Hydrotherapy

[oldbones]

Ok, I didn't really get an answer to this question I've been pondering. What the heck IS "hydrotherapy"? I'm assuming it has something to do with water but I can't wrap my mind around what it is. I can remember back in the early days of my nursing career that burn patients used to be put in this big "vat" much like a swirling hot tub. I'm sure that hydrotherapy is nothing like this but help me understand. Oldbones:

 

[PRGal]

I suppose the definition could vary depending on what treatment is for--as you described for burn patients, for example.

The facility I went to had a small heated pool with an underwater treadmill, used for walking (no running or jogging). When treadmill was off, you could also do leg lifts and other abduction and adduction exercises. This one also had an underwater camera, so therapist could observe your gait, form, etc.

 

[Texas]

I do hydro therapy. You just do excercises in the water, mostly like on land but it makes it alot easier. The pool I go to has bars, these kinda peddle bikes and more in the water. Just takes the pressure off of you knee/hip and makes it easier to excercise. I love it...I still do some land. You can try to run in the water we walk up and down. Squat, just a lil less painfull...They also have areobics in the water....hope that helps....water is usually warm water...

 

[Steph]

Sorry Oldbones, I thought we had answered this OK. The treatment I had was in a small sort of swimming pool, water as deep as chest height on a tall person and with a temperature of blood heat. Basically the idea is that you do supervised exercise for your hip/knee under water. Obviously observing the 90 degree rule etc, the physiotherapist takes you through the same programme of stretching exercises that you have to do several times a day without water. Plus some extras - the biggie for me was lying on my back in the water and cycling with my legs and it didn't hurt.

As the water absorbs up to 60% of your body weight and gives a huge support, it is so much easier to do the exercises without any discomfort. It was a really good moral boost for me to see the extent my new joint could move under water without any pain or restriction of screaming muscles.

I have now booked in for another 4 sessions over the next few weeks as I felt it really could be a useful recovery aid. Well worth a try if you have a pool anywhere near you.

Steph

 

[steven]

i have just finished 6 weeks of hydro and it does help i spoke to some other people about it and they said that walking is the best , u know when i get out the pool i feel it . in the water i can move my hip well when i am out i cannot i just hope in time i can move as well in the water . my hip is 2 months old

 

[Josephine]

Steph, what kind of facility did you go to? Was it the physio department in a hospital, elsewhere? Sounds really good stuff.

 

[Troweltalk]

I began "water arobics" at about week 6.

Various kinds of exercises including walking, lunging, sissor movements which worked the abductors, all with the legs under water so the impact is nill and the resistance of the water was very beneficial. It helped a lot.

 

[Steph]

Steph, what kind of facility did you go to? Was it the physio department in a hospital, elsewhere? Sounds really good stuff.

Jo, it was the physio dept of the Chilterns hospital where I had the op done. There is also a gym there too which I might have a go at, you can use it supervised or not.

 

[Josephine]

Ah! That explains it!

 

[Steph]

Ah! That explains it!

Just done a search to see if there is a pool nearer to where I live and the Royal Bucks Hospital in Aylesbury has one that can be used either by referral or insured patients as well as anyone who just wants to pay £50 for 30 minutes.