Best Hydrotherapy Near Me in Belsize Park, London

Hydrotherapy is a pool-based form of physiotherapy that typically takes place in warm water. It’s used to help relieve pain, relax and strengthen muscles, and boost your circulation and is commonly offered to people with limited mobility. Hydrotherapy is effective for a number of reasons including buoyancy (relieves joint and muscle stress), reduced gravitation (allows joints with limited movement to move more freely), and heat (increases blood circulation, soothes muscles and reduces the likelihood of muscle spasm).

Hydrotherapy can bring a huge range of benefits including reduced pain, and increased mobility, balance, circulation, and aerobic fitness. It can also speed up surgery recovery times, boost self-confidence, and leave you feeling relaxed.

The frequency of hydrotherapy sessions is likely to be guided by your physiotherapist. You may need a couple of sessions a week, or you may need more.

No. Before you book in for hydrotherapy, check with your doctor and physiotherapist if it’s likely to be of benefit to you; if you get the green light, book a session that’s supervised by a trained professional, and carried out in a hygienic hydrotherapy pool. Temporary side effects can include headaches, dizziness, nausea and chills. If you suffer with a heart condition, epilepsy, or chlorine allergy, or if you have a high temperature, an open wound, or a skin infection you should avoid hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy normally takes place in special hydrotherapy pools that are shallow and heated to between 91.4F (33°C) and 96.8°F (36°C). You’ll need to shower before and after the session, and you’ll enter the pool either via hoist or by using steps and a handrail. Your trained physiotherapist will supervise your entire session, giving you specific exercises to perform and helping you whenever you need it. Exercises may include walking, stretching, and postural movements. Sessions are likely to last 20-30 minutes. The beauty of hydrotherapy is that you don’t need to be able to swim in order to take part and benefit.

Hydrotherapy comes in different forms, and includes aquatic exercise (like water aerobics), Sitzbaths (relieves haemorrhoid and anal fissure discomfort), warm water baths (reduces pain and inflammation), and contrast baths (reduces pain, spasms and inflammation, and boosts circulation by alternating between warm and cool water therapies in quick succession), ice bath immersion (boosts circulation and wellbeing).