Hydrotherapy
Just add water! Hydrotherapy could help you with a range of pain, injuries and rehabilitation.
Hydrotherapy, or otherwise known as Aquatic Physiotherapy, is a form of physiotherapy treatment and exercise that is conducted in a warm pool of usually between 30-35 degrees.
It is beneficial for a variety of conditions such as:
- Spinal pain
- Musculoskeletal pain including sports injuries
- Osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis
- Neurological conditions
- Post-operative orthopaedic conditions such as following total hip and knee replacements or shoulder surgery.
How does hydrotherapy help physiotherapy?
Hydrotherapy can assist with exercises that can’t be done on the land. It can also be used as a tool to help a patient progress to achieving land based exercises. The buoyancy of the water assists in supporting the body weight and allows for greater comfort and range of motion to be achieved. The water provides a natural resistance level for gentle strengthening and this may be progressed with the use of specialty exercise equipment such as floats and dumbbells. Overall, hydrotherapy may help relieve pain, reduce swelling, improve range of motion, strengthen muscles, and improve balance and general cardiovascular fitness.
If you are new to water and your problem is limiting your exercise, it is beneficial to have a one-on-one initial assessment with a physiotherapist who will assess your problem and provide you with an individualised program. Once you are confident, you may continue your exercise program independently. It is not essential that you need to know how to swim, and will not be required to put your head under the water – all that is needed is for you to be comfortable letting go of the pool edge to walk and stand in the pool independently.
How can hydrotherapy help with pain?
Hydrotherapy is often an essential part of the physiotherapy treatments we provide here in Canberra. It can help with back pain and can be particularly helpful for sciatica pain. Here is a great article on some exercises for sciatica pain treatment using hydrotherapy. However please also consult a professional physiotherapist before attempting hydrotherapy.
Hydrotherapy
TM Physio conducts hydrotherapy sessions at Club Lime Hydrotherapy Pool, CISAC Belconnen and Calvary John James Hospital in Deakin. There is wheelchair and ramp access to the pool so it easy to get in and out of the water.
We’d love to help you meet your goals! Please call us at Kippax on 6254 9889 or Deakin on 6282 5898 to enquire about available classes. Or simply contact us online.