In Hydrotherapy, exercises are done under water in a tub or canal.

The movement can be

performed more easily under water than air because the buoyancy in water eliminates
gravity.

Where useful?

1. Polio
2. Stroke
3. Cerebral palsy( Brain disorder affecting movement and balance)

Hydrotherapy Physiotherapy
What is Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a water based treatment provided by the physiotherapists at
Manchester Neuro Physio. You do not need to be able to swim have hydrotherapy
treatment. The pool has shallow areas, allowing you to exercise well within your depth.
Buoyancy aids and floatation devices are regularly used, and there is always at least one
physiotherapist in the pool and one on the side of the pool.

Hydrotherapy is a very pleasant treatment as the warm water relaxes tight muscle groups
and eases stiff joints. Treatment programmes vary dependent on your condition but
generally utilise the properties of water such as increased buoyancy, resistance and
turbulence to help you achieve your goals.

Hydrotherapy treatment usually consists of gentle stretching, floatation and relaxation

exercises, strengthening exercises against the resistance of the water and movement
exercises within the water.

Conditions Treated
Hydrotherapy is a very versatile treatment that is used to treat a huge variety of patients
with a range of abilities and rehabilitation goals. Common conditions treated include:

Neurological conditions

• stroke
• head injury
• spinal injury
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Cerebral Palsy (CP)
 • Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
• Fibromyalgia
• Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME)
• Motor Neurone disease (MND)
• Chronic Fatigue syndrome

Arthritis

• osteoarthritis (OA)
• rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• juvenile arthritis
• ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

Low back, thoracic or neck pain

• chronic low back / neck pain

• sciatica
• whiplash

Musculoskeletal injury

• sports injury
• muscular / joint injury or fracture

Learning difficulties

• development delay
• dyspraxia

Post surgery

• hip / knee replacement

• ACL reconstruction
• surgically managed fracture

Cardiac Rehabilitation

• post MI (heart attack)

• post heart surgery

The Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Mobility can be improved with hydrotherapy because people are able to perform
activities in the pool that they are unable to perform on dry land. With the appropriate
progression of exercises these activities, such as walking or running, will be able to be
performed outside the pool. The support of the water and the reduced fear of falling can
aid mobility practice. Exercises against the resistance of water and dynamic exercises
within the water can also improve muscle strength, balance and co-ordination.

Hydrotherapy can be used to speed up the recovery of patients that are unable to weight-
bear or can only partially weight-bear following surgery or injury, by increasing range of
movement and maintaining muscle strength.

In addition to the above, hydrotherapy can:

• increase mobility
• reduce pain 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

Hydrotherapy is an effective way to treat children with neurological and orthopaedic

conditions. It is enjoyed by children because it is fun and gives them a freedom of
movement only experienced in a hydrotherapy pool.

Hydrotherapy Facilities
Manchester Neuro Physio provide one to one hydrotherapy services at a specialist
centre in South Manchester.

The water in the pool is warm, and is maintained at 33–37°C.

Access into the pool is via a small ramp. Wheelchair access is available using a special
wheelchair that can be wheeled gently down the ramp and into the water. There is also a
rail around the edge of the pool for extra support.

A large poolside changing area is provided alongside the hydrotherapy pool. This is
suitable for individuals that require assistance with dressing. Ambulant patients are able
to change in the main changing facilities.

Manchester Neuro Physio also provide one on one deep water running and walking
programmes in the state of the art ‘Swim-ex’ flume pool. This type of treatment is used
to maintain optimal sports conditioning for athletes whilst injured. Manchester Neuro
Physio use the flume pool in the rehabilitation of both musculoskeletal and neurological
patients. The centre is easily accessible by road and free car parking is provided.
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In hydrotherapy, water is used as a therapeutic measure. Already ice water therapy has
been discussed. The pool therapy is one wherein patients are mobilized to do activities in
warm swimming pool.

This warmth of water reduces pain and relaxes muscle spasm. Water with its buoyancy
counteracts gravity, provides support and relieves weight bearing in degenerated joints or
unstable joints.

Pool therapy is indicated in

Indications

• Degenerative arthritis
• Neurological disorders-hemiplegia, paraplegia

Contraindications

• Infection
• Haemodynamically unstable patients
• Major systemic illness
• Tracheostomy
• Vertigo, epilepsy
• Others