Water has certain characteristics that are helpful for the rehabilitation of land animals, including humans! Firstly, buoyancy helps to reduce the pressure load on joints. This property of water reduces the amount of weight-bearing necessary and can thus help with the rehabilitation of weak muscles and alleviate joint pain while allowing the correct use of muscles. We have found this modality to be particularly helpful for patients with hyperextension injuries or fractures.

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The second property of water is its ability to exert hydrostatic pressure, or the force exerted by a fluid because of gravity. Since this force exerted is so evenly distributed, hydrostatic pressure can be beneficial for swollen joints and tissue. The pressure acting on these areas can 1) act as a ‘compression stocking’ for the submerged areas, reducing swelling, and 2) provide pain relief. The constant resistance of water against the body causes phasic stimuli to be continually sent to the skin’s sensory receptors. In response, the body reduces nociceptor (a pain receptor) hypersensitivity. In short, the body’s sensation of touch and hence of pain is reduced as a natural response to hydrostatic pressure.

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Additionally, this pressure also acts on body extremities e.g. limbs to oppose the tendency of blood and fluid to pool and stagnate in these areas, hence stimulating circulation in the patient’s body.