The Benefits of Hydrotherapy

Have you ever heard the term ‘Hydrotherapy’ and wondered what it was all about? Then this blog is for you! 

Living in Australia, water in all its forms; the ocean, the river, and the pool, are a huge part of life. The water has a variety of benefits derived from its specific properties including buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and thermodynamics, which combined have a variety of therapeutic benefits (Teske, 2018). Buoyancy helps with reducing the load of body weight and can assist with providing resistance during aquatic exercise (Teske, 2018). Hydrostatic pressure supports us by providing resistance to help increase muscle strength and aerobic capacity without overstressing the muscles and soft tissue (Teske, 2018). Finally, thermodynamics refers to the temperature of the water which benefits therapy through providing relaxation, decreased pain and reduction in muscle tone (Teske, 2018). All of which make water experiences so relaxing and enjoyable for its participants. It is important to note, drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, due to individuals either reacting fearfully to a new situation, or having too little fear when entering a dangerous situation (Alaniz, 2017). Therefore, it is particularly important for children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder to have increased time adjusting and learning about the water, which hydrotherapy can assist with.

Hydrotherapy is defined by the dictionary as “the branch of therapeutics that deals with the curative use of water” and “the treatment of physical disability, injury, or illness by immersion of all or part of the body in water to facilitate movement, promote wound healing, relieve pain, etc, usually under the supervision of a trained therapist” (Dictionary.com, 2022). Hydrotherapy refers to treatments and exercises that are performed in the water for the purpose of relaxation, fitness, physical rehabilitation, and other therapeutic benefit. Adapted aquatics techniques can also emphasize and build swimming skills, modified to suit the individual’s needs (Teske, 2018).

Hydrotherapy differs from typical swimming lessons, due to being completed in a warm-water pool, warmer than your average swimming pool, as well as being focused on tailoring exercises to your specific goals, rather than learning swim skills, though this can be incorporated. Hydrotherapy assists individuals to restore, extend or maintain function. Individuals who may benefit from hydrotherapy include those with sensory processing difficulties, regulation difficulties, deconditioning, or various diagnosis including developmental delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder and more (Dubois, 2011). Some examples of exercises that may be included in a hydrotherapy session include; walking, running, jumping in water, stretching in water, breathing games, balance and floating tasks, strengthening and general fitness swimming activities, all whilst including social, communication and play skills (The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, 2022). Please note, these activities will be adjusted depending on your individual goals.

Currently, Occupational Therapists are expanding the use of aquatic therapy as a treatment approach to support their clients. Activities in the water can be applied across a vast array of environments, clients, and goals. By using the aquatic environment, Occupational Therapists can focus on sensory processing, sensorimotor performance, social skills, behaviour, self-care, and participation in play (Dubious, 2011). Research shows hydrotherapy has a wide variety of benefits for clients including improving; communication and social skills, confidence and self-esteem/body image, mood/decreased anxiety, modulation of sensory input, behaviour, attention and concentration, spatial awareness, relaxation and regulation, touch tolerance, swim skills and water safety, gross motor skills such as balance, coordination, range of motion, agility, lower and upper body strength, and cardiovascular fitness (Teske, 2018).

Overall, hydrotherapy can assist participants to calm and soothe through providing the sensory input they crave, whilst supporting them to build skills to participate in their daily activities (Teske, 2018; Dubious, 2011).

1. Would you or your child like to increase their gross motor, sensory and social skills through using an aquatic environment? Ask your Occupational Therapist, or Physiotherapist if Hydrotherapy is right for you!
2. Explore aquatic leisure options in your local area.
3. Want your child to learn to swim or increase their safety around the water? Sign your child up for swimming lessons or an aquatic safety program – check out these links to find a program in your area.

In summary, water in all its forms can have huge benefits for participants. Hydrotherapy is much loved by many due to its therapeutic properties and is used to support gross motor, sensory and social skill development. Enjoy exploring the world of hydrotherapy and see how it can work for you!

Alaniz, M.L., Rosenberg, S.S., Beard, N.R. and Rosario, E.R., 2017. The Effectiveness of Aquatic Group Therapy for Improving Water Safety and Social Interactions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Pilot Program. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(12), pp.4006-4017.

Dictionary.com., 2022. LLC.https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hydrotherapy

Teske, A., 2018. Exploring Hydrotherapy With Autism, Honors Research Projects. 692. http://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/692

Dubois, M., 2011. Aquatic Therapy For Children With An Autism Spectrum Disorder: Occupational Therapists’ Perspectives, https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1021&context=ms_occ_therapy

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne., 2022. Hydrotherapy for Children with Neuromuscular Disorders (NMD), https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/neurology/HYDROTHERAPY_FOR_NMD.pdf