WATER, THE BEST HEALER
However, the reception is less, Shivani feels. “People are receptive towards it only when prescribed by doctors, but very few are interested in considering it as an exercise. The ones who have experienced it will continue with aqua exercises.”
RECEPTION IN INDIA
Zahabia Basrai, a California-licensed physiotherapist who works in Mumbai and California, prescribes aqua therapy for patients with degenerative joints. She finds it very beneficial for all age groups, especially the elderly. “From a physiotherapy and muscular system point of view, the health benefits of aqua therapy are enormous; it’s an excellent way to tone muscles while keeping them supple, and without loading the joint,” she says.
A physiotherapist for nine years, she has seen people in the US very receptive to aqua-therapy; but in India, only swimmers prefer it. “Many people who do not swim are not comfortable in the pool. There is a common misconception that aqua therapy can’t be done by people who do not know swimming. That’s not true.”
Manisha Khungar, a swim and fitness instructor in NCR practising for the past 20 years, sees other reasons for the slow reception. “We are challenged in terms of pools in India. We do not have enough of them or water bodies. So the idea of aqua therapy is remote. Though many therapists recommend it, this therapy is not that popular due to lack of pools.”
She finds aqua therapy as a great form of physical activity to improve flexibility, mobility and movement, enhance relaxation and reduce stress on muscle while increasing aerobic capacity. “It’s used to treat a wide range of conditions which are neurological, arthritis, postsurgery rehab, neck and back issues, developmental delay and cardiac rehab.
Stressing on the benefits, Zahabia says, “Aqua therapy helps recovery in neurological conditions like stroke, paralysis, developmental disabilities in children and motor issues like cerebral palsy, arthritis and hip, knee and back pain. A wide range of sports injuries can also be cured.”
The popularity might be slow-growing, but every professional vouches for the magical advantages of aqua therapy. As American philosopher and natural science writer Loren Eiseley fantastically puts it, “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”