Dr. Vijay Kumar is a West Branch physical therapist with many years
of experience helping patients dealing with all kinds of injuries and
conditions regain their full range of motion and strength. Sometime
after he first started his first clinic in West Branch, he started using
aquatic physical therapy treatments to help patients instead of relying
on traditional treatments. Here are three reasons Dr. Kumar has taken
to aquatic physical therapy over traditional treatments in many cases:
- Even, firm resistance. To move in the water, you have to exert more energy and use more muscles. For some physical therapy patients, developing even, lean muscles while in rehabilitation is critical. Dr. Vijay Kumar uses the treatment pools at his facility in West Branch to help people develop this musculature that leads to faster and more complete recovery.
- Improved circulation. The warm temperature of the water facilitates better circulation to all extremities. The water itself exerts hydrostatic pressure on the body, which also helps with circulation. Better circulation is critical for some patients, according to Dr. Vijay Kumar or West Branch because it reduces swelling and improves the efficiency of the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the injury site.
- Soothing effect on muscles. Aquatic physical therapists use warm water for their treatments, between 92 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit usually. This has a soothing effect on muscles, especially for those suffering from muscle spasms and back pain, making it easier to move and complete the physical therapy exercises.
