hydrotherapy
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is a type of exercise that is performed in the water. A hydrotherapy pool is warmer than a normal pool (the temperature is 33-37°C), which allows you to move comfortably and makes exercise easy and enjoyable. Hydrotherapy can be used to build up strength, ease stiff joints and relax sore muscles. Water’s buoyancy greatly reduces the pressure on your joints, making it easier to perform exercises through a large range of motion.
How does it work?
The healing properties of hydrotherapy are based on mechanical and heating effects. The heat quiets and soothes the body, slowing down the internal organs by offering a massage-like feeling as the water gently kneads your body. Being in the pool also allows you to experience a feeling of weightlessness as your body is relieved from the contrast pull of gravity. Water stimulates touch receptors on the skin, which boosts blood circulation and releases tight muscles.
What are the benefits of hydrotherapy?
- Enables you to exercise without jarring your joints
- Assists anti-gravity movements such as lifting or jumping
- Allows a full range of movements of the joints without strain
- Water properties mean that exercise can be easily adjusted to be more or less difficult
- Swimming is a non-stressful aerobic exercise
- Being in the water provides relaxation
- Warm water warms your muscles and joints so they are more flexible and able to move easily
