Aquatic therapy (also known as hydrotherapy) is physiotherapy performed in a heated swimming pool.
Hydrotherapy differs from swimming because it involves special exercises that you do in a warm-water pool. The water temperature is warmer than a typical swimming pool and is heated to at least 32⁰C. A physiotherapist uses the properties of the water and a variety of treatment approaches (including manual therapy, facilitation and exercise) to address your child's therapeutic goals. This type of rehabilitation program can improve a child’s strength and movement. Programs are tailored for each person.
Download a copy of this leaflet below:
Aquatic Therapy for adults and children
Our pools:
Our MSK physiotherapy team have access to 2 hospital swimming pools:
- Kent and Canterbury Hospital
- William Harvey Hospital
Before being offered hydrotherapy sessions we will check any medical problems to make sure it is safe for you to come into the pool. If your physiotherapist feels that hydrotherapy is appropriate they will refer you for sessions. The sessions are run by a physiotherapist, physiotherapy assistant or physiotherapy student. A physiotherapist is always present. The sessions will last up to 30 minutes depending on how your child copes with the heat of the water. The sessions will be weekly for 4-6 weeks depending on your child’s need. Physiotherapists are able to refer your child for a one-off appointment if you require advice for exercises to complete in local pools. Parents/guardians are required to be poolside at all times during the sessions. The sessions are individual and work on the specific goals set by your child’s physiotherapist. Following the sessions, your child may feel tired and will need to make sure that they have plenty of fluids. This is due to the effects of having therapy in a warm water pool.
Benefits of Exercising in Water:
- Using the resistance of water to aid muscle strength and tone
- Using buoyancy to help with walking re-education and balance
- Increases your fitness level and endurance by increasing your heart and lung strength
- Decreases swelling and improves blood flow. Pressure from the water around your body helps your blood to circulate from your legs to your heart. This can reduce swelling in the joints and lessen joint tenderness. The resistance you get in the water improves your strength and balance. It can also increase your awareness of your body, so you know where your joint is in space.
- Increases your range of motion at your joints and flexibility. Exercising in water allows you to have less stress on your joints. When the water comes up to your neck, your joints are only supporting about 10% of your body weight.
The Water:
- Lessens gravity forces on joints that may not be able to bear as much weight out of the water
- Improves your range of motion as heated water relaxes muscles
- Provides support to let you move, stretch, walk, and strengthen your muscles and joints
- Helps you progress to exercising on land
Children we see:
Children with injuries, pain, and limited range of motion, weakness, Perthes, or after surgery can often gain strength and greater range of motion.
Safety First:
If you feel any of these signs, both before attending and during aquatic therapy, please tell the therapist:
- Please let us know if your medical status has changed
- Do not attend aquatic therapy if you are feeling unwell, for instance: nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
- Drink water before and after your aquatic therapy: this is important due to the warmth of the water
- Check your skin and reschedule your appointment if you have any open wounds
- If you have a foot infection, wear a protective sock
- Shower before entering the pool
- Do not enter the water unless a member of staff is present
- Do not jump into the pool
- Tell us if you begin to feel unwell during your session.
Advice for young children:
- Please let us know if your medical status has changed
- Do not attend aquatic therapy if you are feeling unwell, for instance: nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
- Drink water before and after your aquatic therapy: this is important due to the warmth of the water
- Check your skin and reschedule your appointment if you have any open wounds
- If you have a foot infection, wear a protective sock
- Shower before entering the pool
- Do not enter the water unless a member of staff is present
- Do not jump into the pool
- Tell us if you begin to feel unwell during your session.
Ideally children will start to play in water and to learn to swim at a very young age. Generally, the younger a child, the more easily he or she will become confident in the water. An early program should concentrate on water awareness and confidence in the water:
- Getting used to the feel of the water
- Getting used to water on the face
- Splashing own face
- Running water over the head
- Blowing objects along the water
- Blowing bubbles in the water.
These activities can be done in the bathtub as well as the pool, so children become used to them.
Useful links:
What should my child wear in the pool
