Hydrostatic pressure, found in water-based therapy principles like hydrotherapy, offers effective ways to reduce swelling when you have an injury to a bone, muscle or joint:
Benefits include:
1. Edema Reduction: Water pressure assists in moving excess fluid away from the injured area. 2. Improved Circulation: Enhances blood flow for better nutrient delivery and faster healing. 3. Lymphatic Drainage: Stimulates the lymphatic system, reducing swelling. 4. Joint Support: Buoyancy reduces strain on joints, aiding movement in injured areas. 5. Pain Relief: Analgesic effects and reduced weight on the injury can alleviate pain.
Pascal's law states that fluid pressure is evenly distributed on all surfaces of an immersed object, intensifying with greater depth. Atmospheric pressure at the surface is 14.7 psi, increasing by 0.43 psi per foot of submersion. This hydrostatic pressure aids in reducing post-injury edema (swelling) and allows exercise in a safe environment with no added swelling. It's a key principle for harnessing therapeutic benefits in aquatic environments.
Human Kinetics. (5th Edition, 2023). Physical Properties and Principles of Water and Aquatic Exercise. Human Kinetics. Retrieved from https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/physical-properties-and-principles-of-water-and-aquatic-exercise
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