Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy (Aqua therapy) is any activity performed in water to assist in rehabilitation and recovery from serious injury or finding ways to manage a long-term condition. This therapy has been used for thousands of years.  It is a form of exercise in warm water and is treatment for patients with neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions. Hydrotherapy enables an individual to practise performing movements securely, at low risk, aided by buoyancy to help with their rehabilitation.

The goals of this therapy are muscle relaxation, strengthening, improving joint motion and reducing pain. In specific populations it helps improve muscle coordination and progression to land based exercise.

Benefits of hydrotherapy

• The warm water helps the muscles to relax which can ease pain and make exercise easier. 

• Buoyancy of the water helps to support body weight, which can relieve pressure on joints, reduce pain and increase your movement

• Exercise against the resistance of the water can improve muscle strength, co-ordination, endurance and balance. 

• Hydrotherapy can help improve circulation and reduce swelling after injury or surgery.

Many patients with the following issues can benefit from hydrotherapy:

• Acute muscle and soft tissue injuries

• Fractured bones and injuries.

• Recovery from surgical operations to bones or joint replacements

• Hypermobility Syndrome

• Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis 

• Fibromyalgia Syndrome

• Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Stroke or Head injuries

• Management of muscle tone

Who is not suitable for hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is active rehabilitation and requires patients to be fit and well to participate in therapy. As a result, Hydrotherapy is not appropriate if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Feeling generally unwell

• Recent surgery

• Open wounds or skin infections

• Cold, virus, raised temperature

• Urinary track infection

• Diarrhoea +/- vomiting - must be at least 2 weeks clear of symptoms

• Inability to stand unaided

• Incontinence

• Angina, cardiac and respiratory conditions

• Poor kidney function

• Shortness of breath on lying flat

• Weight over 25 stone or 150 kgs

Side effects

The warmth of the water and exercise may make you feel tired or fatigued. These symptoms are perfectly normal and should improve after a few sessions.

Hydrotherapy is focused on exercise which can aggravate your symptoms including worsening your pain at times. This will normally improve after a few weeks and will not cause harm to your body.

We have a water dispenser located by the pool and we encourage you to have a drink before and after each session.

If at any stage you feel faint, dizzy, and generally unwell or experience chest pain you must tell your Physiotherapist.

Swimming ability

You do not need to be able to swim to use our hydrotherapy pool. The pool is 1 metre deep as you enter and 1.3 m at its deepest so you will never be out of your depth.

Please let the Physiotherapist know if you are feeling nervous or anxious about your treatment. You will be supervised and assisted throughout your hydrotherapy session. 

How to get a hydrotherapy referral

All patients will require an assessment by a physiotherapist prior to starting hydrotherapy. This is to ensure you are physically fit enough to start treatment and to set goals prior to starting. Ask your local physiotherapist about a referral to our service to see if you would benefit from treatment.

Your appointment will be arranged by our hydrotherapy team with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes. It is a group setting and your exercise programme will be individually tailored towards your condition. The sessions are run with both you and the therapist in the pool, where you will complete a variety of exercises appropriate to your condition.

If you are a referring physiotherapist, please email your referral to: plh-tr.physioOPReferrals@nhs.net 

Derriford Hospital Hydrotherapy facilities

• Water based exercise class up to 8 patients per session

• Easy access pool with shallow steps into the water

• Temperature maintained between 35.5 to 37 °C 

• Shallow water at 1 metre at shallow end and 1.3 metres at deep end

• Handrails throughout the perimeter of the pool 

• Hoist available for pool entry 

• Showers poolside and lockers available for valuables

Accessing the pool

The hydrotherapy pool is located on level 3 of the hospital. The entrance to the room is level for all abilities including wheelchair use. The pool has shallow steps to access the water with rails on the stairs and around the outside of the pool. We also have use of a hoist for patient’s who feel they may require additional support entering the water to start their rehabilitation.