There are few things as relaxing as a hot bath after a long day or taking a quick dip in a pool to cool off in the middle of a blazing hot summer. It seems that our bodies are instinctively drawn to the healing properties of water! So, how can this ancient wisdom be applied to recovering from an accident? Well, in the form of hydrotherapy of course.

What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy, also known as Aquatic therapy, is an alternative form of physiotherapy taking place in the water. Like traditional physiotherapy on land, hydrotherapy is a program designed by a qualified physiotherapist to help individual clients reach a specific goal in the rehabilitation of their injuries.   

Hydrotherapy is still an under-utilized resource today, but studies have shown that it can be a very effective tool in the rehabilitation arsenal.

 

Hydrotherapy works – and here’s why

Experiencing an accident can be very traumatic, and the recovery process can take weeks to months, depending on the severity of the injuries. Some of the more common injuries associated with accidents include whiplash, neck/back, knee, and ankle injuries, and fractures.

Not everybody responds the same to treatment, so a rehabilitation program, tailored to each individual client, may be necessary. Often the severity of an injury, high levels of pain, or physical limitations make it hard or impossible to start traditional physiotherapy immediately. However, the unique properties of water mean you can start therapy sooner rather than later which will shorten your recovery time and get you back on your feet.

Firstly, the buoyancy of water reduces your body weight. The extra support means your injured muscles and joints no longer need to fight gravity. This makes hydrotherapy very effective, especially in the early stages when your muscles and joints might not yet be able to support your full weight. The support of the water also helps to improve your flexibility, balance, and coordination and strengthen your muscles.

Secondly, warm water can decrease the swelling and inflammation of injured areas and increase blood circulation to affected areas which may speed up the healing process. The warm water also helps with pain relief. It’s human nature to avoid pain, so by lessening the pain, you’re more motivated to complete your rehabilitation regimen.

Finally, water provides resistance while reducing the risk of further injury. If you’ve ever tried to walk in a pool, you’ll know that water puts up some resistance depending on how fast you move. This allows the therapist to work with a resistance level comfortable for the client while limiting the risk of re-injury due to the resistance being too high.

The extra support provided by the buoyancy of the water and the reassurance that the risk of further injury is minimal go a long way to motivating people to get the most out of their therapy. Successful hydrotherapy will make transitioning to traditional, land-based, physiotherapy easier and helps build muscle strength and confidence!

Of course, as with all medical treatments, there are some conditions, like uncontrolled epilepsy or open wounds, which might need extra care or are incompatible with hydrotherapy, so always speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. 

Conclusion

Regaining maximum mobility and healing both your body and your mind is an important step to dealing with the aftermath of an accident, and hydrotherapy can be very beneficial in helping your body heal or adapt to living with new limitations. Whether you’re an athlete or an artist, just starting out in life, or already have years of experience under your belt, hydrotherapy can be used by anyone.