When making an evidence-based case for any kind of physiotherapy intervention, sometimes it’s best to have incredibly low expectations.

Although there are now a handful of outcome studies published each month on the power of the pool, there is certainly not a tsunami of irrefutable evidence showing the unequivocal superiority of aquatic therapy. The patient populations in most aquatic studies are just too small and this affects sizes needed to show statistical significance. That’s the bad news.

The good? Misery loves company and we have a lot of it. Most physical medicine and rehabilitation does not have the weight of irrefutable evidence on its side. Do not allow yourself to believe that in the absence of solid evidence, we are required to sit down, have a good cry and wait for evidence about the benefit of aquatic therapy to spring from the earth.

The very act of attempting to convert to an evidence-based practice lays down light through the void, providing a narrow, now-visible path upon which to tread in the future. It prevents us from wasting our time.

So, in that spirit, let’s continue on in our question to understand what benefits aquatics brings to the therapeutic table. To see a fine crop of earlier discussions about the benefit of pool therapy, read also Aquatic Physiotherapy: What Does it Bring to the Therapeutic Table? and Improving a Patient’s Strength and Range of Motion with Aquatic Therapy.

Read: Aquatic Physiotherapy: What Does it Bring to the Therapeutic Table?

Further Learning: Venous Thromboembolism Course

So, what’s our working hypothesis?

Let’s think about this as researchers do. We believe that placing a patient in vertical immersion in water will result in a haemo-dynamic shift from an area with greater pressure (e.g. the legs) to an area of lesser pressure (e.g. the abdomen and thoracic cavity).

This shift can reduce oedema, lymphoedema, effusion and soft tissue and joint swelling, in both lower and upper extremities.

Managing Oedema and Lymphoedema with Hydrotherapy

Let’s try to make a case for immersion using the laws of nature alone.

Pascal’s Law states that:

'Fluid pressure is exerted equally on all surfaces of an immersed body at rest at a given depth.' - Pascal (1623 – 1662)

Hydrostatic pressure acts on people while they stand in water, even in the absence of exercise. What does that pressure do? We know that while pressure is symmetric at any given depth, pressure increases as the depth increases, and this difference creates a shift in fluid from the legs upward.

The resulting pressure gradient can be used to create a therapeutic effect similar to the effect sought when wearing compressive garments, such as Jobst stockings or compression boots.

There are several ways to think about it.

An immersed person will experience the greatest external pressure at the deepest level of immersion (typically the foot);
An immersed person will experience the least external pressure at the shallowest level of immersion (typically the neck or chest); and
An immersed person will experience a net increase in venous and lymphatic blood flow from the level of greatest pressure to the level of least pressure.

There isn’t a massive amount of pressure change within the first 5 feet of water. You can not even feel the pressure in your ears until you get closer to 8 to 9 feet down. So, how does this small amount of pressure do anything useful? And exactly how much pressure does the typical patient experience when standing chest-deep in water?

To calculate how much more pressure there is underwater than on the surface, take any depth and divide it by 34 feet.

As an example, look at a man who is 6 feet tall standing in water, immersed to his neck. At 2 feet under the surface, you will find his abdomen. This region will experience approximately 45 mm more pressure than his neck.

2 feet under the surface = 2/34 = 0.059 ATMs or 45 mm mercury

At 3 feet under the surface, you’ll find his pelvis. This region will experience even greater pressure, almost 70 mm.

3 feet under the surface = 3/34 = 0.088 ATMs or 67 mm mercury

At 4 feet under the surface, the man’s legs are experiencing almost 90 mm of pressure - approximately the same pressure as a normal at 'rest' arterial system.

4 feet under the surface = 4/34 = 0.118 ATMs or 90 mm mercury

Managing Oedema and Lymphoedema with Hydrotherapy under water pressure

Consider that the pressure in the venous and lymphatic systems is much lower than that in the arterial system - as low as 1 to 20 mm mercury. Because the external hydrostatic pressure exceeds the internal venous pressure, fluid moves from the area of greater pressure to the area of lesser pressure. The end result is a shift in haemodynamic flow from distal to proximal, or from legs to the chest and abdomen.

It becomes evident that immersion alone creates a dramatic haemodynamic shift from the lower extremities to the trunk. The therapist can compound this effect by tapping into another natural tool in the fight against lower extremity fluid excess - muscle pump - during immersion by exercising.

Now, let’s look at what the science says.

One researcher stands out 'head and shoulders' for exploring issues of oedema control for patients with lymphoedema. As early as 2004, Tidhar examined the application of aquatic lymphatic therapy for the upper extremities. At the time, conventional wisdom stated that immersion would not have any significant affect on the upper extremity due to the lack of pressure gradient experienced with lower limb immersion. Tidhar’s team studied the effect of aqua lymphatic therapy in women post-mastectomy with axillary node dissection and found a significant reduction in oedema with a technique they called aquatic lymphatic drainage.

