The Difference between Aquatic Therapy and Regular Physical Therapy T his blog is based on my personal experiences with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). For more information, please see my disclaimer . Therapy on land or in a pool can both help with the joints, flexibility, and increase muscle strength while keeping muscles active. Therapy helps you learn safe ways to move and regain confidence in your body. It also provides structure and support, making progress feel achievable. Years ago, when I was diagnosed, doctors were trying to figure out what type of therapy would be best for my situation. The first therapy I tried was land therapy. This one was the worst for my situation because when it was time to leave, I couldn’t walk. Electrical stimulation was also a part of this therapy along with physical workouts. The reason I couldn’t walk after this was that my ankle would swell up and prevent me from walking. This was overwhelming because I am a mom and I have thin...
Three Therapies to Manage Nerve Pain From CRPS
This blog is based on my personal experiences with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). For more information, please see my disclaimer.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome CRPS is a long-term condition that can develop after an injury, causing nerve damage in the area. I'm still in my early journey with certain treatments after years of trying to find the right therapy. Here are the three I'm currently doing, with the hope that they will help me over time.
Aquatic Therapy is a type of physical therapy performed in a warm water pool. The water's buoyancy supports the body, reducing pressure on the joints and making movements easier, while the warm water helps relax muscles and improve flexibility.
Aquatic Therapy
I have been attending aquatic therapy for some months now. A few years ago, I tore a few ligaments in my ankle, and my condition developed into CRPS. After trying this therapy, I can say doing exercises in the pool compared to on land is very different because I have more control over my body and more ability to move and not feel the pressure gravity gives on land. I have some unstable movements when trying to exercise on land, but with aquatic therapy, I am able to perform more exercises in the pool with less pain. In the pool, I also use light weights about 5 pounds or less.
When I leave the pool, I feel soreness but without as much pain. I also do a pool massage that blows out powerful water like a fire hydrant. Some people use it for their lower back, but I like to use it for my hip and the top of my leg because sometimes the pain in my ankle will go up to my hip. The massage is very powerful, and it does seem like it gets deep in the muscles. I don't like using the pool massage for my ankle because it's too much pressure and it's uncomfortable. After working out in the pool, my body does feel lighter, my skin feels smoother, and my muscles feel relaxed if I don't do too much work out.
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy is a treatment that uses low or high light to target specific areas of the body. The light is designed to help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation and may also encourage healing in damaged tissues.
My first time doing laser therapy was a calm experience. This therapy required me to wear sunglasses to protect my eyes from the laser light. I usually lie down on the bed while a big laser machine is over my ankle. The laser points at my ankle for about 20 minutes. The process is painless, and it doesn't take much effort. One day, I went in for a treatment, and this was different because my ankle was placed on some type of laser machine, and when I was done, my ankle was really stiff, and I could barely walk. I started to feel pain that wouldn't go away. I don't believe the laser caused the pain, I believe it was the way my ankle was positioned in the machine. This laser was different from the first one because the first one allowed my ankle to be free, and this one holds the ankle in position. Honestly, I didn't like the second laser machine. So I asked my therapist to stop with the second one until we can find a better solution.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical Stimulation Therapy is a treatment where small sticky pads are placed on the skin and connected to a device that sends mild electrical pulses to the area. These pulses create a tingling feeling and can help reduce muscle activity. The intensity is adjusted based on what you can handle.
When I first started Electrical stimulation, I could feel the pulse in my ankle. The feeling is very weird but not painful; it feels like I'm being shocked. The therapy lasts about 20 minutes. After it's over, I do feel some pulsing and tingling in the ankle. Sometimes my nurse would try to do a massage for me, but if the nurse is not gentle or touches a certain spot too fast, it would cause me pain, especially on bad weather days. I thank God for allowing me to have a good nurse who understands my condition and knows how to handle my situation with care. This type of therapy doesn't require much; all I have to do is relax. I like this therapy because it feels like it's trying to wake my nerves up in my ankle, and that's a good thing. Living with complex regional pain syndrome is a daily challenge, and finding therapies that help manage pain takes time and patience. When this first happened to me, I was receiving the wrong therapy. This was frustrating because the pain kept getting worse. While everyone's journey is different, options like the three therapies I mentioned can make a difference. Trying these therapies I have to be patient with myself because I'm the type of person who wants quick healing results. Being consistent with it all is my goal. Sometimes my pain can be a distraction, but I'm more determined to see results than being distracted by the pain. Appreciate the small process along the way. God is in control. Therapy isn't just about exercise; it's about building a plan that supports your body and your life. Most importantly, it's tailored to your needs and managing your recovery.