Post-Surgery Healing: Why Aquatic Exercise is Your Brain & Body's Best Ally (New Research)

 (By Aileen Weintraub)

How Aquatic Exercise Revolutionizes Post-Surgery Healing for Body and Mind

For individuals over 60, just five minutes of walking can offer remarkable brain benefits, according to new research.

Recovering from surgery presents a unique set of challenges, both physically and mentally. The journey back to an active lifestyle can seem daunting, especially when the body isn't responding as it once did. However, an increasingly recognized and effective alternative to traditional land-based physical therapy and exercise is emerging from the water: aquatic therapy. New research, including a 2024 study, highlights that aquatic exercise can significantly aid patients in their recovery, boosting both mental and physical well-being after most surgical procedures.

Aquatic Exercise is Your Brain & Body's Best Ally (New Research)

"Water therapy is sometimes even more effective than land-based therapy because surgery patients don’t have the same range of motion and mobility," explains Mara Karamitopoulos, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health in New York.

The Unparalleled Advantages of Water

For those grappling with post-surgical inflammation, muscle tightness, and joint discomfort, the aquatic environment offers distinct advantages that traditional exercise simply cannot match.

Aquatic Exercise is Your Brain & Body's Best Ally (New Research)

Buoyancy and Reduced Impact

The natural buoyancy of water is a game-changer. It allows individuals to move in ways that might be impossible or painful on land. Standing in water significantly reduces the impact of body weight, which takes immense pressure off joints and minimizes discomfort. This makes postsurgical movement considerably more tolerable and accessible.

Natural Resistance for Strength and Endurance

Beyond buoyancy, the viscosity of water provides inherent resistance. This natural resistance is crucial for building endurance and strengthening muscles without the harsh impact of gravity. "You can work on strengthening, walking and reacquiring skills after surgery, even if you have significant restrictions," says Dr. Karamitopoulos. All of this can be achieved without the sensation of "breaking a sweat" typical of land-based workouts.

Safety and Support

The protective nature of water cannot be overstated. It's incredibly difficult to experience a hard fall in a pool, making it an ideal environment to practice movement and balance before transitioning to a gym or workout room. For those fortunate enough to access a therapeutic pool, where water temperatures are typically maintained between 88 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, there's an additional therapeutic benefit. Warm water is highly effective at reducing swelling, also known as edema, a common post-operative symptom.

Carol Stillman, a physical therapist specializing in aquatics at Sutton Place Physical and Aquatic Therapy in New York, likens the pool to "a wraparound compressive wrap, or a giant Spanx, that slashes edema, one of the biggest post-op symptoms after surgery." Furthermore, warm water can improve circulation and decrease postsurgical pain, according to a study involving 190 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair surgery.

The Profound Mental Health Boost

Major surgery often leaves patients grappling with residual anxiety. The inability to perform previous activities, coupled with changes in body image, can contribute to significant emotional distress. Aquatic exercise offers a powerful antidote.

Aquatic Exercise is Your Brain & Body's Best Ally (New Research)

· Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Reduction: A 2022 meta-analysis found a significant correlation between water exercise and reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

· Improved Well-being for Cancer Patients: A 2023 study involving 60 breast cancer patients demonstrated that 12 months of aquatic therapy effectively relieved fatigue, tension, depression, and anger, while also improving their overall well-being after treatment. Remarkably, researchers concluded that it was even more effective than yoga or Pilates for this patient group.

· Dopamine Release: Like most forms of physical activity, aquatic exercise stimulates the release of dopamine—the "feel-good" hormone—which helps foster relaxation and enjoyment during movement.

Shea Andreone, a certified water fitness instructor at the YMCA in Culver City, California, highlights the unique freedom water provides: "You can hang from a pool noodle or put dumbbells under your arms, and all of a sudden, you release tension in the body that the land exercises wouldn’t allow you to do." She adds that moving in water engages muscles most people don’t ordinarily use, yet it doesn't feel as challenging. "You’re getting quite a workout, and you’ll sleep really well, too," Andreone notes.

Navigating Aquatic Therapy: Access and Recommendations

Despite the clear benefits of aquatic therapy, Dr. Karamitopoulos points out a significant hurdle: it is not prescribed by doctors often enough, and finding certified licensed therapists offering the service can be challenging. This gap in access means many individuals who could greatly benefit from water-based rehabilitation might not be aware of it or able to find it.

Aquatic Exercise is Your Brain & Body's Best Ally (New Research)

"There are many people who can’t do an aerobics class, either from a bone and joint perspective, from a cardiac perspective or from a balance perspective, but they may be able to do a program that’s modified in the water," Dr. Karamitopoulos explains. If formal aquatic physical therapy isn't readily available, she suggests exploring aqua aerobics classes once you have received clearance from your doctor.

Choosing the Right Aquatic Program:

The type of water exercise best suited for your recovery will depend heavily on your specific surgery and current physical condition. This necessitates a thorough conversation with your doctor.

"For some people, depending on their baseline, they’ll be working on stretching, being upright or their posture. For other people, it can include walking. Then you can work up to resisted running in the water," Dr. Karamitopoulos advises.

Physical therapist Carol Stillman recommends starting with aquatic therapy sessions twice a week for six to eight weeks. Following this initial phase, transitioning to aqua aerobics classes in a group setting can help maintain strength and continue progress. Stillman reassures potential participants that you don't need to be a strong swimmer to join an aqua aerobics class.

Five Essential Tips Before Taking the Plunge

1. Get Your Doctor's Approval: Before starting any exercise post-surgery, always consult your doctor. Confirm that your surgical wounds are safe to get wet and determine the earliest possible time you can enter the water after your operation.

2. Assess Pool Readiness: Certain conditions may preclude water immersion. If you have open wounds, experience seizures, or struggle with incontinence, you might need to avoid water. However, urinary incontinence is often acceptable in therapeutic pool settings.

3. Tour the Facility: Before your first session, take a tour of the facility. Ensure easy and safe access in and out of the pool. Some aquatic therapists utilize a chair lift, which is ideal, but many aqua aerobics classes only offer pool ladders, which can be challenging to navigate post-surgery.

4. Communicate with Your Instructor/Therapist: Always inform your instructor or therapist about your specific limitations and medical history related to your surgery. If you're in a group setting, don't hesitate to ask for modifications that accommodate your needs.

5. Pace Yourself: Resist the urge to push too hard, especially in the early stages of recovery. "Put your competitive nature aside and enjoy the water," advises Shea Andreone. Remember, any movement is beneficial movement.

By embracing the unique properties of water, patients can find a gentle yet effective path to regaining strength, mobility, and emotional well-being after surgery, making the journey to recovery smoother and more enjoyable.