What is a benefit of aquatic therapy?

Aquatic therapy provides the benefit of reduced joint stress due to buoyancy. When individuals are submerged in water, the buoyancy reduces the weight and load on their joints, which can significantly decrease pain and discomfort during physical rehabilitation. This environment allows patients to perform movements that might otherwise be painful or difficult on land. Water's natural resistance also enables effective strengthening exercises without placing undue stress on the body. The therapeutic properties of water enhance mobility and promote healing while minimizing the risk of injury, making aquatic therapy particularly suitable for individuals recovering from surgery, injury, or those with chronic pain conditions.

The other options suggest increasing joint stress or higher impact workouts, which contradict the fundamental principles of aquatic therapy focused on gentle, rehabilitative movements. Lastly, while improvement in land-based mobility can result from aquatic therapy, it is a secondary benefit stemming from the primary advantage of decreased joint stress in the water.