Warm Water Success | LifeScape

Warm Water Success

There are lots of benefits to movement and exercise in the water, for adults and kids. Did you know that LifeScape has a warm water pool at our 26th street location in Sioux Falls? Our pool averages a warm and relaxing 96° Fahrenheit, which is perfect for relaxing tight muscles and decreasing pain.

Aquatic therapy is a great option for a variety of conditions and diagnoses.

Post-injury – People recovering from surgery or from an injury can greatly benefit from aquatic therapy. Exercising in the water is known to have lasting effects for kids and those with disabilities as well.

Children – Aqua therapy is excellent for kids who are developing motor skills. Because they can move in a weightless space (the pool), they can work muscle groups and joints more than they could on land. Kids with spinal cord injuries and diagnoses such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, hypotonia, developmental delays, Down syndrome and stroke, all can benefit greatly from pool therapy.

Cerebral Palsy – People who have cerebral palsy can benefit from all types of therapy, but water allows those with CP to hydrate their bodies, thus revitalizing their musculoskeletal systems. The weightlessness that water provides is also beneficial and allows people with cerebral palsy to practice balance in a safe environment.

Patients with Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries – Studies have shown that aquatic therapy enhances recovery efforts for people with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Water can help strengthen muscles and develop motor coordination – even in patients who are weak, paralyzed or partially paralyzed. In addition, warm water can help alleviate anxiety and provide a calming environment, further helping those with brain injuries. Balance exercises, essential to those with neurological conditions, can be performed safely in water, and helps patients be less afraid of falling.

Autism – Children and adults with autism need calm and non-stimulating environments to thrive. Warm water can help children learn in an environment where they can experience exercise without the stress of too much stimulation. Water can also help them develop a greater sense of wellbeing, and give them a chance to work muscles for greater mobility without stimulation and distractions typical on playgrounds or in gyms.

Therapy in warm water offers many benefits, including the following:

  • Increase in joint flexibility. Buoyancy offers a tremendous advantage because it reduces the effects of gravity, allowing for increased joint range-of-motion. Your affected body part will float, making it easier and less painful to move. The warm water also helps to relax muscles that are sore or tight.
  • Increase in muscle strength. Water is 600-700 times more resistive than air, which allows for strengthening of weakened muscles. Water resists rapid movement so equipment with increased surface area is used to increase strength in the pool.
  • Decrease in pain. Immersion in warm water increases an individual’s comfort, by increasing blood supply to sore muscles and promoting relaxation. Weight relief to weakened body structures also creates additional comfort.
  • Decrease in abnormal tone, spasticity, and rigidity. Water temperatures above 92 degrees in conjunction with hands-on techniques are effective in creating neutral warmth that reduces increased tone due to a neurological injury.
  • Improved balance. The uniform pressure of the water along with buoyancy provides support to your body which allows you increased time to react without the fear of falling or getting hurt.

If you are interested in pool therapy for your child or young adult, give us a call to learn more! 605-444-9700.