Several recent studies analyzed the effects of exercising in water on chronic pain conditions. Results show that water-based exercises are effective in relieving pain in everything from osteoarthritis to fibromyalgia to back pain. A small study of knee osteoarthritis patients, age 46-77, finds that aqua-cycling provides immediate pain relief and reduction for participants.1 In a 2016 study involving women with fibromyalgia, researchers report that 10 treatment sessions of water-based Ai Chi (which is similar to Tai Chi in a pool) led to significant improvements in pain perception, energy, emotional health and overall quality of life.2 Another study also shows that deep-water running significantly reduces pain and disability among people with low back pain.3
Researchers give several reasons for this. There is very little impact to the body’s bones and joints due to the buoyancy of the water. The pressure of the water reduces swelling in injured tissues. Additionally, water exercise improves range of motion and flexibility because water works the both the flexor and extensor muscles.
If you or someone you care about suffers from one of the mentioned conditions or similar ones, physical therapy is another safe and proven method to improve pain.
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