Hydrotherapy Benefits

Telephone: 01733 453583

Email:  stgeorges@vivacity.org

Hydrotherapy (aquatic physiotherapy) provides a warm, relaxed atmosphere for treating chronic and acute conditions. The water temperature of between 32°C and 36°C provides the optimum temperature for muscle relaxation. This helps to decrease pain, increase range of movement and increase muscle activity. The buoyancy of the water enables movement to be either assisted or resisted and allows for more fluid movements. The aim is to gain flexibility of joints, strengthen muscles and enhance core stability to restore or improve function.

It is not necessary to be able to swim or get your head wet in order to benefit from hydrotherapy.

Users can see a physiotherapist with specialist training, who can show them how to do a range of exercises that will help their condition. The focus of the exercises can be adjusted to help either range of movement or strength, depending on symptoms.

Hydrotherapy tends to be different to aqua aerobics, which can be quite strenuous, as it is generally more focused on slow, controlled movements and relaxation.

Hydrotherapy can help people with a wide range of problems. Some of the most common ones include, stroke, arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia,  Parkinson's disease and those recovering from orthopaedic surgery, such as a joint replacement. The pool also provides an excellent medium in which to increase confidence and motivation prior to embarking on land based exercise.

St George's hydrotherapy pool provides the ideal environment for rehabilitation and exercise. Users with a variety of conditions benefit. If you have a disability, a long-term condition, or are recovering from an injury or operation, hydrotherapy may be able to help you.