5 myths about aquatic therapy: let’s clear them up!

Hey everyone, 

As you may know, I’m a huge fan of aquatic exercise.  I think it can be a great way to get a workout without putting pressure on your joints, and the water also offers certain benefits that land-based exercise does not.  

However, I also know that a lot of people may be hesitant, or possibly even feel intimidated, about beginning pool exercise. 

On the flip side, some of you may wonder if it can be challenging enough!

That’s why today, I wanted to take a moment and address some of your questions.  I used to share many of your concerns, however I found there was a much wider range of possibilities than I could have imagined.   

So let’s get started:

Myth #1: You have to already be in great shape

No.  In fact, the opposite is true– aquatic therapy is great for people who are not able to perform land-based exercise.   In the water, you can cut out the effects of gravity, making movement much, much easier on your joints.

A good aquatic therapist will tailor your exercise level to you.  If this means starting out in baby steps (metaphorically or literally!) that is perfectly okay!  That’s why you’re in physical therapy.  The right physical therapist will meet you where you are.

In fact, many facilities will offer a warm-water therapy pool, that’s strictly for rehabilitation purposes.  It is not a place for lap swimmers– it is a place for therapy.

Myth #2: You have to know how to swim

No, definitely not.

As part of my science classes, I spent a significant amount of time observing at a physical therapy clinic that offers aquatic therapy.

And there were absolutely clients who couldn’t swim.  The physical therapists simply worked with them in standing-level only water.  It wasn’t a big deal.

I have also observed aquatic therapists who will get into the water with clients, even working with clients who are partially paralyzed.

There are all sorts of vests and floatation devices that make way more things possible in the water than you might imagine.

Of course, this something that is entirely up to your comfort level, but the clients I observed in these sessions seemed to truly appreciate the pain relief and freedom of movement that the water offered.

Like lifeguards, aquatic therapists in the US must be certified in CPR and First Aid.

Myth #3: It won’t be challenging enough

On the other end of the spectrum is the concern some people have that pool exercise won’t be difficult enough.

This was actually one of my hesitations, when I first began to develop SI joint issues.  However, with all of the techniques and accessories that are available today, there is really no excuse for pool exercises being too easy!  If they are, it just means you aren’t doing the right ones.

In recent years, professional athletes have even started using aquatic therapy both to heal from injuries and also as a preventative measure, doing one or two workouts a week in the pool instead of on land.

If they can get a great workout in the pool, so can people recovering from SIJD!

Even switching to one or two pool workouts a week can help lower your risk of injury, and also reduce inflammation (when you are submerged in water, something called “hydrostatic pressure” helps to flush out toxins and chemical byproducts out of your system more quickly).

Water also offers great cross-training benefits, because you’re able to challenge your body using different movement patterns than you normally do out of the water, with significantly less risk of injury.

Myth #4: It will be awkward or embarrassing

Well, I’m not going to tell you how to feel on this one.  I totally get it.  A lot of people aren’t comfortable putting on a bathing suit under any circumstances, much less when they’re struggling with an injury or other health concern.

I have a few things to say about this, however.

Anyone who judges you for trying to take care of yourself and heal an injury is not worth your time or respect.

And the vast majority of people are not going to judge you.  At the place I did my shadowing, the physical therapists basically ran the pool.  Everybody knew who they were and respected them, and stayed out of their (and their clients’) way.  Based on my experience, it’s more likely people will ask questions about what you’re doing, or even be inspired by you, than judge you.

And, just as there are probably way more therapy techniques than you anticipated, there are also all sorts of accessories and workout gear you can purchase in order to feel comfortable.

I actually ended up buying a rash guard (like for surfing) because I was tired of dealing with the cold pool in the winter.  People may have thought it was a bit unique, but I actually got a lot of questions and compliments on it.

Land’s End Women’s Rash Guard

You have a right to be there.

For my US readers, the Americans with Disabilities Act gives you a lot of rights when it comes to using a gym or other public exercise facility when you have a physical limitation.   This is especially true in regard to swimming pools– check out these 2012 guidelines that require public pools to have accessible means of entry and exit.  (This is true whether you are there for aquatic therapy, or simply working out at a gym pool).

So don’t let anyone make you feel embarrassed, or as though you don’t have a right to be there.  (I sincerely doubt this will happen, but I’m just letting you know the lay of the land anyway!).

Myth #5 Aquatic therapy is boring

Okay, maybe this is just me, but I think aquatic exercise can be really fun.  If you’re starting to get bored, there are a million ways to switch it up. There are so many exercises you can do, and ways you can challenge your body.

A great place to start is with the Aqua Jogger company.  They make those pool running vests you’ve probably seen people wear, plus a ton of other accessories.

Aqua Jogger Exercise Kit

Did you even know there were pools you can “enter” first… and then be lowered into the water?

Check out the therapy pool in the video below:

This is probably my favorite aquatic therapy video, in general.  Here is a patient who really struggles to move on land, but in the water, she is still able to improve both her coordination and strength.

If there was ever a video that inspired me to use aquatic therapy to help people, it’s this one.  I just think this entire approach is transformative.

Further Resources

In the future, I’ll be sharing more info on the Aquatic Exercise section of my page!

I love the exercise videos from Hydroworx (they make some of these really high-tech therapy pools).  I think their whole approach is so cool.

Aquatic Therapy University — They offer training for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and even speech therapists in aquatic therapy.  Although the video I’m linking to is intended for potential students, you might find it interesting because it provides a great overview of what aquatic therapy is all about.

Okay, that’s all for now!

I have so much more to say about the benefits of aquatic exercise!

If you want to learn more, you can book an book an individual coaching session with me and get personalized recommendations to help you move forward.

I strongly urge you to consider both aquatic exercise and coaching on your road to healing!