Aquatic Therapy Flashcards
What are the 3 Aquatic Principles?
1) Buoyancy
2) Hydrostatic Pressure
3) Resistance
What is buoyancy?
The upward thrust acting in the opposite direction to the force of gravity that allows a reduction in joint compression forces by being weightless
“A body immersed in a liquid, either wholly or partially, is buoyed up by a force equal to the _____ __ __ ____displaced by the body.”
weight of the liquid
4 benefits of the Buoyancy Principle
- Decreases weight bearing
- Decreases joint compression forces
- Decreases stress on connective tissues
- Decreases fear of falling
What is hydrostatic pressure?
The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity
4 benefits of the Hydrostatic Principle
- Reduce Edema
- Improves circulation
- Evens tactile input
- Improves muscles of inspiration which assists with expiration
The faster you go the more resistance there is due to what?
The drag force
4 Benefits of resistance
- Improved tone
- Improved endurance
- Improved muscle balance
- Increased time to react- if notice “falling”
What is the ideal water temperature, air temperature, and humidity?
92 degrees
2-3 degrees warmer than the water
50%
7 Populations that benefit from “ideal” temperature
- Prenatal
- Obese
- MS
- Cardiac
- OA
- Fibromyalgia
- Pain
4 Physiological Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
1) Circulatory System
2) Pulmonary System
3) Musculoskeletal
4) Renal
How does aquatic therapy benefit the circulatory system?
Blood is displaced upward to the chest and into the heart (due to buoyancy) which increases blood flow
Central Blood Volume can improve by __%
60
Heart rate in water is __% lower than on land
15
How does aquatic therapy benefit the pulmonary system?
Vital capacity increases 10%
The total work of breathing increases 60%
Expiratory reserve volumes decrease 75%
How does aquatic therapy benefit the musculoskeletal system?
- Mobilizes extracellular fluid (due to buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure)
- Reduces swelling more rapidly then bed rest
- Muscles have increased blood supply
- Improved muscle relaxation
- Decreased joint compression
How does aquatic therapy benefit the renal system?
- Increased urine output
- Increased sodium loss
- Renal response increases with further immersion
What are the contraindications to water therapy?
Any infection
Describe Ai Chi aquatic therapy
Slow, flowing movements and deep breathing that decrease pain, increase balance, blood flow, and flexibility
During the Ai Chi technique how high must the water be?
Shoulder level
Bend knees if need be
How do you perform the Ai Chi pattern
Inhale through nose and turn palms up
Exhale through mouth and turn palms down
Describe BackHab aquatic therapy
It is a walking program that a client can do on their own in which they use a variety of stride lengths both forwards and backwards for 2-4 minutes
What are the benefits of BackHab?
- Independence
- Mobility
- Core Strength
Describe Bad Ragaz pool therapy
Used for muscle re-education for patients who need to decrease tone such as CVA.
Use the fundamentals Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)
Describe the Burdenko Method
Land and water based therapy program in which the patient starts in the water working on balance and postural awareness in different planes in order to increase their overall health and wellness
What is the basic concept behind the Feldenkrais method
Patient performs small gravity-free movements rather than go on complete bed rest
Describe the Hallwick method
Type of therapy process that uses games for a variety of educational and therapeutic reasons in order to promote total independent movement in the water
Describe the Watsu method
Type of program in which the therapist cradles the patient in a free flowing nature to promote self-awareness of muscle tension which will promote relaxation and increase ROM
How can arthritis patients benefit from pool therapy?
They must completely submerge the joint in warmer water and warm-up to full ROM
What is an important thing to consider with cerebal palsy patients?
Stay in the middle of the pool due to involuntary movements
What muscle should you strengthen which CVA patients and why?
The anterior fibula to help with heel/toe gait
How do diabetes patients benefit from pool therapy?
Increases circulation in the feet
What types of methods should fibromyalgia patients use?
Ai Chi and Pilates so they can focus on breathing and relaxing
What is the most important thing to consider with MS patients?
Water temperature
It is an inactive program if the water is too warm
