Indications are the specific conditions, goals, or physical needs that make aquatic therapy suitable. In fitness and sports, aquatic therapy is used when land-based training is limited by pain, load intolerance, fatigue, injury, or recovery demands. Understanding indications ensures exercises are safe, effective, and goal-directed, not random water workouts.

Key reasons we use water:

• Reduced joint loading through buoyancy

• Controlled resistance for strength and conditioning

• Hydrostatic pressure for circulation and swelling control

• Safer early return to movement after injury

The therapeutic effects of water are driven by:

• Buoyancy: reduces joint compression and body weight

• Hydrostatic pressure: assists circulation and swelling reduction

• Viscosity: provides uniform resistance in all directions

• Thermal effects: promotes muscle relaxation and pain modulation