What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a form of physical therapy treatment that uses water as the treatment medium. It relies on the properties of water to support every part of the body. The physical therapist designs a treatment programme specific to each type of patient's problem and provides close supervision while the patient exercises in the water.

Benefits of hydrotherapy

- Reduces impact on the joints thanks to the buoyancy of water

- Improves balance and coordinated body movement in the water

- Increases muscle and joint flexibility

- Reduces pain and joint stiffness, and helps you feel more relaxed

- Builds muscle strength through the resistance of the water and the equipment used

Who is hydrotherapy suitable for?

- People with knee pain, back pain or shoulder pain

- People with knee osteoarthritis

- People with balance and movement problems

- Pregnant women

- People recovering from surgery 

- People with sports injuries

How does hydrotherapy differ from exercising on land?

- Exercising on land places more impact on the joints.

- You tire more slowly with hydrotherapy than with exercise on land.

- People who have recently had surgery cannot bear weight on a fractured arm or leg, so they cannot exercise normally on land and have a very high risk of injury.

- For people with balance problems or a history of falls, it is many times safer than exercising on land.

- Hydrotherapy improves the function of the cardiovascular system.

- For pregnant women, hydrotherapy helps strengthen the muscles, prevents back and knee pain, and makes childbirth easier.

- Hydrotherapy is suitable for people who are overweight, as it greatly reduces the risk of joint injury.