Total Physio Physiotherapy


250 845 5953
info@totalphysio.ca

Hydrotherapy

What is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is a pool-based, low impact exercise program designed to improve your strength, flexibility, mobility, balance, and weight bearing capacity. Hydrotherapy can be first step of a strengthening program to help improve function, aid in rehabilitation and get you back to your activities of daily living following recovery from a muscle or joint injury.

At Total Physiotherapy we primarily use motion-based hydrotherapy to support the physiotherapy you have been receiving in our clinic. Your physiotherapist might recommend hydrotherapy once your symptoms have been reduced and you are ready for a strengthening program, or hydrotherapy might be recommended to assist in reducing your symptoms, alongside continued physiotherapy in our clinic.

Hydrotherapy can also be beneficial to assist with arthritis and related rheumatic complaints, partial paralysis, and can be beneficial to children and adults with cerebal palsy, and other neurological conditions, including muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinsons disease.

Why is Hydrotherapy beneficial?

If you are recovering from a serious injury or surgery, have chronic pain, limited mobility or you have compromised balance, hydrotherapy is an ideal way to ease into your rehab or fitness program. The warmth of the water allows your muscles to relax and eases the pain in your joints, helping you to exercise. Water supports your weight, which helps to relieve pain and increase the range of movement of your joints. Water can be used to provide resistance to moving your joints. By pushing your arms and legs against the water, you can also improve your muscle strength.

Who will lead my Hydrotherapy session?

Your hydrotherapy session will be lead by a kinesiologist or physiotherapist. All our hydrotherapy staff are experienced in fitness and exercise therapies in a pool setting. Your therapist will guide, monitor and progress your exercise program, and will work with you to help you reach the ability to continue in an independent exercise regime.

Your initial session will include an assessment with your therapist to ensure the hydrotherapy program developed for you best meets your needs. Your initial session may include time in the pool if time permits.

What if I can’t swim?

You don’t have to be able to swim to benefit from hydrotherapy. The pool is quite shallow (about chest height), so you can exercise within your depth. There will always be a member of our team with you and if you are nervous your therapist can be in the pool with you. You can also use floats which are available at the pool.

What else do I need to consider?

There are certain situations where you may not be able to take part in hydrotherapy. 

You must tell our staff in advance of an appointment if you have any of the following: a wound or skin infection; a virus or stomach upset; raised temperature; high or low blood pressure; breathing difficulties; kidney condition requiring dialysis; angina or heart problems; incontinence; chest infection; a chlorine allergy; uncontrolled diabetes, asthma or epilepsy. You and your physiotherapist will decide whether hydrotherapy is suitable.