Hydrotherapy is an innovative physiotherapy technique that uses water to reduce the strain on the body while engaging in restorative exercise. With the help of a qualified physiotherapist, it can be used to enable older adults to perform movements they would otherwise struggle with. This makes it well-suited to managing long-term conditions like arthritis and recovering from injuries or surgery.
A 2018 study found hydrotherapy to be a “successful training and rehabilitation method to help improve postural control, confidence, mobility and quality of life in the elderly population.” Another from 2023 went further, stating that “aquatic physical therapy exercises are more effective than their land-based counterparts in enhancing balance, gait, and quality of life.”
With hydrotherapy’s benefits receiving mainstream clinical recognition, it is only natural that we would provide it for our residents at Loveday. But what exactly is hydrotherapy? How can it help older adults in a care setting? And what does it look like at Loveday?
To find out more about the impact of hydrotherapy, we spoke with Leslie Abrahams, Head of Physio and Wellness Operations at the 1150 Club.
How Does Hydrotherapy Work?
Simply put, hydrotherapy is the use of water’s buoyancy to address health conditions. Hydrotherapy is employed to aid rehabilitation, recovery, and wellbeing, often as part of a broader physiotherapy plan. As with every element of your care, our clinical team will carefully consider how hydrotherapy can support an individual and what they stand to gain from it.
Leslie says, “a resident will do an assessment with me, and I’ll have a chat with them to set some goals. Establish where they’re at, where they want to get to, and how we get there.”
While often conflated with “aqua therapy” or “pool therapy”, hydrotherapy at Loveday is not conducted in a group setting at a swimming pool, but one-on-one using a specialised hydro treadmill. This is more accessible for residents and ensures they receive bespoke treatment specific to their needs.
Hydrotherapy is delivered on an individual basis by a professional in-house physiotherapist specifically qualified in hydrotherapy. They will guide you through a series of exercises that soothe inflammation, ease strain, and build coordination and balance.
But How Does Hydrotherapy Help?
“With hydrotherapy, we get somebody into the water that is unable to move well,” Leslie explains. “The properties of water actually enable you to move better. So we end up with less body weight going through your feet, and also the buoyancy assists you with the movements.”
The water in the hydro treadmill reduces the body’s weight on joints by as much as 80%, enabling individuals to move more comfortably and freely.
“We mostly utilise range of movement exercises first,” Leslie says. “The water assists movement, so you can get the joint through a bigger range of movement simply because you take weight off the limb. So you get a lot more range in the legs, spine and shoulder”.
The water aids movement so that you can target certain body parts or muscles to work out without the same risk of injury or overexertion that may be present out of the water. This enables you to build up your strength and confidence in a safe environment.
The Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is often employed to help people recover from surgery and manage long-term conditions with lower physical risks.
The heat relaxes sore muscles and joints, and the decreased weight makes movement easier. Individuals can carry out exercises as part of a rehabilitation plan in a safe environment with support from the water’s buoyancy, and discover a new range of motion not accessible out of the water.
The relief on the joints is also hugely beneficial for easing pain and swelling, which has a major positive impact on wellbeing. Relief from pain and being able to exert physically in a safe environment has also proven hugely beneficial to improving motor functions and cognitive processes in older adults.
Leslie explains how hydrotherapy can also improve heart health.
“When moving under hydrostatic pressure, your heart rate actually goes up a little bit. So, for a small amount of movement because of the pressure of the water, you can actually get a slightly elevated heart rate, which improves heart health without stressing your body.”
This allows the heart to exercise without carrying the same risks physical activity might hold for other parts of the body. This is vital to improving stamina, regulating blood pressure, and ensuring long-term circulatory health.
What Conditions Can Hydrotherapy Help With?
While hydrotherapy has myriad applications as a physiotherapy tool, the impact it can have on long-term conditions primarily affecting older adults cannot be understated.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that sees cartilage in the joints dissolve, leading to the bones grinding directly against one another, causing stiffness and pain.
Leslie tells us that “the water is really useful for people with arthritis, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.”
Submersion reduces gravity’s pull on the joint to allow for a greater range of movement, improved circulation, and reduced swelling. It is an effective and safe way to improve functionality and significantly improve a resident’s quality of life.
Neurological Conditions
The water also provides relief for those with neurological conditions who are having difficulty with movement and coordination.
“If you’ve got a neurological problem, muscle weakness, inability to move, muscle spasms, the water generally calms that down as well,” Leslie explains. “It will also help if you’ve had a stroke or had issues with spasticity.”
The increased buoyancy from the water and the soothing warmth aid motion and exercise. The hydrotreadmill is a safe environment in which you can rebuild confidence in your movements without the same risk of strain or injury in a conventional gym.
Circulation and Heart Health
“When we get older, we don’t move as much. So, we get a lot of pooling of fluid into the lower limbs. The hydrostatic pressure aids circulation, reduces the pooling of fluid, and reduces swelling in the lower legs,” Leslie says.
This has a huge number of benefits, helping to improve heart health, reduce stroke risk, and improving mobility among older adults. A healthy heart and circulatory system helps to build stamina and confidence in daily life and is key to long-term wellbeing.
How Loveday Uses Hydrotherapy to Aid Recovery & Wellbeing
At Loveday, we have two state-of-the-art hydro treadmills, one on the grounds of our Esher residence and the other at our Belgravia residence in central London. Regardless of location, all of our residents can access this unique care offering to speed their recovery.
To find out more about hydrotherapy and how Loveday’s personalised luxury nursing care delivers excellent clinical results and elevated wellbeing for you or your loved one, call 020 3281 1890. Our team is available to discuss your care needs and arrange a private tour of one of our sophisticated residences.
