If you are an expectant mother in need of a low-impact way to exercise without increasing pain, an aquatic therapy program could be a great solution.
Aquatic therapy is a popular form of exercise for people with various conditions, but it’s a great low-impact recreational therapy that women can turn to for easing pregnancy pain as well.
Benefits
- It’s safe since you’re in water and buoyant, allowing for positions that might be uncomfortable or put you and/or baby at risk.
- It could help to reduce swelling in legs, ankles and feet.
- It helps to improve your posture and body awareness in and out of the water.
- It’s relaxing and stress-reducing.
- It provides pain relief from aching muscles/joints.
Safe exercising
Ligaments have increased laxity during pregnancy, which can lead to considerable pain while performing traditional exercises. It also can make pregnant women prone to injury during regular workouts.
Aquatic therapy relieves some of the excess stress on the ligaments. It also provides a safer environment for exercising, as there’s no risk of falling.
Reducing pregnancy side effects
One of the most common side effects women experience during pregnancy is swollen ankles, legs and feet. The water pressure from aquatic therapy can help boost circulation and decrease some of the swelling. It allows pregnant women to experience less discomfort in their extremities.
Relaxation
Women struggle with weight gain during pregnancy, physically and psychologically. Aquatic therapy offers a weightless sensation that can help temporarily alleviate such struggles. That feeling of weightlessness can create a relaxing experience, especially for women further along in their pregnancy.
Pregnant women could feel reduced pressure on their spine and joints during aquatic therapy. When done consistently, this form of exercise also can strengthen the muscles without putting the body through pain.
Pain relief
By improving circulation, reducing swelling and minimizing stress, aquatic therapy provides significant pain-relieving effects.
Constant muscle strengthening and stretching, without the added bodyweight, prepares women for additional weight gain. Additionally, because of the hydrostatic pressure’s efficiency, aquatic therapy provides benefits that last much longer than the effects of using traditional compression garments.
An alternative therapy
Aquatic therapy is ideal for pregnant women. However, that doesn’t mean it’s as easy as jumping in a pool and moving around. For it to work, it’s always best to seek professional guidance from a provider and follow a dedicated program that caters specifically to your needs.
Amy McClaskey is a physical therapist with Unified Therapy Services in Dubuque.
