Surfing as Therapy

25 July, 2016 · 0 comments

Surfing has become an alternative to alleviate several afflictions and ailments.

Surfing is a “treatment” that is increasingly being used by experts all over the world, who see it as a great alternative to other types of therapies for people with different types of disorders.

Today, great results have been obtained from this way of treating certain pathologies. Surfing promotes coordination, concentration and social, physical and mental development.

What types of disorders can surfing improve?

Autism spectrum disorders, as well as some syndromes like Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, are disorders that are characterized by altered neurological development. This means that these people will have difficulties on a psychological level as well as physical.

One example that stands out is autism. This disorder is characterized by difficulties with social relationships, very routine and repetitive behavior, and in many cases difficulties living a normal life because of fear in the face of new or unfamiliar situations.

Many treatments have been tested to improve their quality of life but, in many cases, prescription medications have not produced results. We still don’t understand the mechanisms that produce these types of disorders and as a result there are very few medications to treat them specifically.

Nevertheless, more and more psychosocial, cognitive and rehabilitative therapies are being introduced and producing very good results, as is the case with surfing.

How can surfing improve these types of disorders?

The power of surfing can be the perfect channel to create a space for greater communication between parents and children with autism, and encourage their cognitive development. One of the main reasons why this happens is because of the contact with nature that surfing provides. This sport offers many different stimuli, audio, visual and tactile (sun, water, wind, etc.). Using the surfboard as a tool, they are able to connect with the forces of nature and, in this way, awaken their emotions.

In addition, the water is the perfect medium to develop these patients’ physical abilities, since it facilitates the mobility of stiff muscles, such as in the case of people with cerebral palsy.

https://youtu.be/0aqaLEY_lbc

Without a doubt, surfing is a therapy that helps in many ways, since it not only exercises a patient’s physical and mental abilities but also has been shown to be a fun pastime for everyone, including for these patients. Surfing releases serotonin and endorphins, substances which are produced by the body and which promote positive feelings. Their basic function is to reward us with feelings of pleasure when we do something good for our body.

For this reason, surfing isn’t just beneficial for neurological disorders, but can also be the perfect weapon for fighting depression or even other pathologies which cause pain or anxiety.

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