Many people with RSD/CRPS have muscular atrophy and muscular spasms. Aquatic exercise in our warm therapy pools allow the muscles to relax, which decrease the likelyhood of spasms. Aquatic exercise will also allow you to build up muscle strength and bone strength. Because of the water's properties, such as buoyancy and resistance, you will be able to increase your muscles' strength. The added impact from exercising will increase you bones' density, making them stronger.

     CRPS/RSD patients tend to have sensitivity to touch, or a tingling/burning sensation. The water helps to break the pain cycle and improve temperature sensitivity. Some RSD/CRPS patients prefer slightly warmer water during exercise, as often they are more sensitive to cold. Cooler water may initially produce some constriction of blood vessels; however, this is not harmful as it is your body's natural mechanism to conserve body heat. This response can be reduced by performing a few minutes of vigorous exercise to increase muscle activity and circulation. Neither heat nor cold has proven to be more effective in the progression of aquatic exercise. Varying water temperatures during exercise is also an excellent way to work on temperature desensitization.