What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is a water based treatment using the benefits of
warm water and buoyancy to enable exercise to take place more
comfortably than on dry land. An understanding of the
clinical properties of water and physiological effects of immersion
on the body, together with physiotherapy skills to analyse
movement, has helped us to use hydrotherapy as a tool in
rehabilitation and restoration of movement and function.
What does this involve?
The heat and buoyancy of the water will enable you to move your
joints more easily and strengthen muscle groups that would be too
painful to complete on dry land. It is extremely beneficial
for maintaining joint movement.
Hydrotherapy sessions may include some equipment including
floats, bungee ropes for resistance training and cardiovascular
work, dumbbells and woogles according to your individual needs
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What are the benefits?
The benefits from hydrotherapy make it an ideal form of exercise
and rehabilitation for a many people including those with Rheumatic
conditions and Arthritic joint pain
Hydrotherapy can also help with:
- Back and nexk pain
- Multiple sclerosis
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Rehabilitation following surgery - this includes post joint
replacements, arthroscopies, ACL repair.
- Restricted weight bearing post surgery - the buoyancy of the
water allows you to walk in the pool even when weight bearing is
restricted enabling you to strengthen and develop a normal walking
pattern quicker.
- Sports injuries- a sports specific exercise programme will be
set up tailored towards your needs.
- Lower limb fractures
- Relaxation of tight muscles - the water temperature and
decreased weight bearing in the pool allow muscles to relax.
- Pain relief - Hydrotherapy has been proven to be a highly
effective form of therapy by stimulating endorphins which are
chemicals released by the body which reduce pain.
- Easing stiff joints and joint pain - due to the warmth of the
pool and the release of endorphins
- Improving joint mobility/flexibility and range of movement -
the warmth from the pool helps to reduce muscle tension aiding in
improved range and mobility.
- Strengthening of weak muscles - through supervised
strengthening program individually tailored to your needs, using
equipment as required.
- Increased fitness - cardiovascular fitness can be improved
within the pool with individually tailored exercises prescribed to
you by the physiotherapy team.
- Improving balance and core muscle groups - specific exercises
can be used within the pool to help develop improved balance and
core muscle strength.
- Decreasing swelling and improving circulation - good
circulation also brings good lymph drainage helping clear the body
of toxins.
- Improve self efficacy
- Improve function - function will improve as a combination of
all the above benefits of hydrotherapy.
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Circle care
Hydrotherapy is carried out in a purpose built pool where
initially you will be treated on a one to one basis by a
hydrotherapist who will tailor a programme to exactly meet your
needs. Following this you will have the opportunity to
continue your treatment individually or join a group if you so
wish. These options will be discussed with you by the
team.
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