Hydrotherapy
Kate Bretherick, lead aquatic-therapist at The Paddock Pool, a new Blackberry Clinic Online provider, introduces the medical treatment of hydrotherapy and explains its use and benefits.
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is an ancient form of treatment, which involves carrying out exercise and specific physiotherapy techniques in warm water to help relieve pain, relax and strengthen muscles, increase circulation and subsequently improve function. Hydrotherapy treatment uses the properties of water to help patients with limited mobility maximise their mobility within the water.
Hydrotherapy pools are kept at an average temperature of 34c, much warmer than a public swimming pool. This allows patients to exercise more freely in a controlled relaxed environment.
Because of is therapeutic effects, hydrotherapy can be beneficial for the following conditions:
- Muscular/ligament and tendon injury
- Joint and Arthritic pain
- Neurological conditions
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Rheumatological conditions
The Benefits of Hydrotherapy
The benefits of hydrotherapy have been supported by the National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society, the Royal Osteoporosis Society and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists for over 20 years.
Immersing yourself in warm water has many different beneficial effects on the body. Patients who are unable to mobilise on land will find they are able to mobilise freely in the water due to the effects of buoyancy. Buoyancy allows you to gain partial weight through your joints, thus facilitating reduced pressure and reduced pain. Depending on the depth of the water, different pressures on the joints can be achieved and controlled.
The heat of the water allows exercise to be completed in a relaxed environment. The more relaxed the body is, the less pain it experiences and the more the muscle tissues can stretch. In turn, the pressure on the joints is reduced allowing for freedom of movement within the water.
Immersion also increases hydrostatic pressure which assists in reducing swelling.
When immersed neck-deep in water, hydrostatic pressure pushes blood inwards (from the extremities) and upwards. This then increases cardiac output, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in one minute.
The properties of water can also be used to help strengthen your muscles. By pushing your arms and legs against the resistance of the water and using different floats, you can improve your muscle strength.
Hydrotherapy at The Paddock Pool
The Paddock Pool is a new pool facility which is able to incorporate physiotherapy musculoskeletal assessments and treatment as well as hydrotherapy. Treatment is designed by specialist trained physiotherapists who have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of aquatic rehabilitation. Exercises are tailored to the patients’ individual needs, so the patient can start to slowly and gradually build up strength and flexibility.
The hydrotherapy pool has been designed to include a number of underwater jets which facilitates resistance training and allows for different levels of rehabilitation. Different levels of depths are also included. It is ideal for patients who require treatment for long term joint conditions, post-operative rehabilitation or high-level sports conditioning.
Hydrotherapy treatment at The Paddock Pool is unique, combining professional excellence with patient care. Towels, robes, refreshments are all provided and one to one treatment packages are created, ensuring individuals get a bespoke rehabilitation plan. The atmosphere is both relaxing and safe.
References
NASS (2020), Cited on 23/08/2020 at 13.43: https://nass.co.uk/managing-my-as/exercise/hydrotherpy.
VersusArthritis (2020) Cited on 31/08/2020 at 09.42:https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/therapies/hydrotherapy/
To find out more visit Blackberry Clinic Online https://www.blackberrycliniconline.co.uk/ and find The Paddock Pool, along with other providers offering a variety of services and goods.
