By Seb Walsh.
This month’s focus is to alleviate some of the common myths and misconceptions surrounding hydrotherapy and the effects it can have on our fitness and rehabilitation, as well as delving into some of the benefits of exercising in the water.
Three Common Hydrotherapy Misconceptions include:
1. It is only for the elderly population.
A common belief is that hydrotherapy is purely for the elderly, where the duration of a class is spent listening to an instructor singing and dancing whilst kicking their arms and legs on the side of the pool. Hydrotherapy is much more than this, in fact, it is quite a common exercise modality for those:
Recovering from surgery (cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, etc.) including after ACL surgery for athletes
Athletes with sporting injuries (Eg. Sprained ankle, muscle strains, upper limb injuries etc.)
Inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis and bursitis
Having undergone Joint replacement surgery
Aiming to improve fitness and/ or strength in an alternative and supportive environment
2. Exercise in the water won’t result in any strength benefits.
Hydrotherapy Exercise Rehab allows you to have:
-Longer sessions with less soreness,
-An increase in intensity/ difficulty with less joint compression,
-Achieve muscular strength changes without placing excessive stress on joints.
*In Summary; hydrotherapy allows you to gain similar muscular benefits to land-based exercise without the aches and pains both during and after sessions – a Win-win!
3. I can’t swim, so how will I be able to exercise in the pool?
Our hydrotherapy is conducted in water between 1-1.5m depths in a warm water pool >34 deg celsius in a puporse built pool with ramp access.
Hydrotherapy is often a combination of cardiovascular water fitness exercises (such as walking, pool cycling, boxing, etc.) as well as strength and conditioning, balance, proprioception and range of motion/ stretching exercises based on the individual client’s needs (established during assessment along with client/ therapist goals, likes/dislikes, safety for pool exercise and more).
The aim is to build confidence and autonomy so that, if the client and therapist are both happy, an individualized home program can be established to be performed outside of class times.
If you are unsure whether Hydrotherapy may be suitable for you, feel free to ask one of our Physiotherapists and book in for a FREE Hydro Assessment.