BENEFITS
Benefits of Hydrotherapy
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How Does It Work (the science bit…)
Relief from pain – the water used during hydrotherapy treatment should be between 28 and 32 degrees in order to be therapeutic. The warmth of the water enhances the circulation of the blood to the muscles. The effect of the warm water and the enhanced circulation relaxes the muscles and therefore helps to reduce pain. Water temperature is essential for opening blood vessels and therefore promoting muscle movement. Buoyancy also helps to give relief from pain as the patient is not load bearing on any limbs whilst in the water. This helps to enable movement as the patient is not dealing with the usual pain it would experience from movement i.e. walking on the ground in the usual way, and therefore the patient may find it easier to extend and flex limbs without experiencing the impact.
Reduction from swelling and stiffness – hydrostatic pressure applied by the water can help to reduce swelling, and therefore stiffness, by causing a movement of bodily fluid away from the affected area instead of into it. As the relief from pain helps to increase the ability to exercise the limb, this further enhances circulation.
Improved cardiovascular fitness – general fitness will always improve with exercise, but this can be difficult for a patient experiencing pain with movement. By enabling a patient to do controlled exercise in a hydrotherapy treadmill, with the relief from pain already described this will increase the patients heart rate at a steady rate, which if done regularly will improve cardio vascular fitness.
Muscle strength – Hydrotherapists work with muscles not skeletons. The controlled, steady and repetitive movement performed during regular hydrotherapy sessions will gradually start to restore, strengthen and maintain muscle. The key word here is regular. One session will not have much impact on muscle strength, it is very important to maintain sessions, if possible numerous times per week, every week to allow steady improvement – particularly during the rehabilitation stage of treatment. Improvement is monitored by measuring muscle mass, observing gait pattern and noting changes to stamina levels.
Joint mobilisation – as muscle strength improves, range of motion will also improve and this is always the main aim of hydrotherapy treatment. Hydrotherapy is about treating the muscles so that they can in turn provide good support for damage to joints, whether that be through injury, subsequent surgical procedures or degenerative joint conditions.
Increased mental stimulation – an unwell patient who is experiencing pain when moving will be less inclined to try and stay mobile. This can often mean no longer be able to go for a walk or participate in the multitude of activities that stimulates them, whether it’s playing with a toy, running around the garden or simply sitting and looking out of the window. This can lead to lethargy and even depression. The stress factors of pain also have an impact on mental health as pain experienced over a long period of time can release stress related hormones which can affect metabolism, neurological responses and the immune system. Pain can also affect appetite, cause muscle fatigue and slow down the healing process. Hydrotherapy therefore not only helps to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness, but it also gives the patient an activity to concentrate on, and the interaction with the centre and staff can have a positive benefit on the patients state of mind. And the owners too!
Hilary with Pablo & Parry 
Amanda & Sandro with Spangle 
Mark & Janet with Ruby 
Paula & Craig with Blu 