Hydrotherapy Classes

What is Hydrotherapy used for?

We offer Hydrotherapy within a group setting.  The exercise classes are personalised, making  the classes as interesting and rewarding as possible. 
Hydrotherapy is especially beneficial for many conditions, especially:

• Arthritis
• Back pain
• Post surgical rehab
• Injury rehabilitation

What is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy encompasses a variety of activities performed in water, often involving movement and exercise in a warm pool for rehabilitation purposes. These water-based activities are designed to have a therapeutic effect.  Aquatic Physiotherapy (often used interchangeably as Hydrotherapy) is a type of exercise in warm water and is an effective treatment for people with neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions.  

The goals of this therapy are muscle relaxation, strengthening, improving joint motion, rehabilitation and reducing pain and it can help improve muscle coordination and balance.

Hydrotherapy/Aquatic physiotherapy can be beneficial for people of all ages and stages. Many different conditions are treated with aquatic physiotherapy including Arthritis, Back Pain, Post-surgical rehabilitation and injury rehabilitation.

Exercise in water is especially beneficial for people that find exercising on land difficult or very painful.

• When you stand in water up to your waist you are only taking 50 per cent of your body weight through your back and your legs.
• In chest deep water you are only taking 30 per cent of your body weight.

 This may make moving easier in water for the joints and muscles that are painful or weak. If you find walking difficult after an injury, then learning to move or in water is a great option to exercise and keep moving. 

Hydrotherapy sessions with a physiotherapist provides support in the water through exercises that are appropriately challenging while monitoring your medical conditions to maintain your safety.

When is Hydrotherapy appropriate?

Hydrotherapy/Aquatic physiotherapy can help many conditions that result in pain, stiffness, weakness, deconditioning or low fitness, balance problems or difficulties moving.

Hydrotherapy/Aquatic physiotherapy focuses on gentle exercise in the early stages of your rehabilitation. These exercises can be progressed as you become stronger and can manage more challenging exercises.

Before beginning Hydrotherapy it’s important that your medical conditions are stable. If you have high blood pressure, consult your GP to ensure it is well-managed. If you’ve had surgery involving an incision, the wound must be healed before entering the pool. It’s advisable to get clearance from your surgeon or doctor before starting hydrotherapy or discuss with your physiotherapist to determine if you’re ready.

 Hydrotherapy Assessment

Your physiotherapist will first complete a land-based assessment to test your movement. They will chat with you about your main concerns and discuss goals. They may include strengthening, flexibility and balance.

How effective is hydrotherapy or aquatic physiotherapy?

Research shows that doing aquatic exercise results in similar improvements in walking, balance, pain and quality of life as land-based exercise in many conditions. The most research has been done in hip and knee arthritis or joint replacements, other types of arthritis, older adults, fibromyalgia and low back pain. There are also studies in neurological conditions, showing benefits for people with Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury. Similarly, research in pregnant women, paediatrics and heart and respiratory conditions demonstrates that people can benefit from aquatic exercise.

Hydrotherapy at EBR Physio

At EBR Physio we currently run our Hydrotherapy classes at  BHN Bentleigh East located  at 2A Gardeners Road in East Bentleigh. The exercise classes are personalised to the individual needs and abilities of participants.  Michael Wynne makes the classes interesting and rewarding and fun! 

When, Where & Wear

When: Classes take place on Tuesdays  4:00pm – 5:00pm 

Where: BHN Bentleigh East located  at 2A Gardeners Road in East Bentleigh. This is a purpose built hydro pool maintained at a comfortable 33 to 34.5° C.

Please allow for an hour to change and dry off.

Wear  your bathers & thongs/slides to the pool.  Also bring 2 x towels, one to dry with and one to stand one. 

How do I join the Hydrotherapy class?

If you are a current patient please speak to your physio about being added to the class.

If you are a new patient or haven’t seen us recently then you will need to have an assessment at our rooms before you can join the Hydrotherapy class.

You may be able to continue your exercises independently once a regime has been established.
Please note that these classes are suitable even for non-swimmers.

Can I claim Physio Exercise classes through my health insurance?

YES!
All of our classes are conducted by registered Physiotherapists & are claimable through private health insurance extras. We can also provide hydrotherapy to Home Care Package funded clients and NDIS participants.