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Aquatic Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Designed for Water

Aquatic Physiotherapy (AP) is also known as Hydrotherapy and involves the use of exercise and handling techniques utilising the properties of water. In conjunction with hands-on therapy, we aim to encourage independence through swimming for cardiovascular fitness and independent exercise while supporting you through your rehabilitation. The hydrotherapy pool is a fully accessible pool, with a water temperature of between 34-35°C and a ceiling track hoist, chair hoist and two accessible changing rooms. 

Who is the Hydrotherapy Pool For?

Aquatic Physiotherapy can benefit individuals in a number of different ways. The water eases the pain in your joints and allows your muscles to relax, both of which help you to exercise. The water supports your weight, which also increases the range of movement of your joints.

Hobbs Rehabilitation provides aquatic physiotherapy rehabilitation to children and adults of all ages with a neurological condition or injury such as a brain injury, spinal cord injury or stroke.

No previous swimming experience is required to access the hydrotherapy pool.

What are the Benefits of Aquatic Rehabilitation?

The fully accessible hydrotherapy pool comes with many benefits

Strengthen muscles without gravity & using water resistance

Assist movement which provides safer practice of function

Relief from pain, tension and spasms

Relaxation and increases confidence

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You will be contacted to determine your needs and assessment location

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Your therapist will recommend the best course of treatment

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Once you have booked you will be ready to start your treatment plan.

Patient participating in aquatic physiotherapy session in a hydrotherapy pool in Winchester with a physiotherapist
Rehab assistant and Physiotherapist in the hydro pool supporting patient floating using a float

What to Expect

Your therapist will send you a medical history questionnaire to ensure your safety to enter the pool, to determine goals you wish to achieve and to talk through any specific requirements.

Once in the pool, your therapist will work through various stretches and exercises, which helps us to further assess your rehabilitation needs. We aim to provide 6 sessions followed by a review to assess whether continuing therapy would be beneficial. Following this, your therapist can draw up a rehab plan for you to complete on your own during supervised sessions within the pool.

Hobbs Rehabilitation aquatic physiotherapy service is provided as a stand-alone treatment or it can build part of your treatment plan as an outpatient for adults and children.

Let's Get Started

We offer aquatic physiotherapy at Winchester Sport & Leisure Park (via Hobbs Rehabilitation South East and Winchester) – find your nearest centre

Alternatively, call us on 01962 779796 to talk with our team or fill out our enquiry form on our contact page.

We accept self-referrals and referrals from Medico-Legal, health and social care professionals and the charity sector.

 

Need More Information?

Explore a range of common questions about aquatic physiotherapy, and see how you may benefit from an assessment. If your question still isn’t answered, get in touch – contact us.

Aquatic Physiotherapy is a form of physiotherapy that is designed for and based on water. A programme of treatment is designed using the properties of the water such as buoyancy and resistance allowing for a unique and personalised treatment approach. This is carried out in a hydrotherapy pool, which is an accessible pool where the water temperature is between 34-35°C.

Winchester Leisure Centre have a specially designed hydrotherapy pool which is fully accessible with a chair/bed hoist, ceiling track hoist and steps with a rail to enter the pool.

Aquatic physiotherapy provides many benefits for those with stroke, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other neurological conditions:

  • Hydrostatic pressure in aquatic physiotherapy can help relieve swelling and improve cardiovascular output.
  • Warm water used in aquatic rehabilitation helps to relieve tone and spasticity, therefore promoting functional independence and reducing pain. The warm water also helps to relax muscles, therefore, relieving musculoskeletal pain and tension.
  • Buoyancy when in water gives a safe environment to work in, allowing for partial weight bearing promoting recovery and access to functional activity that may be inaccessible on land when working against gravity. Buoyancy also gives freedom to individuals to move through the water in a way they are unable to on land, due to walking aids or the use of a wheelchair.
  • Water offers higher resistance than land, helping in muscle strengthening in aquatic rehabilitation. This resistance is particularly beneficial in aquatic physiotherapy, where exercises in water contribute to improving muscle tone and mobility.
  • During aquatic physiotherapy, the water can give an individual an opportunity to improve their cardiovascular fitness where it may be challenging to complete on land. The temperature of the water allows individuals who may not be able to access a standard pool to exercise through swimming.

 

Aquatic rehabilitation and physiotherapy provide a holistic approach to recovery, promoting mental relaxation and stress reduction due to the calming effects of water. Moreover, these sessions promote social interaction and confidence-building in a supportive aquatic environment.

For your aquatic rehabilitation session, you will need to bring a swimming costume or shorts suitable for aquatic physiotherapy. You are welcome to wear a T-shirt over your swimsuit if you would feel more comfortable during your session.

It’s advisable to bring your own towel and shower gel or shampoo for after the session. Consider bringing a dressing gown or extra towels to keep yourself warm before and after your aquatic physiotherapy session.

Remember, outdoor shoes aren’t permitted around the pool area. You might want to bring indoor shoes or flip-flops for your comfort and safety. 

Please note, that elbow crutches and walking sticks can’t be used near the hydrotherapy pool. However, support frames will be provided for those needing assistance during the session.

Upon arrival, it’s recommended to arrive with sufficient time before your session for changing.

Arrival and Changing Process:

  1. You’ll be guided to the changing area upon arrival.
  2. Remember to use overshoes or indoor-only shoes and remove them before entering the poolside. Wheelchair users, please ensure your wheels are wiped before entry.
  3. Before entering the pool, it is advisable to use the restroom.
  4. Showering before entering the pool reduces contamination risk. Shower chairs are available for wheelchair users.
  5. Your therapist will meet you as you exit the changing room, possibly already in the pool.

Changing Facilities:

  • The hydrotherapy pool provides two unisex accessible changing rooms equipped with ceiling track hoists (weight limit 160kg).

  • Additional changing rooms with four cubicles each are available.

  • Accessible changing areas are limited, so if you require more than 15 minutes to change, kindly discuss this with your therapist.

 

Important Reminders:

Belongings and Lockers: Ensure you take all belongings out of the changing rooms or utilise the available lockers. These spaces may be used by the next patient while you’re in the pool.

Yes, we provide aquatic physiotherapy for both adults and children with neurological conditions or injuries. Our team includes specialists who can assist individuals of all ages. Our paediatric team is well-equipped to offer care to children across different age groups.

What Our Patients Say

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