Hydrotherapy is a form of aquatic rehabilitation occurring in heated water- pool temperatures are usually between 34-35 degrees. Our Therapists will source a hydrotherapy pool that is suitable for you or your relative based on location, access to transport and level of mobility.

Hydrotherapy is often used to rehabilitate or help with symptom management for a wide range of neurological conditions.
Rehabilitation within a pool environment has many benefits due to the properties of the water; these benefits include ...

• Improving/maintaining joint range of movement
• Building strength/core control
• Creating a sensory/proprioceptive challenge
• Facilitating muscle flexibility
• Cardiovascular benefits especially where weight-bearing on land is challenging
• Pain Management
• Exploring/Maintaining mobility where mobilisation on land is challenging
• Challenging stability limits

Hydrotherapy is often used as an adjunct to land based therapy however for some people depending on their clinical presentation it may be the main form of therapy to rehabilitate or alleviate symptoms.

It is important to understand that hydrotherapy is not suitable for everybody especially for people with heat sensitive ‘fatigue’. It is essential that you are initially assessed on land by an experienced Physiotherapist who has a thorough understanding of your medical history and clinical presentation before commencing hydrotherapy. Your Therapist will then devise a graded and bespoke hydrotherapy programme, our therapy team will also be happy to provide full training of a bespoke therapy programme to relatives/carers etc where appropriate.

If you would like to know whether hydrotherapy is a suitable form of therapy for you then please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team for further information. If you would like to see our Hydrotherapy leaflet you can click on the following link to download: bit.ly/TeesNeuro

Information from our Hydro therapy leaflet:

What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is therapy in water.  It is a combination of the effects of immersion (warmth and buoyancy) with exercise.

A hydrotherapy pool is a specially heated pool (Approx 34-36C) which is warmer than a swimming pool.  Your Physiotherapist may decide to use hydrotherapy as part of your treatment.  

Benefits of Hydrotherapy:

• To increase muscle strength
• To increase range of movement/flexibility
• To reduce muscle tone/spasticity
• To aid pain relief
• To improve core stability
• To challenge balance/improve proprioception (sense of self movement/body position)
• To improve cardio-vascular fitness
• Early rehabilitation of weight bearing or gait training
• To aid relaxation

Absolute Contraindications to Hydrotherapy:

• Acute vomiting/Diarrhoea (must be clear for 2 weeks)
• Uncontrolled cardiac failure
• Resting Angina
• Proven chlorine allergy
• Shortness of breath at rest
• Medical instability following an acute episode e.g CVA, DVT, MI, CABG, PE, severe asthma attack 
• Uncontrolled Epilepsy
• Heavier than 23 stone 

Accessing the pool and changing facilities
An appropriate pool will be chosen based on your needs following an initial land-based assessment. Your assessment will include a full risk assessment to check suitability.

Most Hydrotherapy pools can be accessed either by steps or by using a ceiling track hoist or chair hoist. Facilities include showers and a changing area. Most have changing plinths if required and ceiling track hoists. 

What to wear
You will need to wear appropriate swim wear and bring a change of clothes and a towel for after.  You may also want to bring showering products. If you have any issues with incontinence please speak to your Physiotherapist prior to commencing hydrotherapy so that you can be advised on appropriate protective garments. 

Advice
It is likely that following a hydrotherapy session you may feel tired and become dehydrated therefore it is important that you drink plenty of water and rest for a while after your session.  Please advise your therapist if you feel unwell at any time. Please also bring a drink to your hydrotherapy session

Local Hydrotherapy pools 

• TASC, Middlesbrough
• Hartfields Retirement Village, Hartlepool
• The Bridge, Middlesbrough
• The Alan Shearer Centre, Newcastle
• Pioneering Care Centre, Newton Aycliffe

Costs
The cost of the hydrotherapy will vary depending on which pool you access and how many treating therapists we require to ensure that you receive the best out of your session. Please discuss cost with your Physiotherapist. 

If you have any questions regarding Hydrotherapy please discuss with your treating Physiotherapist