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Aquatic Exercise: How to Exercise with Less Joint Pain

December 16, 2019 | Industry News
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Picture of three people partaking in aquatic exercise.

Do you suffer from joint pain in your hips or knees?  Do normal types of exercises like walking, cycling, or strength training only seem to make your pain worse?

This is the case for many who suffer from arthritic joint pain. The associated pain can be discouraging and lead to a sedentary lifestyle and the situation can become even grimmer when you decide it’s time for a joint replacement surgery to alleviate your pain.

When you look to surgery as a solution, your orthopedist will likely say that you have to lose weight first. But, how will you exercise enough to lose weight with that kind of pain?

Enter aquatic exercise.

Aquatic exercise is becoming increasingly more popular because it allows people to exercise with less joint pain. The primary reason for this is the buoyancy of water decreases impact on the joints. The reduction in impact allows someone to workout longer and harder with less joint pain, which helps accelerate your progress towards reaching mobility, strength, and weight goals.

Water also provides 12 times more resistance than air, so you have to work harder than you would on dry land which in turn burns more calories.

Aquatic exercise can also be performed in warm water pools (temperatures between 82-88 degrees Fahrenheit), which tends to soothe arthritic joints.

There are also many types of aquatic exercises, including swimming, water walking, water aerobics, and water strengthening.  Water exercise can either be performed by yourself, with a friend or with a class.

In fact, aquatic exercise is becoming so popular because of its benefits that community centers, gyms, recreation associations, and athletic clubs are increasing the number of their aquatic exercise classes.  Most aquatic facilities also provide the equipment needed for aerobic and strengthening classes.

Speak with your Phoenix physical therapist about aquatic exercise to determine if it is right for you and what kind would be best to start with.

References: The Arthritis Foundation

This post was written by Ethan Sherman, PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.  He was a Collegiate Swimmer at James Madison University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree.  He then received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia and is now the facility director at our clinic in Richmond, Virginia.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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