Hydrotherapy at Spire St Anthony's Hospital

• Enhanced recovery after surgery
• Functional rehabilitation when weight bearing is difficult or not possible
• Walking problems (gait retraining)
• Muscle tightness
• Back pain.

The sessions are led by our experienced and fully qualified physiotherapists, who have undergone specialist training in hydrotherapy.

The buoyancy of water provides an excellent way to increase patient confidence and motivation before starting dry land exercise. Due to the reduced gravity environment there is less stress on joints, allowing more effective exercising. Aquatic physiotherapy can help relieve pain, promote relaxation, mobilise joints, strengthen muscles, develop balance and co-ordination and improve general fitness.

Why consider hydrotherapy?

Using properties of the water such as the temperature, hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy and resistance, can all help in the treatment of the following:

• Improves circulation and cardiovascular strength
• Improves balance and co-ordination
• Improves range of joints
• Reduces swelling
• Reduces pain and muscle spasm
• Reduces body weight therefore offloads joints and soft tissues whilst they are healing
• Is effective for strengthening muscles
• Is a safe environment for improving balance and co-ordination for individuals

Who benefits from hydrotherapy?

• Individuals who want to accelerate their rehabilitation post injury or surgery
• Individuals who find it difficult to exercise or manage their condition on land
• Individuals who would benefit from reduced pain achieved by the effects on the nervous system from being immersed in warm water

Many musculoskeletal conditions benefit from hydrotherapy including, but not limited to those with:

• Rheumatological conditions
• Impaired balance disorders
• Acute or chronic back pain
• Chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, CRPS

Self-management hydrotherapy sessions 

Following a course of hydrotherapy treatment, clients are able to continue using the hydrotherapy pool for maintenance/improvements during self-management sessions. This is suitable for those who are independent with the exercise programme in the pool. We have our physiotherapy assistant available poolside to help when required.

Aqua classes

We also two different group lead exercises classes in the hydrotherapy pool. These are for 30 minutes. If an individual is new to the department, they will require a 30 minute assessment with an outpatient physiotherapist or a physical therapist assistant.

Aqua Fit 

• A high intensity class which is suitable for anybody who wants to maintain or improve their cardiovascular fitness and strength. This includes plyometric based exercises (jumping)

Aqua Strength and Balance

• A circuit based, lower intensity class aimed at those who wish to improve their muscular strength, balance, general fitness and wellbeing

We run the following hydrotherapy classes:

• Aqua strength and balance – a lower intensity class aimed at those who wish to improve their muscle strength, balance, general fitness and wellbeing
• Aqua hip to toe – a class aimed at restoring strength to the hips, knees and ankles following an injury or surgery to any of these joints
• Aqua Fit – a high intensity class suitable for anyone who wants to maintain or improve their cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength

Class times are as follows:

Aqua strength and balance: Wednesday 10.15am - 10.45am (please arrive at 10am)

Aqua hip to toe: Tuesday 1.15pm - 1.45pm (please arrive at 1pm)

Aqua fit - Wednesday 8.15am - 8.45am (please arrive at 8am)

Prices:

• Initial assessment: £20 (an initial assessment must be attended prior to commencing aqua classes to assess for suitability and ensure you are safe to exercise in the hydrotherapy pool)
• Class prices: £16 per class for a 30 minute class
• Package of six classes: £86
• Package of 12 classes: £163

To book a class, or for more information, please call 020 8335 4646

All pre-screening sessions and classes must be booked as there is a maximum of five spaces per class. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early so that you are changed and in the pool ready to start the class on time.

Patients receive a full land-based assessment from a physiotherapist before commencing treatment in the hydrotherapy pool. This is a 45 minute assessment

Hydrotherapy treatments are 30 minutes one on one with a qualified Aquatic Physiotherapist.