Water Exercise has Potential Pain Relief Benefits
Would you be surprised to learn that, for some, water exercise may help serve as an effective, natural pain reliever? For people looking for a more holistic approach to pain relief, water aerobics exercises can be an excellent way to deal with mobility challenges and may help reduce pain, among other benefits.
If you’ve ever been injured or dealt with chronic pain, the low-impact nature of water-based exercising can help you relax, feel less discomfort, and improve your fitness. Here are a few detailed benefits of aquatic exercise for pain relief and how you might benefit from water aerobics (aquatic workouts).
Water Alleviates Gravitational Pressure
Gravity can be a real drag sometimes—mainly because it’s constantly exerting force against your body. When the body is submerged in water, however, you may alleviate gravitational pressure by up to 90%. When you decrease weight-bearing by that much, it can help to release tension throughout the body.
With less tension, inflammation may decrease and the joints may also be given a chance to replenish synovial fluid, simply by moving. People are often able to retrain their muscles, may improve joint mobility, and can experience a greater range of motion. The buoyancy of water is a refreshing break from the constant force of gravity.
Hydrostatic Pressure May Be Beneficial
Hydrostatic pressure is due to the force of gravity exerted on the immersed body by fluid molecules. Hydrostatic pressure is directly proportional to depth measured from the surface. If you’ve ever gone scuba diving, you’ve probably noticed that the deeper you go, the more pressure you feel in the ears, for example. That is hydrostatic pressure in a nutshell.
In terms of aquatic exercise, being underwater up to your chest should feel slightly compressing, which may be good for improving circulation and heart and lung function. Hydrostatic pressure also may help reduce sensory stimulation associated with pain to offer more relief. The pool may also be a place to feel safer, which reduces the perception of danger to your nervous system.
Release of Endorphins
Endorphins are nature’s way of helping your body relax and feel less stress. People who regularly exercise often get a positive mood boost. It’s not only runners who get to experience the phenomenon known as “runner’s high.” The rejuvenating nature of water combines both physical and psychological benefits in part because endorphins make you feel happier and calmer.
Just like any form of exercise, aquatic workouts can be as hard or as easy as you make them. If you want to improve your range of motion, strength, and help reduce pain all while getting a great cardio workout, use the water to your advantage. Land-based activities aren’t the only way to get in shape!
About Ability Fix
For when you want the benefit of water aerobics classes on your own schedule, Ability Fix is an award-winning mobile app that provides an accessible way to get fit regardless of your current physical ability level. Using any body of water, participants are guided through easy-to-understand aquatic exercises that may incrementally improve balance, flexibility, strength, and cardio with less pain. App users can customize their own routine or select a predefined workout with any device, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and Bluetooth headphones. The Ability Fix aquatics fitness app officially launched at the beginning of 2020 with 50 exercises and three Ai Chi routines. The forgiving water environment is fun, effective, and you can make your aquatic exercise routine as challenging as you’d like.
Learn more about Ability Fix at www.abilityfix.com