Who Can Benefit from Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy uses warm water and gentle resistance to help you move with less pain and more confidence. It may be helpful if you’re living with a long‑term condition, recovering after surgery or injury, or feeling unsteady day to day.
We’ll always check your individual situation at assessment and, if needed, liaise with your doctor or therapist before you start.
Long‑term Conditions
Hydrotherapy can be especially helpful if you live with:
- Low back or thoracic pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Axial spondyloarthropathy (previously called ankylosing spondylitis)
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypermobility
The warmth and support of the water reduce the load on your joints, making it easier to move and exercise. People with long‑term conditions often notice a reduction in pain, increased strength and stamina, and more confidence in everyday movement.
If you’re not sure whether hydrotherapy is right for you, we’ll talk through your medical history in detail at your initial review and check it’s safe before you get in the pool.
After Surgery
We frequently see people after: Total knee replacements, Total hip replacements, Shoulder replacements, Spinal surgery, and Fracture fixation.
You can usually start hydrotherapy once your wound is fully healed and safe to submerge, and your doctor or surgical team are happy for you to start. In some cases, we can begin as soon as you are able to submerge the wound with clear approval from your doctor.
Common goals after surgery include:
- Gait re‑education – returning to a smoother, more natural walking pattern
- Increasing range of movement around the operated joint
- Restoring strength and function for everyday tasks such as stairs, getting in and out of chairs, or walking further
As long as there isn’t a specific post‑operative protocol that restricts hydrotherapy, we can usually work in the pool as part of your rehab plan.
After Injury
We see a real mix of people after injury, including active adults, older adults, and those returning to work or sport. Common problems we treat include: Meniscal injuries, Ankle sprains, Muscle strains, and Achilles rupture.
- Graded, appropriate exercises that match your stage of healing
- Balance exercises around the injured area
- Gradually returning load to the tissues around the joint so you can get back to the activities that matter to you
Balance Issues & General Weakness
Hydrotherapy can also help if you have had a fall and lost confidence in your balance, live with a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, or feel generally weak or deconditioned after illness, surgery, or a long hospital stay.
- Floats and noodles
- Steps and rails
- Medicine balls and resistance bands
- The water current to gently increase resistance
Goals, Guidance and What to Expect
Every person we see has different needs, so your goals will be set to fit you. Sessions are 30 minutes long, run with no more than 2 patients in the pool at a time, and supported by 2 staff members – an experienced senior physiotherapist and an experienced hydrotherapist.
I’m a calm, knowledgeable and enthusiastic physiotherapist who loves working with people in the hydrotherapy pool. I’ve worked with people from many different backgrounds, including those who feel anxious around water or who are not confident swimmers. You do not need to be able to swim to benefit from hydrotherapy.