Benefits of Public Hydrotherapy Pools
Hydrotherapy (or aquatic exercise) provides a safe, controlled space for both exercise and rehabilitation in a therapeutic environment.
Set at an average of 34°C, the water in a hydrotherapy pool is significantly warmer than a regular swimming pool. The surrounding air temperature is also set higher to create a healing, nourishing and welcoming environment.
There are many therapeutic benefits of public hydrotherapy pools. An ideal exercise option for people with limited mobility.
Hydrotherapy, derives from the Greek words hydro (water) and therapia (healing). It’s a great alternative to land based and low-impact exercise as the water allows free and independent movement without straining your body.
Public hydrotherapy pools are designed for people with restricted mobility. The pools have options for both assisted and independent access. The popularity of hydrotherapy is ever-increasing because of its profound physical and psychological benefits. Here we have outlined some of the main benefits:
Reduces Body Pain and Joint Impact
The buoyancy of water reduces weight bearing stress on the body, enables free movement and increases the range of motion for your joints. Warm water combined with hydrostatic pressure (the resistance we feel from being submerged in water) improves circulation in the body and decreases swelling. The higher temperature equally encourages muscles to relax, reducing muscle spasms and alleviating pain from tense areas of the body.
Improves Fitness & Balance
The density of water increases resistance on the body when performing an exercise. The environment of a hydrotherapy pool can help strengthen, tone and reeducate muscles. It is a great alternative to working with weights on land. Turbulence in the water also makes the core muscles work hard to maintain balance and stability which overtime can also improve your posture.
Exercises for Individual Needs
A variety of classes, freestyle and private sessions are all available at public hydrotherapy pools to suit individual needs, so you won’t feel out of your depth. Everyone can move at their own pace. Just remember the faster you move in water, the more resistance and the more you’ll make your muscles work harder. Floating dumbbells, ankle weights, noodles, and other pool toys can all be used to enhance resistance or help you float with minimal effort.
Decreases Anxiety and Mental Stress
Immersing yourself in warm water not only creates a sedative effect on the body as muscles naturally begin to relax but also on the mind. The relaxing environment of a hydrotherapy pool along with exercises designed to suit your individual needs, reduces cortisol levels (stress hormone) and increases serotonin levels (happy hormone).
Fun Social Activity
Hydrotherapy is a fun recreational hobby! It provides the opportunity to get out of the house to socialise and perform a variety of exercises that otherwise might be difficult or impossible to do on land. Those with limited mobility can achieve total independence in the water and can compete with their able-bodied counterparts on equal terms. The skills learned in hydrotherapy can improve water confidence, boost morale and develop overall health and well-being. To find your local public hydrotherapy pool simply search, “hydrotherapy pools near me,” into Google. There are plenty around for you to choose from!
Always contact your doctor or physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine to obtain the necessary advice on what activities are suitable for you. At Automobility, our main goal is to improve mobility and help you maintain independence, giving you back some freedom.
If you’d like to know more about how a wheelchair access vehicle can benefit an active lifestyle, you can contact our team here. We are more than happy to support and guide you along the way.
