Do you want a way to exercise while taking specific care of your body, which may have some aches and pains, weaknesses, or limitations?
Hydrotherapy is a form of exercise that may tick the box for many people who have a range of issues to consider when being active, such as injuries and health conditions. It is performed in a special pool with trained professionals who guide you to improve your quality of life and overall well-being.
Many people find hydrotherapy an enjoyable and beneficial way to move their bodies and work towards health and fitness goals while maintaining their safety. Learn more about hydrotherapy at Active Recovery and how our Canberra hydrotherapy pool may provide you with positive outcomes.
What Makes a Pool a Hydrotherapy Pool?
A key feature of hydrotherapy pools is their warmth. These pools have a temperature generally ranging between 33 and 36 degrees Celsius. The goal of such a toasty temperature is to provide a soothing and relaxing environment for your body to encourage healing and relief.
Hydrotherapy pools may also include safety equipment, such as ramps for entry and rails to promote safety for people with concerns like reduced mobility, frailty, and fatigue.
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is delivered by a qualified physiotherapist or exercise physiologist with experience in supporting people with specific needs in the pool. A tailored program is developed to target each person’s goals and requirements and is undertaken with the supervision and guidance of an experienced healthcare professional.
Hydrotherapy capitalises on the water’s resistance and buoyancy to provide a way of moving your body in a less demanding way than non-pool-based activities may involve. Undertaking physical therapy in warm water aims to reduce body tension and promote a positive impact on muscles, joints, circulation, the lymphatic system, and mental wellbeing.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Undertaking hydrotherapy in a specifically designed pool has the potential to deliver many benefits. These are typically related to goals around rehabilitation, restoration of strength and mobility, pain reduction, and increased fitness.
Examples of hydrotherapy’s potential benefits include:
1. Improved Comfort
Due to the warmth and buoyancy of the water, pain caused by issues like tight or damaged muscles and inflamed or stiff joints may be reduced. Personalised exercises and stretches may help the healing and recovery process, also aiming to contribute to pain reduction.
2. Improved Range of Motion and Mobility
Hydrotherapy involves gentle, structured exercises and stretches that, along with the soothing warm water, work towards reducing stiffness and inflammation, increasing flexibility, and optimising functionality.
By taking the weight off your joints, the water may allow you to undertake exercises that may otherwise be difficult or painful, allowing you to maintain movement that may be pivotal to overall health and wellness.
3. Injury and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Tailored movement in water may promote gentle recovery after certain injuries and surgeries. With the reduced impact on the body, hydrotherapy may support improved stability, strength, movement, and coordination.
4. Stress Relief
Water has long been credited with having a relaxing power over us, decreasing mental and physical tension and anxiety. With gentle movement and friendly, supportive people around you, hydrotherapy may positively aid in your mental health.
5. Circulation
As warmer temperatures dilate blood vessels and encourage blood flow, exercising in a hydrotherapy pool may improve circulation. This has the potential to help with issues such as swelling and some chronic health conditions.
Certain medical conditions, such as orthostatic intolerance and low blood pressure, may also be supported by the water’s resistance. Due to the gentle pressure against the body and increased blood flow, people with these types of conditions may find they can tolerate exercise better than they can on land.
Who Can Use a Hydrotherapy Pool?
Hydrotherapy may be a useful form of exercise for many people. In particular, it opens doors to movement for those who have difficulty with high-impact, land-based activities or who require gentler, supported options.
Examples of people who may find hydrotherapy advantageous include those with:
- Joint conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and/or inflammation, such as arthritis and sporting injuries
- Neurological health conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
- Neck and back pain
- Muscle tears
- Spinal injuries
- Balance issues
- Chronic fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Low blood pressure
- Obesity
For some people, it’s recommended that they avoid hydrotherapy pools. We suggest seeking guidance from your doctor before attending to avoid the risk of issues.
Those who are typically not recommended to undertake hydrotherapy include:
- People with respiratory infections, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease
- Pregnant women
Undertake an Active Recovery with Hydrotherapy
If you are looking for a form of exercise that encourages fitness, healing, and recovery in a gentle, supported manner, hydrotherapy may be for you. With the guidance of one of our experienced and qualified physiotherapists, you can undertake a personalised program in a safe and enjoyable environment.
Please contact us with any queries you may have and to organise your initial consultation. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you in the pool!
