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Treating Patients with Pain Series: Parkinson’s Disease

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PAIN induced by injury, surgery, inflammation, disease, etc. can be difficult to treat. Exploring natural options to rehab and recovery have proven successful and increasingly popular. This newsletter is the fifth in a series addressing how non-traditional methods, like aquatic therapy, can offer positive results and success in rehabilitation and recovery outcomes for patients dealing with pain.

Pain affects work, social relationships, mood, family and daily activities.

Avoiding pain, dealing with pain and relieving pain are the main goals of therapy.

The fifth part of our series focuses on Parkinson’s Disease and the benefits of participating in an aquatic therapy prehab program to maintain strength and independence.

Aquatic Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease

In a recent article by Jo Gambosi in Parkinson’s News Today, the benefits of utilizing aquatic therapy in the treatment of Parkinson’s patients are explained. “Aquatic therapy is a popular choice for people with Parkinson’s disease, especially in the early to middle stages.” Utilizing the properties of water allow Parkinson’s patients to continue exercising when land exercise becomes too difficult and unsafe. Aquatic therapy helps to strengthen muscles, decrease joint stiffness, and improve balance and posture. This aids in the management of motor and nonmotor symptoms which increase the patient’s independence and quality of life.

If you treat patients with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease, utilizing the benefits of water while exercising can provide many increased outcomes, especially buoyancy of water. Because the buoyancy helps to support the patient’s weight, less energy is required to keep the body upright and supported. This is especially helpful for those who fatigue quickly. The added support from the buoyancy of water allows patients with balance/posture deficits to continue to stretch and exercise with decreased risk for fall.

Water provides a natural resistance to movements, which allows for strengthening without weights. Stronger muscles improve stability, balance and posture which result in increased independence with ADLs. With increased independence, confidence is built, and quality of life is improved.

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Hudson designs and manufactures custom therapy pools with above ground, partially above ground, and inground options to accommodate your clinic’s needs. Looking for an aquatic therapy option with a smaller footprint or for home use? The AquaFit features a stand-alone exercise chamber and water storage tank that provides the full benefits of aquatic therapy and incorporates the use of an underwater treadmill to further improve results.

Contact Us today for more information.