Hydrotherapy benefits for users and carers

Hydrotherapy, also known as aquatic therapy, is a type of physical therapy that involves exercising in water. It is increasingly popular for people with reduced mobility, as it provides a low-impact exercise environment. Regular exercise is crucial for healthy living, but traditional land-based routines are challenging and even painful in some situations. Water provides buoyancy, which reduces the impact on the body while still allowing for resistance training. This enables people with mobility-related health conditions or impairments to work on building strength without putting too much strain on their bodies.

Pain and inflammation

Hydrotherapy helps reduce pain and inflammation as warm water is soothing and may increase blood flow to the injured area. This increased blood flow aids healing and reduces pain and inflammation. Additionally, the pressure of the water can act as a natural massage, helping release tension in the muscles and promoting relaxation.

Balance and coordination

Another benefit of hydrotherapy is improved balance and coordination. Water provides a unique environment in which people must use their muscles differently to maintain balance and stability. Improved coordination helps prevent falls and other accidents, proving especially beneficial for individuals with already limited mobility or existing health conditions.

Mental health

Hydrotherapy is a fantastic way to improve mental health. It provides a unique supportive environment where individuals exercise and socialise with others. This helps improve mood and reduces feelings of isolation, which is particularly important for people who are unable to participate in traditional forms of exercise or socialising.

Benefits for health conditions and injuries

Hydrotherapy benefits people with a wide range of disabilities and conditions, such as mobility issues and injuries, chronic pain, neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, sports injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation.

For legal and medical professionals, there is evidence to suggest that hydrotherapy can be a cost-effective and beneficial treatment for clients and patients with some injuries or conditions. For example, one study has found that hydrotherapy was a cost-effective treatment for individuals with spinal cord injuries. The study compared the cost of hydrotherapy to the cost of traditional physical therapy and found that hydrotherapy was more cost-effective, with lower total costs and better outcomes.

There have even been cases where hydrotherapy has been deemed a necessary and reasonable treatment for personal injury clients. In the case of Jackson v. Royal Mail Group Ltd (2011), the plaintiff was awarded damages to cover the cost of hydrotherapy after lifting a heavy bag of mail left him with a serious back injury. The court acknowledged that hydrotherapy was a recognised form of treatment for back injuries and that it was a reasonable and necessary part of Mr Jackson’s rehabilitation plan. In terms of timescales, hydrotherapy may be able to speed up the recovery process for certain injuries or conditions.

A study in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal found that hydrotherapy was more effective than land-based therapy for individuals with knee osteoarthritis, with faster improvements in pain, function and quality of life.

Home bathing benefits

Home bathing carries with it similar benefits to elements of a hydrotherapy recovery plan. A variety of home adaptation products can assist with hydrotherapy, including products designed to make bathing safer and more accessible:

• Walk-in baths are designed to make bathing safer and more accessible for individuals with mobility issues. These baths have a low step-in height or a door that opens, allowing people to enter and exit the bath safely and easily. Walk-in baths may also include features such as built-in seats, grab bars, hydromassage jets, LED lights and non-slip surfaces for added safety.
• Bath lifts are designed to assist individuals get in and out of the existing standard bath safely. The lifts are placed inside the bath and are raised and lowered using a remote control.
• Non-slip flooring can be placed inside the bathroom to reduce the risk of slips and falls. The non-slip surface provides added grip and stability even when wet, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
• Assisted baths help improve the work environment for carers in more complex cases. They include height adjustable, tilting, dementia-friendly baths, and baths with inbuilt changing tables. Assisted baths can be used with hoists to facilitate a safer transfer into the bath, for both the user and carer.h

Hydrotherapy is therefore a cost-effective and beneficial treatment for people with particular conditions and injuries, and may be deemed a reasonable and necessary treatment in some cases.

To consider the potential benefits and risks of this treatment, and to select the best possible options to support your well-being in the comfort of your home, speak to an occupational therapist or a specialist bathroom adaptations company such as EA Mobility (0800 468 1023).