As I have stated many times in my blog, I am not a fan of physical therapy. However, my arthritis pain has increased, and I am trying to get off of some of the heavy medications that I must take every day.
Last week, I had a physical therapy evaluation. A tall, muscular guy, whom I thought was my new therapist, took me to a small room and tested how long I could perform specific stretches without dying of pain. He was surprised I could touch the floor, since I was approaching 70.
Man, by the time I got out of there, every bone in my body hurt. His recommendation: traditional physical therapy, where you work different muscles in the gym, would not help me. Interesting. I got a little excited thinking we could forget the whole thing, and I could do my own therapy from a YouTube video.
I donât like getting in the water and doing aerobics, but he did say that would be the most helpful. I asked what people wore in the water. A string bikini was out, as was any swimsuit. My husband Mark cut an old pair of my sweatpants into shorts, and I will top it with an old T-shirt. I am doing five sessions of water aerobics, and then I will be reevaluated.
Ease Arthritis Pain the Aerobic Way
The buoyancy of the water reduces the impact on your joints, so it is perfect for those recovering from injuries, or joint issues like arthritis. You feel like youâve had an effective cardiac workout without suffering from pain afterward.
Burn Calories
Woo Hoo! Who doesnât like that?
Why is that? Youâre using multiple muscles at the same time and working against the gravity of the water. Compared to a traditional workout in the gym, water aerobics burns calories more efficiently. If you keep at it for a full hour, you can burn 400-600 calories!
Relieve Stress
If youâre like me, some days are so stressful that I feel like punching something or devouring a whole chocolate cake.
According to the British Heart Foundation, âWater aerobics is a great stress reliever, the water massages and cools you, giving you a feeling of weightlessness and an enormous sense of well-being.â
Increased Mobility
I donât like to admit it, but as we age, our mobility may decrease. You may notice changes in your posture and gait.
According to Nestle Health Science, âPeople may notice an impact on mobility when engaging in activities such as walking. Aging affects muscle mass and strength, bone density, and can make joints stiffer and less flexible due to a reduction of cartilage thickness.â
Water aerobics lets you stretch and exercise in a low-impact way. You donât have to worry about stumbling or losing your balance because the water provides a soft landing.
Make New Friends
What better way to make new friends than to take a water aerobics class at the local gym or public pool? Socializing is beneficial for your mental health, which in turn impacts your physical health.
Improve Heart Health
Who doesnât like to have fun while theyâre exercising? Aquatic fitness is a fun, effective way to build cardiovascular strength.
The water’s pressure adds resistance, improving blood circulation. When you have better circulation, thereâs less strain on your heart, and over time, you may lower your risk of heart disease.
Final Thoughts
My second water aerobics class went much better, and I slept my usual five hours. I am going to keep going in for more sessions and see if I canât stop taking so much medication and sleep better.
Try these tips and see how they work for you. You may discover that water aerobics is a good option to control your arthritis pain.
