AQUATIC THERAPY SERVICES

IN WOMEN HEALTH
GROUP#8
 DEFINATION

Also called Hydrotherapy is the use of water, both internally and

externally and at varying temperatures, for health purposes.

It’s a multi depth immersion pool or tank that facilitates the

application of various established therapeutic interventions,
including stretching, strengthening, joint mobilization, balance
and gait training and endurance training.
 REHABILITATION HISTORY
 Historically, the field of Physical Medicine viewed hydrotherapy
as a central treatment methodology.

 In 1911, Charles Leroy Lowman, began using therapeutic tubs to

treat spastic patients and those with cerebral palsy after a visit to
the Spaulding School for Crippled Children in Chicago.

 By 1937, Dr. Charles Leroy Lowman published his Technique of

Underwater Gymnastics: A Study in Practical Application, in
which he detailed aquatic therapy methods for specific
underwater exercises.
WATER PROPERTIES
Buoyancy
Buoyancy provides the patient with relative weightless- ness
and joint unloading, allowing performance of active motion
with increased ease.

Hydrostatic Pressure
it’s a pressure exerted on immersed object.
• reduces or limits effusion
• centralizes peripheral blood flow.
• assists venous return, avoid DVT
Viscosity

• Its is friction occuring between molecules of liquid resulting in

resistance to flow.
• Water’s viscosity creates resistance with all active
movements.

Surface Tension
The surface of fluid act as membrane under tension.  It is
measured as a force/unit length.
 INDICATIONS
1. Facilitate range of motion (ROM) exercise
2. Initiate resistance training
3. Facilitate weight-bearing activities
4. Enhance delivery of manual techniques
5. Provide three-dimensional access to the patient
6. Facilitate cardiovascular exercise
7. Initiate functional activity replication
8. Minimize risk of injury or re-injury during rehabilitation
9. Enhance patient relaxation
 CONTRAINDICATIONS
• Open wound
• Water infection
• Seizures
• Respiratory dysfunction
• Kidney disease
• Bowel bladder Incontinence
• skin infections such as tinea pedis and
ringworm.
AQUATIC THERAPY SERVICES
FOR WOMENS
 AQUATIC THERAPY FOR WOMENS

The recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians

and Gynecologists state that pregnant women should be
encouraged to engage in regular physical exercise programs of
moderate intensity, a practice that has been shown to be safe and
effective during pregnancy.

Various studies have indicated a series of benefits resulting from

the practice of water aerobics by pregnant women.
TYPES OF AQUATIC THERAPY SERVICES
FOR WOMENS
• Swimming
• Running ( Running with or
without vest)
• Walking Walking
• Cycling
• Stretching
• Underwater treadmill or parallel
bars, etc
 BENEFITS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

• less edema
• increased diuresis
• a significant reduction in arterial pressure
• an increase in the volume of amniotic fluid
• less need for analgesia
• control of body weight
• less back pain
• and a reduction in postpartum depression
 Pain Control

• Increased sensory stimulation to mechanoreceptors

• Decreases weight-bearing, increases “ease “ of movement”.
• Warm water has the ability to increase circulation and range
of motion which in turn reduces joint stiffness and pain while
exercising in the water.
Edema Control
1. Hydrostatic pressure helps prevent edema
2. Hot water increases edema
• Increased arterial blood flow, increased vasodilation
 Immersion baths/Water birth
• Warm water immersion hydrotherapy during labor provides
comfort, supports relaxation, and is a safe and effective non-
pharmacologic pain relief strategy that promotes physiologic
childbirth.

• • High quality research demonstrates the use of hydrotherapy

for pain relief during labor does not increase risk for healthy
women or newborns when evidence-based, clinical guidelines
are followed.

• Utilization rates of water immersion hydrotherapy in United

States tend to be higher, ranging from 9%-31% during birth.
DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN WOMEN
Arthritis
• Hydrotherapy can be especially useful to treat the joint pain
and stiffness associated with arthritis .
• Warm water is soothing to the muscles and can release
tension associated with arthritic conditions, decreasing pain
and inflammation in arthritis patients.
• Water's buoyancy offers an alternative method for getting
exercise by allowing easier joint movement.
• Whirlpool baths can be a great benefit in alleviating the pain
of this disease. Soaking in water relaxes muscles, which
enables a wider range of motion with less pain and strain.
 FOR OBESE WOMENS

Hydrotherapy is also beneficial for obese womens because it

• Reduces the effect of gravity

• Decreases risk factors for heart disease
• Hydrostatic pressure assist venous return
• Easier to stick with the program
Cool environment  Comfortable  Relaxing  Beneficial
 OTHER BENEFITS

The treatment can also be beneficial for relief of the symptoms

of colitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, sciatica, fibromyalgia. It has
been shown to be helpful in the treatment of high blood
pressure, migraines, premenstrual cramps, varicose veins, and
yeast infections. Many physicians and therapists recommend
hydrotherapy as part of a rehab program following surgery or
injury.
 PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

1. Decreased bone density loss

2. Increased venous circulation
3. Increased cardiac volume
4. Decreases HR and Systolic BP (cool water)
5. Increases work of breathing (Due to hydrostatic pressure
on lungs )
6. Decreases exercise-induced asthma (High humidity)
7. Increases sodium and potassium excretion (May be used
in patient’s with hypertension and peripheral edema )
 GROUP MEMBERS
1. MAHNOOR ZIA
2. IQRA IBRAR
3. SAMAR SIDDIQUE
4. ARWA TAHIR
5. SHAH BANO
6. MAHAM SALEEM
7. ISHMAL FATIMA
8. RIMSHA AKRAM
9. JAVERIA FAROOQ
10. TAIBA ZAHOOR