Water exercise is quite common and popular among those with chronic pain, illness, and for the elderly.
There are as many benefits to water exercise as there are different types of water exercise! You’ll likely find one you particularly enjoy most. Here are a few that are commonly available:
- Water aerobics
- Water running and walking
- Treading water
- Swimming
Water exercise relies on buoyancy, resistance, and assistance, which makes it a fantastic option for individuals with chronic pain or those that are elderly and low strength. Here’s why:
#1: Low- to No-Impact Exercise
Water exercises are a great option because they provide a very low- or no-impact option for those struggling with chronic pain.
Jogging and stepping might be completely out of the question. But individuals struggling with hip, knee, or leg pain can benefit from water exercises by allowing their bodies to build muscle without causing more damage. These workouts are also popular for athletes recovering from injury.
#2: Helps You Stay Cool
Temperature-wise, anyway. Whether or not you’re “cool” is another matter.
Performing your workouts in the pool, rather than outdoors or in a toasty gym, helps keep your body cool. Keep up your routine even in the hottest temperatures, wherever you’re located.
When you can keep up a steady exercise routine through every season, you will stay healthier and make more progress.
#3: Strength Through Resistance Training
Moderate exercise can assist in relieving and reducing chronic pain symptoms because as you strengthen your muscles, it relieves pressure, inflammation, and tenderness in your body.
Water exercise relies on the natural resistance of the water to build that crucial muscle. It is a great option for an all-over workout, increasing your strength and endurance without the need of weights.
#4: Helps Manage Mood and Stress Levels
This one might come as a bit of a surprise to you. But water exercise can also improve your mental health!
Being in the water is relaxing for many and can be a lot of fun. Because of its relaxing properties, it can be a great way to relieve stress and tension.
#5: Chronic Pain is Greatly Reduced
This is the one that can really make a difference in your life if you suffer from chronic pain. Water exercises are extremely beneficial to those with chronic pain. Even just a warm bath without the exercise can provide a lot of these benefits!
Arthritis, hip and knee and other joint pain, and fibromyalgia pain suffers are all individuals that benefit the most from participating in water exercises. The water is soothing not just while in the pool, but can have lasting effects after you’ve toweled off and are back to going about your day.
There are many community pools or maybe a nearby YMCA that will likely offer water exercise you can try. We hope this can help provide some much-needed pain relief!
