Continued from pg. 4 (Aquatic Therapy Comes of Age)


It helps increase the efficiency of the circulatory system, something highly desirable from a medical perspective. This increase in blood flow results in increased oxygen and nutrient-rich delivery to the cells as well as increased waste product removal—all of which helps the healing process.


Types of Aquatic Therapy (Exercise) Many forms of aquatic therapy have evolved through time, some more scientifically oriented, some more naturally oriented and holistically centered. Aside from recreational swimming, a short list of popular forms of aquatic therapy and exercise includes:


physiologists, and yoga instructors. The world of sports has also discovered aquatic therapy and training with many professional sports teams, college teams, and Olympic athletes routinely using aquatic pools for physical rehabilitation and advanced physical conditioning.


Everywhere you look today, aquatic therapy is widely embraced for a variety of physical issues. It has proven beyond doubt its ability to provide numerous benefits to humanity. People have every reason to get in the water—for recreation, for exercise, or for therapeutic reasons. It’s safe, it’s easy, it’s fun, and it produces physical and medical results that equal or exceed results that can be obtained on land.


Aquatic Therapy Comes of Age— Advanced Hydrotherapy Pools


Ai Chi


Ai chi is designed to strengthen and tone the body while promoting relaxation. Similar to tai chi, it encourages the principle of a healthy mind-body relationship. Ai chi has demonstrated its ability to improve physical functioning. Water Aerobics


Water aerobics is one of the most popular forms of water exercise anywhere. Almost every gym and every public pool offers some form of water aerobics, from aggressive programs for the serious workout aficionado to gentle programs for senior citizens or those who are compromised physically. Watsu


Modeled after the principles of Zen shiatsu (massage), watsu involves a practitioner individually cradling clients and gently moving them slowly in the water in a series of gentle progressions. Often accompanied by soothing music, watsu is a beneficial form of meditation.


Aquatic Physical Therapy As physical therapy developed as a bona fide medical


profession in Western civilization during the last century, the role of aquatic therapy grew with it. In 1995, the American Physical Therapy Association formally adopted aquatic therapy as a recognized form of physical therapy. Today, aquatic therapy is a staple of Western medicine, with most hospitals offering some form of aquatic therapy as part of their physical therapy programs. Aquatic Therapy and Exercise outside the Medical System


Many excellent practitioners also exist outside the medical community in the form of fitness trainers, exercise


7 www.lotusguide.com The latest advance in aquatic therapy has been


the recent introduction of specialized hydrotherapy pools, or advanced hydrotherapy pools, in the last two decades. Combining technology with carefully designed smaller pools, specialized hydrotherapy pools are now available that produce far better results for a wider population of people than standard swimming pools. One major manufacturer of advanced hydrotherapy pools is Hydroworx from Pennsylvania. Hydroworx pools offer a number of advanced technology features, such as underwater treadmills, underwater cameras, video recording systems, variable speed resistance jets, massage jets, and variable water levels. A quantum leap forward in physical therapy and physical exercise capabilities, these technological marvels produce better results than traditional swimming pool programs do.


In the future, look for the latest generation of advanced aquatic therapy pools in your area—either at your local hospital, sports club, or physical therapy office.


Remember— Water is good! So get in the water!


Skip Phairas is owner of the Chico Hydrotherapy Center, a privately owned advanced hydrotherapy center in Chico, CA. Using certified trainers and exercise physiologists, the Chico Hydrotherapy Center works with clients of all ages who have a wide variety of physical issues as well as athletes who want to train like the pros. For more info, please visit the Chico Hydrotherapy Center at www.chicohydrotherapy.com or call 530-717-7202.


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