Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the therapeutic use of water in the treatment of conditions associated with the foot and lower limb.

What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy is a form of treatment used to aid healing, provide pain relief and improve function following injury or disease affecting the foot and lower limb. The process itself involves submerging a particular part of the body or the whole body in water. Treatment can take place in heated pools, using equipment to gain the most out of each rehabilitation session.

What podiatry-related conditions can hydrotherapy help with?

Hydrotherapy can be used in the treatment of the following conditions;

Arthritis
Ankle sprains
Injuries to the knee
Shin splints
Complex trauma to the lower limb
Problems with gait (walking)

How does hydrotherapy work?

Hydrotherapy works as an effective tool in the treatment of certain conditions due to its thermal and mechanical properties. The body reacts to different temperatures, pressures and sensations. The following properties of the water used in hydrotherapy are what produce its therapeutic effects;

Buoyance - this provides relief from the effects of gravity meaning less effort is required to support the body than is normally required out of water. The buoyance of water can also help to improve balance by challenging stability and produce a massage like effect due to its turbulence

Temperature - sensors on the surface of the skin are connected to nerves which transmit messages to the brain about the external temperature. This has an effect on different systems within the body, including the immune system which release hormones that reduce sensitivity to pain and improve circulation. The warm temperature of a hydro-pool can further work to improve circulation by causing the dilation of blood vessels.