What is Hydrotherapy?
The term “hydrotherapy” is an umbrella term encompassing aquatic(water)-based activities such as aquatic physiotherapy, water-based exercise, aqua-aerobics, water running and swimming for special populations, all of which are performed in an environment of warm water and has been documented to promote positive therapeutic effects. Hydrotherapy has been known for its therapeutic effects since the Greek and Roman Times.
What is Aquatic Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapists refer to what we do as Aquatic Physiotherapy to differentiate our profession from others working in the pool who may do so under the term hydrotherapy. Aquatic physiotherapy employs rehabilitation techniques and exercises in an environment of warm water (usually 30-34°C), using the unique properties and benefits of the water to assist with treatment.
How is Aquatic Physiotherapy Beneficial?
- Decreases muscle spasm and guarding
- Reduces pain
- Improves joint flexibility
- Allows variable levels of weight bearing
- Permits specific strength training
- Facilitates head correction and balance reactions without fear
- Reduces swelling
- Improves cardiovascular capacity and endurance for people of all ages
- Improves psychological wellbeing
- Increases metabolic activity
- Improves sleep patterns
Conditions that can benefit from Aquatic Physiotherapy (Hydrotherapy)
The therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy in association with a physiotherapist with the appropriate qualifications can employ techniques to treat a variety of people with conditions, including:
- Spinal problems
- Orthopaedic conditions
- Sports injuries
- Neurological conditions
- Obstetric conditions
- Cardiac conditions
- Lymphoedema and circulatory disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Balance disorders
- Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis
- Chronic disability
- Chronic fatigue
- Obesity
- Psychological disorders e.g. depression, anxiety
Interested in Hydrotherapy? Here are some general facts…
At BodyViva’s Hydrotherapy classes, knowing how to swim is not important. In fact, fitness is not even necessary. Hydrotherapy can be done in waist-deep water, holding a rail, or with floats. You don’t even need to be in swimwear, as many people just wear a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to the sessions. Our hydrotherapy pools are heated, and an enclosed aquatic centre means that the air is also warm when you get out.
Many people have done water exercise before and become sore from it, however this is not the case for aquatic physiotherapy. It is physiotherapy in the water NOT swimming or aqua aerobics, therefore it does not tire you or overexert you like water exercise might.
At BodyViva, our physiotherapists provide individualized programs appropriate for you – and managed by you!
If you’d like to try Hydrotherapy or Aquatic Physiotherapy as a treatment option, give us a call today.
