“Aquatic Therapy for a Bulging Disc"
By Tommy Hoffman, Licensed Physical Therapist
While a pool may be for some people a great way to keep the children (and themselves) cool in the summer time, it can also serve as an excellent way to perform exercises for your back pain due to a bulging disc. This is because while you perform a specific set of exercises while in the pool for your back pain, the buoyancy will aid in unloading the spine, taking pressure off pinched nerves and compressed bulging or herniated discs.
Benefits for Getting Started with Aquatic Therapy
As you may want some expert advice on which exercises to perform, your physician can recommend a physical therapist that may provided you with the much needed assistance you require in order to do things properly. The physician will need to provide you with a written referral or prescription for “aquatic therapy” and indicate the duration and frequency you are to attend the physical therapy program.
Participation in an aquatic therapy program may result in:
- Increased core strength – this is vital to the physical well being of the lumbar spine.
- Endurance – Your ability to sustain an activity for a prolonged period of time.
- Balance- Improves the ability to maintain your center of gravity over your base of support.
- Coordination- Restores harmony previously lost due to injury.
- Flexibility- Restoration for proper length of involved muscle groups.
- Reduced stress- Exercises provide a much needed outlet of negative energy.
- Decreased pain levels- Promotes healing in and around the bulging disc(s).
As an added benefit, one can include the use of floatation devices to increase safety and/or comfort levels. This allows the wearer to more sufficiently relax and reduce fear. A floatation device will also reduce the energy expenditure which can have certain advantages for individuals who are somewhat deconditioned.
Indirect advantages of aquatic therapy for your back pain are the psychological benefits. And may include greater self esteem, improved self reliance, and reduced anxiety. While not the primary objective to start, these benefits can also make for yet more positive reasons to start an aquatic therapy program other than trying to fix your bulging disc back pain.
Additional Thoughts to Consider
Other equipment you physical therapist might have you incorporate are goggles, flippers and hand paddles. Flippers and hand paddles can be used to increase resistance while in the water and quickly improve upper and lower extremity strength.
As you may not have considered your pool as a legitimate answer to healing your BULGING DISC back pain, think again. Despite what you may have thought previously, aquatic therapy should be explored as a feasible option and at the very least a realistic alternative for maintaining physical fitness.
Before beginning any exercise program, it is recommended that you first consult a physician. Only a physician can determine what type of exercise, the frequency, and the intensity that is appropriate for each individual
Good Luck,
Tommy Hoffman, P.T.Tommy Hoffman
"Don't spend more time with bulging disc pain by not finding out the truth today!"