ClinicResearch Article | DOI: https://doi.org/10.31579/ 2834-5142 /115
The Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy in the Management and Improvement of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Khajeh Nasiruddin Toosi University. Tehran.Iran.
2 M.A in Physical Education. Kharazmi University. Tehran.Iran.
*Corresponding Author: Yaser Khanjari, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education, Khajeh Nasiruddin Toosi University. Tehran.Iran.
Citation: Yaser Khanjari, Raziye Garooei, (2025), The Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy in the Management and Improvement of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review, International Journal of Clinical Nephrology, 4(6) DOI:10.31579/ 2834-5142 /115
Copyright: © 2025, Yaser Khanjari. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Received: 05 December 2025 | Accepted: 15 December 2025 | Published: 30 December 2025
Keywords: aquatic therapy; lumbar disc herniation; low back pain; hydrotherapy; rehabilitation
Abstract
Introduction: Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is one of the most common causes of low back pain and radicular pain, imposing a significant financial and social burden on society. Aquatic therapy (hydrotherapy), as a non-invasive intervention utilizing the physical properties of water, has found a special place in rehabilitation protocols. This review study aimed to investigate the existing evidence regarding the benefits of aquatic therapy for patients with lumbar disc herniation.
Methods: In this systematic review, a search was conducted in Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Scopus databases using the keywords "Aquatic Therapy," "Hydrotherapy," "Lumbar Disc Herniation," "Low Back Pain," and their Persian equivalents. Articles published between and (2011 to 2023) were reviewed.
Results: The findings indicate that aquatic therapy, through multiple mechanisms including reduced load on the discs due to buoyancy, increased local blood circulation from hydrostatic pressure, relaxation of spasmodic muscles, and improved range of motion, leads to a significant reduction in pain, improved physical function, and enhanced quality of life in patients.
Discussion and Conclusion: It appears that aquatic therapy can be used as a safe, effective, and complementary intervention alongside other conservative treatment methods for patients with lumbar disc herniation. Designing specific and standardized programs based on each patient's condition is essential for achieving maximum effectiveness.
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