FitnessVenues.com
 

What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic whole-body treatment that involves moving and exercising in water - physiotherapy in a pool. Hydrotherapy pools are usually different from ordinary pools - the temperature, pressure and movement of water is controlled and changed according to who's using the pool, and why. However you could have hydrotherapy in any water or pool as it is a lot to do with movement.

Doctors often prescribe a course of hydrotherapy as part of a treatment programme. It is also used by athletes to improve and maintain their general health and fitness, and by others as part of a healthy whole-body routine.

What is hydrotherapy good for?

Being immersed, buoyant or massaged in water can relieve our bodies in a variety of different ways, and hydrotherapy can help with many physical and emotional complaints, including:

  • back pain
  • rheumatic pain and arthritis
  • anxiety and stress
  • poor muscle and skin tone
  • poor circulation
  • muscle pain and inflammation
  • headaches
  • hip or other joint replacements (before and after the operations)
  • muscle or ligament injuries; broken limbs
  • neurological conditions such as strokes or brain injuries

Before you go

  • If you're having hydrotherapy at a spa, you might want to call beforehand to see what's actually included. It may only be access to their pools
  • Hydrotherapy is often prescribed by a GP or therapist as part of a course of treatment: a programme of movements and exercises is tailored to your needs. If you're having hydrotherapy at a spa, you may well be having a more general treatment in which case just be aware of the power of the water
  • You should also tell them if you are, or think you might be, pregnant, as some forms of hydrotherapy may not be suitable for you
  • A big meal or alcohol is not a good idea before you go into any pool. Eat afterwards.

What to expect from hydrotherapy

If you are having structured hydrotherapy treatment, your GP or physiotherapist will probably give you an idea of what you'll be doing, and this will depend on what injury or condition you have. On the NHS, hydrotherapy is a supervised exercise session in a pool or series of pools. If you have a long-term, or severe problem - spinal injuries, for example, or stroke - you will probably have one-on-one supervision and assistance from a physiotherapist; otherwise, you will have floating support (literally!) from a professional who will guide you and others through given exercises. You'll be expected to wear a swimming costume.

At spas, you may find that "hydrotherapy" means access to their facilities rather than a treatment in itself; this is a spa in a Roman sense: baths and pools and showers and whirlpools, in which to spend unsupervised time.

Hot tip!

Check to see whether or not you're expected to wear a swimming costume or not; this is potential embarrassment easily avoided!

Afterwards

You may well feel tired out afterwards. You might also feel invigorated. Leave yourself a bit of leeway so that you can see whether you feel up to a 10-mile run or a bit of a snooze afterwards.

If you're staying at a spa, you may want to follow your hydrotherapy with a Jacuzzi, sauna or hot shower; you could follow it with a massage or beauty treatment.

Hydrotherapy - like swimming - can leave you feeling pretty hungry.

Different types of hydrotherapy

Various techniques and facilities come under the heading "hydrotherapy". These include:

Hydro-massage

Gentle and more powerful jets of water massage you whilst you are in the pool. The jets of water are usually placed at different heights and areas of the pool so that you can use them on specific parts of your body.

Colon hydrotherapy

Your basic enema, colon hydrotherapy is carried out with water to really sluice you out and rid you of your toxins.

Kneipp system

Named after Father Sebastian Kneipp who devised them, these are herbal and mineral baths of different temperatures, from which you derive various health benefits; the Kneipp system of hydrotherapy is combined with purifying diet, exercise and spiritual practices.

Courtesy of the Good Spa Guide

Bookmark and Share

Latest health and fitness news

All news stories

Latest quizzes and tests

All quizzes & tests





Diet & Weight Loss Fitness & Exercise Healthy Living Leisure Jobs UK Reviews Useful Tools

Diets A - Z
Diet planners
Exercise nutrition
Healthy eating
Recipes
Weight management

Celebrity workouts
Exercise library
Exercising
Fitness testing
Kids fitness
Health clubs
Personal training
Sports injury


General health
Health spas
Men's health
Women's health


Choosing a job
Franchising
Job resources
Job search
Training courses

Elite health clubs
Ladies only gyms
Leisure centres
Health clubs
Hotel health clubs
Independent health clubs
Spa breaks

Calculators
Diet planners
Exercise videos
Online personal training
Web chats TV
Keep in touch with Fitness Venues at
Facebook
& Twitter

Home | Advertise | Search by business | Search by county | Local Search | Contact us | What's new? | Site map

About us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Our partners

 

Copyright 2006 - 2014 FitnessVenues.com
FitnessVenues.com is the UK's leading health, fitness and exercise guide, allowing you to find health clubs, gyms, personal trainers and more.

Find your local ... Exercise classes | Gyms | Health clubs | Health spas | Personal Trainers | Fitness Trainers | Health clubs by town