For years, it’s been said that aquatic activity is one of the healthiest forms of exercise that a person can participate in. It is beneficial for all types of people, but especially those with arthritis.
What makes aquatic activity so useful when managing pain associated with arthritis?
Water provides natural resistance, which in turn intensifies the exercises you are performing.
At the same time, water has something that regular exercise does not, buoyancy. That tendency for your bodies to float in water helps to support your body weight, thus reducing the pressure on your joints. Less pressure means less inflammation, and less inflammation leads to less pain.
Pain isn't the only thing that aquatic therapy helps though. The natural intensity of your movements helps to reduce body fat, improves your coordination, your range of motion, and has a positive effect on serotonin levels in the brain. Again, a less stressed body leads to less stress on joints and bones.
A 2015 study by the University of Utah showed that aquatic exercise for pain management in adults, especially those over 65, can vastly improve mobility and pain. While the pain reduction was short term, aquatic therapy shows to be an excellent alternative to pain medication for quick relief.
You can find on-going relief with aquatic therapy by performing up to an hour of aquatic exercise three times a week. So, not only will you reduce or maintain your weight, but you will find a mood stimulating and pain reducing activity to help with your symptoms of arthritis.