on the spine (axial load) during exercises, it also conditions and strengthens muscles to help prevent recurrences of back pain after the initial spine injury. The spine and back pain experts at the SpineCenterAtlanta develop an individualized program for each patient and assists with the insurance claim process. Depending on need, aqua rehabilitation therapy incorporates walking (forward, backward, and sideways), jogging, jumping jacks, leg lifts, water weights, kickboards, and other approved aquatic physical therapy approaches to spine pain treatment.

Can’t Swim? Too Old? Non-Swimming Aquatic Exercise for Back Pain Is Still Possible.

Many people feel that certain limitations would prevent aquatic rehabilitation, but nothing could be further from the truth. Our shallow therapy pools for aquatic exercise are perfect for non-swimmers. Think you’re too old? Think again. The average age of those receiving aqua therapy is 47 years of age. But hydrotherapy is not just for the baby boomers. Water therapy is appropriate for all ages. In fact, increased mobility during the course of adapted aquatic therapy for pediatric spinal muscular atrophy and other neuromuscular disorders was noted in a study on children as young as three years of age.

Has your insurance coverage run out? Contact SpineCenterAtlanta to learn about on-going aqua therapy for patients who have exhausted their aquatic physical therapy coverage through their effective “Above and Beyond” program which allows members to continue treatment through easy payment plans, extending flexibility physically and financially.

Don’t deny yourself the benefits of Aquatic therapy for back pain. Keep and open mind and learn just how effective aquatic physical therapy can be.

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