Hydrotherapy is any activity performed in water to assist in rehabilitation and recovery from eg. hard training or serious injury. It is a form of exercise in warm water and is a popular treatment for patients with neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions. The goals of this therapy are muscle relaxation, improving joint motion and reducing pain.
Hydrotherapy Effects:
Relieve pain and muscle spasm
To gain relaxation
To maintain or increase the range of joint movement
To re-educate paralyzed muscles
To strengthen weak muscles and to develop their power and endurance.
To encourage walking and other functional and recreational activities.
To improve circulation (trophic condition of the skin)
To give the patient encouragement and confidence in carrying out his exercises, thereby improving his morale.
The warmth of water blocks nociception by acting on thermal receptors and mechanoreceptors, thus influencing spinal segmental mechanisms.
Warm water stimulates blood flow positively, which leads to muscle relaxation.
the hydrostatic effect may relieve pain by reducing peripheral oedema and by dampening the sympathetic nervous system activity.