In 2007, Tidhar once again addressed” whether it was possible to make a significant impact on oedema with immersion – this time in the lower extremity.

By 2010, Tidhar was back again. This time he pondered whether Aqua Lymphatic Therapy (ALT) was a safe method for lymphoedema control and whether there were differences in adherence, limb volume and quality of life between women who performed only self-management treatment and women who also participated in aquatics. A significant immediate and insignificant long-term effect on limb volume was noted with aquatics.

Other researchers followed and soon, the discussion shifted. It was now accepted that immersion could reduce upper extremity oedema, something that took a long time to recognise.

Researchers decided to ask more practical questions. For instance, is it possible to create a specially designed aquatic exercise program especially for oedema management?

Researchers tested the value of their exercise program by placing 16 patients with chronic lower limb oedema into 5 sessions of physical exercises designed for oedema control. One week after the end of the protocol, the average reduction in lower limb volume was 303.13 ± 69.72 ml and 334.38 ± 62.50 ml in the right and left legs, respectively. Ankle range of motion and feeling of heaviness significantly improved.

These results are a delight to observe.

Such a protocol offers hope for individuals with chronic oedema who have – for so long – been unable to find any treatment with a lasting effect.

Once again, the pool shows its power to overcome the limitations we live with on land.

References:

Barker, AL, Talevski, J, Morello, RT, Brand, CA, Rahmann, AE & Urquhart, DM 2014, ‘Effectiveness of Aquatic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Meta-Analysis’, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 95, no. 9, pp. 1776–86, viewed 9 November 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24769068
Carpentier, PH, Blaise, S, Satger, B, Genty, C, Rolland, C, Roques, C & Bosson, J 2013, ‘A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Balneotherapy in Patients With Advanced Chronic Venous Insufficiency’, Journal of Vascular Surgery, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 447–54, viewed9 November 2017, http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/24135621
Devkate, GV, Tate, SS, Deokate, SB, Bhujbal, AS, Tupe, AP & Patil, RN 2016, ‘Hydrotherapy: A New Trend in Disease Treatment’, International Journal of Science and Research Methodology, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 117–135, viewed 9 November 2017, http://ijsrm.humanjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/11.Ganesh-V-Devkate-Sandeep-S-Tate-Sonali-B-Deokate-Atul-S-Bhujbal-Avinash-P-Tupe-Dr-Rajendra-N.-Patil.pdf
Gianesini, S, Tessari, M, Bacciglieri, P, Malagoni, AM, Menegatti, E, Occhionorelli, S, Basaglia, N & Zamboni, P 2016, ‘A Specifically Designed Aquatic Exercise Protocol to Reduce Chronic Lower Limb Edema’, Phlebology, vol. 32, no. 9, pp. 594-600, viewed 9 November 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27756859.
Johansson, K, Hayes, S, Speck, RM & Schmitz, KH 2013, ‘Water-Based Exercise for Patients With Chronic Arm Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial’, American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, vol. 92, no. 4, pp. 312–19, viewed 9 November 2017, http://journals.lww.com/ajpmr/Abstract/2013/04000/Water_Based_Exercise_for_Patients_with_Chronic_Arm.4.aspx
Letellier, ME, Towers, A, Shimony, A & Tidhar, D 2014, ‘Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled Pilot and Feasibility Study’, American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, vol. 93, no. 9, pp. 751–63, viewed 9 November 2017, http://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000000089
Tidhar, D, Shimony, A & Drouin, J 2004, ‘Aqua Lymphatic Therapy for Post-Surgical Breast Cancer Lymphedema’, Rehabilitation Oncology, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 6-14, viewed 9 November 2017, http://journals.lww.com/rehabonc/Citation/2004/22030/Aqua_Lymphatic_Therapy_for_Postsurgical_Breast.5.aspx.
Tidhar, D, Drouin, J & Shimony, A 2007, ‘Aqua Lymphatic Therapy in Managing Lower Extremity Lymphedema’, Journal of Supportive Oncology, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 179-83 viewed 9 November 2017, http://www.aqua-lymphatic-therapy.com/files/Aqua_Lymphatic_Therapy_in_Managing_Lower_Extremity_Lymphedema.pdf.
Tidhar, D & Katz-Leurer, M 2010, ‘Aqua Lymphatic Therapy in Women who Suffer from Breast Cancer Treatment-Related Lymphedema: A Randomized Controlled study’, Support Care in Cancer, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 383-92, viewed 9 November 2017, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-009-0695-2

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