Hydrotherapy


Hydrotherapy utilises the buoyancy effect of water to support weight-bearing and make physical movements easier (Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, 2025). Weight bearing, upper and lower limb movements help support an increase in an individual’s strength, balance and flexibility, and are recommended as an effective treatment methodology for cerebral palsy (Novak, et al., 2020). The resistance of the water creates a hydrostatic pressure that provides a deep proprioceptive input which will support emotional regulation, enhancing focus and increasing engagement making it an effective way to complete the required exercises (Teske, 2018).Hydrotherapy can support:
  • Improve muscle tone
  • Increase core strength
  • Enhance circulation
  • Improve cardiovascular function
  • Increase exercise endurance
  • Reduce muscle spasticity
  • Elevate metabolism
  • Reduce sleep disturbances
  • Relieve joint stress
  • Improve muscle tone
  • Increase stability
  • Decrease pain and discomfort


 

  1. Gavett, R.N. and Bynum, C.D., 2020. Hydrotherapy and its effectiveness for patients with neuromuscular diseases. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 20(9), pp.1-9. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-020-1022-z

  2. Royal Children's Hospital, n.d. Hydrotherapy for neuromuscular diseases. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Available at: https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/neurology/HYDROTHERAPY_FOR_NMD.pdf

  3. Teske, A., 2018. Exploring hydrotherapy with autism (Honors Research Project No. 692). The University of Akron. Available at: http://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/692