Hydrotherapy 

The hydrotherapy service runs Hydro-Active in London, specialist hydrotherapy sessions in a heated pool, to help a variety of health problems and conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is open to any adult (age 18 or above) who is interested in benefiting from hydrotherapy, with single sex (male-only and female-only) sessions available.

 

Clients can refer themselves, or can be referred through family, support workers, GPs and healthcare professionals. 

 

All clients are assessed and are then allocated to an appropriate session. A risk assessment and carer training (if required) will also be provided if required. An initial assessment will be completed during the first session.

 

Hydrotherapy provides a variety of opportunities for clients to experience, learn and enjoy new movement skills leading to maintained and increased functional skills, mobility and building self confidence.

 

Hydrotherapy is useful for treating a range of conditions, both acute and chronic including orthopaedic, neurological and rheumatologic helping to manage pain symptoms, arthritis and other joint problems.

 

Anyone who is overweight can benefit from hydrotherapy as the non-weight bearing, non-impact exercise in the pool is more gentle to joints and muscles than land based activity. The pool also provides a fun and safe environment in which to exercise and gain confidence.

 

In addition to the above, hydrotherapy can:

 

• reduce pain, swelling and muscle spasm

• improve and maintain joint range of movement

• strengthen weak muscle groups

• increase physical fitness and functional tolerances

• re-educate normal movement patterns

• improve balance

• improve co-ordination

• improve posture

• improve self confidence

• stimulate circulation 

 

Benefits of Hydrotherapy

 

Bouyancy - While submerged in water, buoyancy assists in supporting the weight of the patient, decreasing the amount of weight bearing which reduces the stress placed on the joints. This is especially useful for patients with arthritis, healing fractured bones, or who are overweight. By decreasing the amount of joint stress it is easier and less painful to perform exercises.

 

Viscosity - Provides resistance in the water that can be incorporated into a hydrotherapy exercise programme. Resistance allows for muscle strengthening without the need of weights. Resistance coupled with the water’s buoyancy allows strengthening of muscle groups with decreased joint stress.

 

Hydrostatic Pressure - Helps to decrease swelling and improve joint position awareness. This pressure provides joint positional awareness to the patient. The hydrostatic pressure also assists in decreasing joint and soft tissue swelling that results after injury or with arthritic disorders.

 

Warmth - The warmth of the water experienced assists in relaxing muscles and vasodilates vessels, increasing blood flow to injured areas. Patients with muscle spasms, back pain, and fibromyalgia find this aspect of Hydrotherapy especially therapeutic.

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​Our Hydrotherapy sessions are held in specialist pools across London, including Stratford, Mile End, Canary Wharf and Islington.

 

We have disability and wheelchair accessible Hydrotherapy Pools. Our Pools have changing rooms with changing beds, accessible showers and hoists. Pools can be accessed via stairs, ramps or hoisting.