Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy involves performing rehabilitation exercises in a warm water pool environment. The properties of exercising in warm water environment such as hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy of water, facilitate the recovery for many conditions and injuries.
How does Hydrotherapy benefit rehabilitation?
Hydrotherapy uses the principles of water to allow exercise and to alter exercise intensity. Increased buoyancy (opposite to gravity) allows for more exercise than is permitted on land. Increased temperature and hydrostatic pressure promote increases in circulation and flexibility and decreases in swelling. Increasing speed, turbulence and surface area can all be used to increase exercise difficulty.
The unique benefits that derive from performing rehabilitation exercises in a pool environment suit many conditions and injuries. The buoyancy and resistance characteristics that moving in water provides are extremely therapeutic. The hydrostatic qualities of water serve as a compression bandage which further adds to the benefits associated with this environment. In some conditions that are sensitive to land based and/or weight-bearing exercise programs, hydrotherapy is the venue of choice for exercise-based rehabilitation. Hydrotherapy is particularly beneficial for early stage rehabilitation, long term chronic pain or patients who are very de-conditioned.
Every patient we see is individually assessed, and performs exercises prescribed specifically for their needs. We maintain contact with your doctors or other therapists, and are continually updating and progressing your program. Our Exercise Physiologist is in the pool with you, providing close supervision and hands-on techniques and assistance as necessary.
Rebuilding Movements offers private Hydrotherapy sessions with a qualified Aquatic Exercise Physiologist. Our Exercise Physiologists have a multitude of experience with many varying injuries & conditions. Access is provided via wide shallow steps or a hoist for those unable to walk. Patients do not necessarily need to be able to swim to be able to benefit from hydrotherapy.
Benefits of a Hydrotherapy program are:
- exercising in a weight assisted environment
- buoyancy assists with strengthening, coordination and balance problems
- improves movement control
- warmth of the water promotes muscle relaxation, increasing joint range and mobility
- increasing cardiovascular fitness
- increased muscular strength and flexibility
Precautions/Contraindications in Hydrotherapy
- Cardiac patients, especially left heart failure
- Increased difficulty of breathing
- Respiratory muscle weakness
- Airways resistance problems
- Renal (kidney) failure
- Severe postural hypotension (decreased BP with position change)
- Controlled hypertension (high BP)
Please speak to your Exercise Physiologist or GP if these apply to you.