What is hydrotherapy or aquatic physiotherapy?
Hydrotherapy and aquatic physiotherapy involve the use of water in therapy, rehabilitation, exercise, relaxation and more. It utilises the unique properties of water including the decreased effects of gravity, as well as the effects of buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure. Physiotherapists utilise hydrotherapy in conjunction with their knowledge of body movement, exercises, and rehabilitation for a wide range of conditions to help patients further improve their symptoms and pain.
What are the benefits of hydrotherapy or aquatic physiotherapy?
Hydrotherapy and aquatic physiotherapy can help you in several different ways. For example, the warmth of the water causes your muscles to relax and eases your pain while performing your exercises. Moreover, the effects of buoyancy in the water will also support your weight and allow you to perform exercises in the water, that you otherwise may not be able to do on land.
High quality research has demonstrated that hydrotherapy can help reduce pain, and improve strength, flexibility, balance, and function. It has proven to help improve a variety of conditions including rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, lower back pain as well as other chronic conditions.
How do I know if hydrotherapy or aquatic physiotherapy will benefit me?
You and your physiotherapist will decide whether hydrotherapy is suitable for you. The decision will be based on your condition and symptoms you present with. Hydrotherapy is not advised for certain conditions, so it is important that you inform our physiotherapists and undergo an initial assessment to see if hydrotherapy will benefit you.
Summary
In summary, hydrotherapy and aquatic physiotherapy involve the use of water in therapy which can result in an improvement in pain, strength, flexibility, and function. Hydrotherapy has proven to help improve symptoms for a huge range of chronic conditions including osteoarthritis and lower back pain. If you would like to know if hydrotherapy will be beneficial for you or would like to attend our hydrotherapy sessions, please do not hesitate to call our clinic at (02) 9681 3467.
