Hydrotherapy
What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is the use of water in the treatment of different conditions, such as arthritis, rheumatic complaints and other ailments. Hydrotherapy differs from swimming because it involves special exercises that you do in a warm-water pool. The water temperature is usually 33–36ºC, which is warmer than a typical swimming pool.
Usually a physiotherapist with specialist training will show you how to do the exercises. The focus of the exercises can be adjusted to help your range of movement or strength, depending on your symptoms.
Hydrotherapy tends to be different to aquarobics, which can be quite strenuous, as it’s generally more focused on slow, controlled movements and relaxation.
Usually a physiotherapist with specialist training will show you how to do the exercises. The focus of the exercises can be adjusted to help your range of movement or strength, depending on your symptoms.
Hydrotherapy tends to be different to aquarobics, which can be quite strenuous, as it’s generally more focused on slow, controlled movements and relaxation.
How does hydrotherapy work?
Hydrotherapy relies on its mechanical and thermal effects, in order to induce healing. It takes advantage of the body’s reaction to cold or hot stimuli, the pressure exerted by water, the protracted application of heat as well as the sensation of the water. These sensations and effects are then carried deeper into the skin by nerves.
When this happens, these sensations stimulate the immune system, thus influencing the release of stress hormones, while improving digestion, circulation and blood flow, as well as reducing the body’s sensitivity to pain. In most circumstances, heat is used to soothe and quiet the body, while slowing down the activity of internal organs.
When this happens, these sensations stimulate the immune system, thus influencing the release of stress hormones, while improving digestion, circulation and blood flow, as well as reducing the body’s sensitivity to pain. In most circumstances, heat is used to soothe and quiet the body, while slowing down the activity of internal organs.
How does hydrotherapy help?
Hydrotherapy can help you in a number of different ways:
- The warmth of the water allows your muscles to relax and eases the pain in your joints, helping you to exercise.
- The water supports your weight, which helps to relieve pain and increase the range of movement of your joints.
- The water can be used to provide resistance to moving your joints. By pushing your arms and legs against the water, you can also improve your muscle strength.
Benefits of hydrotherapy
- It is a very effective method of treating long-lasting pain.
- It helps to loosen tense, tight muscles, while encouraging relaxation. It also increases the metabolic rate and the digestion activity. Hydrotherapy hydrates body cells while improving skin and muscle tone.
- Hydrotherapy boosts the immune system, thus enhancing its efficiency.
- It stimulates blood supply to various organs in the body.
Hydrotherapy has been used for many years to treat various health conditions. One of its main advantages is that it is natural and does not have any major negative side effects. Utilising hydrotherapy and other aquatic physical therapies means don’t have to swallow pills or go for expensive surgical procedures. However, if symptoms persist after treatment, it is advisable to seek professional medical care.
What if I can’t swim?
You don’t have to be able to swim to benefit from hydrotherapy. The pool is usually quite shallow (about chest height), so you can exercise well within your depth. There will always be a physiotherapist present who will be in the pool with you.
What to expect from your first hydrotherapy session
Before heading to the pool you will have an initial assessment with one of our physiotherapists. The aim of this assessment is to identify areas of restriction and/or weakness and prescribe an individualised exercise program. This program can be printed and laminated so that you can use it to perform the program independently if the physiotherapist feels this is appropriate.
Your physiotherapist will always meet you at the pool. Patients are responsible for paying their own pool entry unless they are covered by DVA, workcover or third party insurance. If you are not comfortable wearing bathers you may wear a shirt and shorts. The chlorine in the public pools is usually quite strong so ensure not to wear your best bathers or clothes.
Hydrotherapy sessions will vary in length from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on your tolerance to exercise. Your physiotherapist will always be in the water beside you. This is to ensure that you are fully supervised and feel safe during your session. Throughout the session you may perform a variety of exercises using the water to either reduce weight bearing on your joints or to add gentle resistance, you may use pool weights, and flotation devices such as kickboards, pool noodles and aqua belts. The physiotherapist will provide this equipment during your session. If you perform the program independently you may need to source your own equipment.
All pools that we use have facilities to have a shower on the competition of the session.
Your physiotherapist will always meet you at the pool. Patients are responsible for paying their own pool entry unless they are covered by DVA, workcover or third party insurance. If you are not comfortable wearing bathers you may wear a shirt and shorts. The chlorine in the public pools is usually quite strong so ensure not to wear your best bathers or clothes.
Hydrotherapy sessions will vary in length from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on your tolerance to exercise. Your physiotherapist will always be in the water beside you. This is to ensure that you are fully supervised and feel safe during your session. Throughout the session you may perform a variety of exercises using the water to either reduce weight bearing on your joints or to add gentle resistance, you may use pool weights, and flotation devices such as kickboards, pool noodles and aqua belts. The physiotherapist will provide this equipment during your session. If you perform the program independently you may need to source your own equipment.
All pools that we use have facilities to have a shower on the competition of the session.