Hydrotherapy Benefit Working Conditions Safety Tips

1. HYDROTHERAPY
Physiotherapists can help people maintain movement and function of
joints and muscles with exercises, hydrotherapy (exercise in warm
water), relaxation techniques, acupuncture) and various other
treatments.
WHAT IS HYDROTHERAPY?
Hydrotherapy, otherwise known as Aquatic Physiotherapy, is a specific
form of physiotherapy treatment conducted in a heated pool. Aquatic
Physiotherapy treatment (individually or in groups) incorporates
individual assessment, diagnosis and the use of clinical reasoning skills
to formulate a treatment program appropriate to each patient’s needs.
A series of gentle therapeutic exercises (distinct from swimming or
aqua-aerobics) carried out in a heated pool allow greater comfort and
range of movement as the water supports body weight. Therapeutic
exercises can be progressed safely using the resistance of the water
to strengthen the muscles and improve stability.
BENEFITS OF HYDROTHERAPY:
Aquatic Physiotherapy can help relieve pain, promote relaxation,
mobilize joints, strengthen muscles, develop balance and coordination,
and improve general fitness.
What are the therapeutic benefits of Hydrotherapy & exercise in
warm water?
o Muscular relaxation and decreased muscle spasm.
o Decreased pain due to warmth and support.
o Gravity is countered by buoyancy.

2. o Increased muscle strength and endurance due to the greater
resistance in water.
o Improvement in swelling, due to hydrostatic pressure.
o Enhanced balance and stabilization.
o Improved enjoyment and confidence to move better.
o The warmth and the buoyancy make stretches more effective
o It's easier to stay upright because the effect of gravity is less
o Exercising in water requires less effort
o Afterwards you usually have a really good night's sleep!
o Most importantly, water gives you freedom of movement.
HOW DOES HYDROTHERAPY WORK?
The warmth increases circulation, reduces muscle spasm, and helps to
relieve pain. Patients do not need to be able to swim in order to benefit
from Aquatic Physiotherapy. An aquatic program is often a stepping
stone for patients to progress onto gym or land based exercise
programs. The rehabilitation program can also include appropriate
exercises to maintain fitness, while recovering from sports injuries or
orthopaedic surgery.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN HYDROTHERAPY
BENEFIT?
Some of the many conditions that can benefit from an individualised
Aquatic Physiotherapy program include:
o Back pain/sciatica/ lumbar instability
o Whiplash & other neck pain
o Sports injuries

3. o Tendinopathy
o Balance/coordination problems
o Shoulder and arm pain
o Osteoarthritis
o Rheumatoid Arthritis & Fibromyalgia
o Ankylosing Spondylitis
o Parkinson’s Disease
o Stroke
o Cerebral Palsy
o Back and pelvic pain during pregnancy
o Work and accident related injuries
o Rehabilitation after bone fractures, joint replacement or tendon
repair
Aquatic Physiotherapy has been shown to bring pain relief, combined
with long lasting improvements in joint mobility and muscle strength.
SAFETY TIPS:
1. Consult your doctor or physiotherapist before you try exercising
in water.
2. The area around the pool is likely to be wet
and slippery. Take care when walking on a wet floor, don't run or
rush. You can wear flip flops or beach shoes and if you normally
use a stick or crutch, it's much safer to use a walking frame
instead, as a stick can very easily slip when wet.
3. It is possible to overdo things in the water, especially when you
first start, because it feels so much easier. Begin gently and
gradually build up the length of time you spend in the pool.

4. 4. Only do the exercises shown by your physiotherapist. Do not
perform your dry land exercise programme in water: not only is it
not effective, but it could even do more harm than good.
5. Do not use hydrotherapy if you have: unstable blood pressure,
uncontrolled diabetes, angina at rest or shortness of breath at
rest.
6. If you have compromised lung function you may find the pressure
of the water on the chest and ribcage too much when in the deep
end.
7. If you suffer with asthma or angina, always take your inhalers
and sprays with you and leave them on the pool side, so they are
there should you need them.
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