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1 Department of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, USA
2 Department of Health and Human Performance, USA
*Corresponding author: Natalie Michaels, Department of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, USA
Submission: February 22, 2019; Published: March 15, 2019
Volume1 Issue4 March , 2019
Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis, affecting over 30 million people in the United states alone [1]. OA affects both men and women is listed as one of the most frequent causes of physical disability in the older adult population [2]. The joint pain experienced by patients with OA often results in decreased mobility and function which contributes to the weight gain, joint swelling, muscle weakness, and depression often observed in this population [3]. As a physical therapist (PT) and an occupational therapist (OT), we have both been exposed to many interventions supported in the literature to reduce pain and improve mobility in individuals with OA, including pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and surgical interventions [4].
This paper discusses the use of aquatic exercise as an option to improve mobility and reduce pain for people with OA. OT and PT both fall within the non-pharmacological intervention category. According to Woods et al., the only non-pharmacological interventions offered by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) for knee OA are the use of appliances like braces and insoles, and appropriate footwear, although these researchers found transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TNS) to be an effective option. Aquatic exercise was not mentioned, and yet, this is a good alternative to pharmacological measures in the reduction of pain from OA.
Keywords: Aquatic exercise; Arthritis; Osteoarthritis
Ph.D in Agriculture from Faculty of Agriculture, Tohoku University
Research Professor, PhD, Holistic Research Institute
Professor, Chief Doctor, Director of Department of Pediatric Surgery, Associate Director of Department of Surgery, Doctoral Supervisor Tongji hospital, Tongji medical college, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Senior Research Engineer and Professor, Center for Refining and Petrochemicals, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Fellow of International Agency for Standards and Ratings (IASR), Edith Cowan University, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute
Chancellor Emeritus / Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Physics, University of Missouri–St. Louis
Ph.D in Science from the Federal University of Alagoas, UFAL, Brazil
Assistant Professor in College of Architecture, Art and Design
Interim Dean, College of Education and Health Sciences, Director of Biomechanics Laboratory, Sport Science Innovation Program, Bridgewater State University
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