According to PainAustralia, 1 in 5 Australians are currently living with chronic pain.While the condition affects people of all ages, 68% of chronic pain sufferers are comprised of working-age adults. It’s a serious health issue that impacts a person’s quality of life and productivity.
One of the prevalent conditions that involve chronic pain is fibromyalgia, estimated to affect a million Australians. Fibromyalgia is a complex and persistent pain syndrome that can involve the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and surrounding structures in the absence of obvious tissue damage.
As per the National Health Service UK information, the main treatments for fibromyalgia and chronic pain include exercise, talking therapies, and medication. Under exercise, aquatic therapy is an approach that’s gaining traction in pain management.
Aquatic therapy utilises the buoyancy and resistance of water to help alleviate pain and improve overall wellbeing. This therapeutic modality offers several benefits that address the unique challenges that chronic pain and fibromyalgia present.These include reduced impact and improved mobility as training in water allows gentle movements and stretching. This enhances flexibility without placing undue stress on sensitive areas of the body.
Training in a warm water environment can also be soothing and relaxing, promoting the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, to provide relief from pain and discomfort. What’s more, regularly participating in aquatic therapy can help improve sleep quality and fatigue management. These, in turn, help promote restorative sleep that can help enhance functional ability and increase energy levels.
If you’re considering harnessing the therapeutic properties of water but don’t know how and where to start, you can consult our Exercise Physiologists (EP) at Healthstin Elizabeth. Our EPs would be able to determine the suitability of aquatic therapy to your health condition and develop an individualised treatment plan. Call 1300 090 931 or click this link to book a session or know more.
