Hydrotherapy, aquatic therapy, aquatic physiotherapy - what's so special about it?
Why or who would we recommend it to?
What is it? Performing specific exercises immersed in water. All you need is a set of swimmers and a towel to dry off at the end of your session.
Don’t worry about trying to brave the cold; Hydrotherapy is traditionally performed in a heated/warm water pool. This will help relax your muscles to exercise.
Exercising in water supports your weight, thus making it easier to perform certain movements you may struggle with out of the water. Water also provides a resistance to your movements therefore you can build your strength to rehabilitate acute or chronic injuries in a safe controlled environment with decreased weight bearing.
Hydrotherapy offers benefit toward improving pain, strength, flexibility, function, self-efficacy, balance and fitness, in patients with generally chronic conditions such as rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, and among elderly people [1,2,3]. Hydrotherapy is suitable and great for kick starting your rehabilitation for any acute injuries where you're struggling to move or weight bear. Post-operative patients are also encouraged to participate in hydrotherapy once wounds have healed.
If you are wishing to participate in hydrotherapy sessions as part of your rehabilitation, please consult with your physiotherapist and ensure they are aware of any other medical conditions that may effect your ability to participate. Hydrotherapy should be prescribed and progressed according to an individuals condition and needs. If you have any further questions whether hydrotherapy is a treatment suitable for you or would like to receive some more information about our hydro classes please call Our Physio Central Coast to chat with the team.
References
[1]Turner, A. J., Chander, H., & Knight, A. C. (2018). Falls in geriatric populations and hydrotherapy as an intervention: a brief review. Geriatrics, 3(4), 71.
[2]Geytenbeek, J. (2002). Evidence for effective hydrotherapy. Physiotherapy, 88(9), 514-529.
[3] Bartels EM, Juhl CB, Christensen R, Hagen KB, Danneskiold‐Samsøe B, Dagfinrud H, Lund H. Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005523. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005523.pub3. Accessed 04 August
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