Hydrotherapy Tips and Tricks

Stayce

I am starting hydrotherapy shortly and it's something I have not done before. Wondering if anyone on the community has any tips and exercises that they have found worked well in the hydro pool?

Best wishes

Sam_Alumni

Hi @Stayce we actually have a guest post about Hydrotherapy coming up next week! 

veriterc

I had Polio, and when I saw a specialist he told me he wanted me to have this every week - for the rest of my life, as he thinks it is so good.  Needless to say I saw him privately, and I was having sessions at a wonderful private hospital - but they cost £75 (did include Molton Brown goodies though!).  I did manage to slide in to the NHS system, where my local hospital gives one six sessions - did this at a couple of local hospitals!  Now found one of them offers sessions at £20 a go, but only once a fortnight.  So I alternate with this one and private, as sessions make me feel more alive and help with energy  Go for it!

niceboots

Hi stayce I go for hydro when things get really tight and achy and it really helps I find 'cycling' my legs in the water really helps loosen them up, and side stepping in the water helps both loosen an stabilise my hips. One tip I'd give you is make sure you have plenty of water for afterwards as it will be really humid in there where the pool is heated to around 35 degrees and you'll be moving around in it! I find my first session of a block really takes it out of me... So I always have my sports bottle handy... plus some salted nuts for afterwards to replace some of the lost minerals 

Stayce

Hi @Sam_Scope
That's awesome that there is going to be a guest post about hydrotherapy- great timing

It would be really great if the guest post could suggest a sort of a starter for 10 exercises for in hydro pool. Sort of general wellbeing stuff. Any good ones for calf and anything that encourages dorsiflexion would be great for me, personally. I have a few from my Physio but not sure have enough to fill a session.

 I am attempting to recovery from tendinitis in ankle which is now chronic

I am hoping it will stop me spending hours in the bath tub - as it's the only way at the moment can do my Physio

Stayce

Hi @veriterc
That is really helpful. I am accessing hydrotherapy through NHS too - never been suggested to me before actually looking forward to it  

Stayce

Hi @niceboots

That is really great advice -Thanks so much for this. I will definitely give cycling my legs and side stepping a go and be sure to pack some water and salted peanuts
35 degrees sounds like  bliss

niceboots

@Stayce the water is bliss... although hydro as an adult is totally different to how I remember hydro as a kid, then it was all about relaxing the muscles- floating around, gentle movements, slight stretching and bit of walking up and down. Hydro as an adult is all push harder, stretch further!! Saying that I really do see results.. I just have to sweat for them!! Do you know if they are going to come up with an exercise program for you? I have had blocks of sessions at my local hospital with a physio, then moved onto self help sessions at a local private physio centre when I have got an independent programme. 

Stayce

Hi @niceboots
Thanks so much for this. My small programme has been developed by my Physio on NHS. The hydrotherapy pool I can accesss on the NHS ( is not at hospital but a leisure centre)  I will go there with exercises been given to do and there will be a different Physio there to support on set days and times

I think over time I will get a lengthier programme to go through 

Best wishes

veriterc

There are two different hydro pool programmes:  led by Physio, or on your own.
If you are on an NHS six-sessions programme this will be led by a physio who is in the water with you and two or three other patients.  This is best I find, because the physio gives you the exercises to do - there are generally lots of floats/toys to use to make this enjoyable! And they keep an eye on you to make sure you are doing exercise properly.  

Sam_Alumni

Today's guest post from @estellosaurus talks about her experience of hydrotherapy, take a look and let us know what you think!

veriterc

I agree re benefits of Hydrotherapy.  My private consultant (have to go privately as NHS doesn't know what polio is) said he wanted me to have this.  For how long I asked?  "For the rest of your life - it is essential".  
So I ended up at the hospital where Queen Mum, Craig Revell Horwood etc. went for hip ops, to find that their hip patients are given a special waterproof dressing and sent into their pool after the op.  And they recover pretty quickly.   As you say, the exercise is wonderful.
There are hydrotherapy pools in NHS hospitals, but they seem to keep them secret.  And will only give you 6 sessions when you get accepted.  So I go back to the private pool, and pay, in between trying to get sessions on NHS.

amjblack

I have worked as a support worker for people with cerebral palsy and other similar conditions. I have taken many to the the pool. Each person has been to a physio at the pool to get a suitable program. It makes such a difference. I was unaware that some things are incorrect for certain problems. also how much better to have a program to meet your needs specifically. One lady wanted to avoid having to get a hoist and wanted to work on transfers. She did so well after seeing a physio just a few times but getting a great hydro-program  to do with me. The physio showed me what to do and we go back from time to time to get reviewed and get different exercises to progress and get stronger. I really think that seeing a physio is a good idea if you want to get the most benefit from the time you put in.