Integral Aquatic Therapy (TIA©) is a gentle and effective type of Body Therapy and rehabilitation performed in warm water (35° C). It combines elements of soft tissue manipulation and massage, joint mobilization, trigger-point therapy, stretching and myofascial and positional release into a beautiful sequence of fluid movements. During a TIA© session, the patient can totally relax. The face and nose remain out of water since they are supported by water, different floating devices (used when necessary) or/and the healing hands of the practitioner.
The effects of warm water (ideally performed in salt water or water treated with ozone) produce spontaneous responses in the connective tissue and the autonomic nervous system as well as on the emotional and energetic levels. This leads to a deep state of relaxation and decreases stress. In this state, the releasing of myofascial restrictions and joint adhesions facilitates an increase in general motion, defines the different areas treated and opens new neuromuscular pathways.
Contrary to bodywork we do in a gravity field where the client’s body is stabilized on a treatment table, in the water, the body is free to move around and be moved, locally or entirely stretched in unusual directions and ways. The entire spinal column can be moved with snake-like and spiral waves which are impossible to achieve outside the water. Hip and shoulder joints can be decompressed more easily and be guided into new movements in a less painful environment. The hydrostatic pressure of water simulates hundreds of soft hands sustaining and massaging the entire body from all directions simultaneously.
For a patient who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) or chronic pain (CP), this therapy could be the first painless movement they have experienced in a long time.
TIA© has been used and has shown immediate and long term positive results in treatment programs for patients with RA, OA and CP in our Kinesis Physiotherapy centre in Benicásim, Spain (also for Swedish patients from different Stress management and Burnout Syndrome programs who are lodged for some time in our city to receive treatments) as well as in various clinics in New Zealand.
Some patients who have benefited so far on a personal level are: patients with musculoskeletal trauma injuries, spinal cord injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, cerebral palsy, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, post-mastectomy, rotator cuff injury and stress syndrome.
We offer courses for health professionals.
