Inability to move independently can lead to strength and muscle loss in children and adults who participate in hydrotherapy. They can stand upright and walk independently during therapy sessions due to the weightlessness of the water. The benefits of this include freedom of movement and a variety of health benefits. The key is to understand how and why.
In What Ways Does It Work?
Hydrotherapy uses water to treat conditions such as cerebral palsy (CP), arthritis, and rheumatism. The use of water for therapy dates back to the ancient Greeks, and it is an integral part of many traditional medicine practices.
How Does It Differ From Regular Swimming?
Hydrotherapy uses hot or cold water to carry what is felt by the skin deeper into the body through the nerves (source). Warm-water pools have a temperature of 33 to 36 degrees Celsius, much warmer than the temperature of a typical swimming pool. In addition to relaxing muscles, hot water can treat arthritis, rheumatism, poor blood circulation, and sore muscles. Body activity is stimulated and energized by cold water.
Secondly, it involves individualized exercises based on each patient’s symptoms. There are a variety of exercises included in the program, such as relaxing exercises, gentle stretching, strengthening exercises against water resistance, flotation exercises, and movement exercises.
A hydro therapy specialist for kids often provides hydrotherapy treatments within a hospital’s physiotherapy department. Support and training ensure that each individual’s needs are met.
See our Hope AMC Clinic in Dubai provides the best hydrotherapy for kids in Dubai in a world-class medical facility through specialized hydrotherapists.
What Are The Benefits?
Hydrotherapy is not only relaxing, but it can also be fun, especially for children. Furthermore, it strengthens, moves, and balances weak muscle groups. In addition to improving fitness, this also improves mobility in general.
It also improves posture, relieves pain, and reduces muscle tension. As a result of the weightlessness felt in the water, tension in the limbs is relieved, and aching muscles are supported and eased. The release of endorphins during hydrotherapy helps to relieve tension and control pain in many ways by acting as a natural pain reliever.
Stress can cause high blood pressure, which can be reduced by slow movements and relaxing exercises. As a result, muscle spasms are reduced, thus allowing for even greater relaxation.
Besides improving coordination and balance, it increases metabolic rate and digestion activity, as well as decreasing swelling and pain.
What Does Hydrotherapy Involve?
Initially, the physiotherapist will assess your child on dry land to determine what the root causes of his or her problems are. You will then be informed about the treatment to evaluate the safety and suitability of the pool for your child.
Children can receive a variety of treatments depending on their conditions and symptoms. The following are some treatments and exercises:
- Proprioceptive exercise
- Balance exercise
- Soft tissue treatment
- Movement exercise
- Core stability exercise
- Strengthening exercise
- Relaxation exercise
- Sports injury rehabilitation
- Mobility rehabilitation
- Stretching Programs
A few other things you need to keep in mind. A medical practitioner should be consulted before you begin hydrotherapy. The physiotherapist should be informed of your child’s medical conditions and concerns because any condition could affect your child’s pool safety or exercise type.
If a child is allergic to chlorine or has epilepsy, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, hydrotherapy can affect their abilities.
Ensure that your child has access to an accessible pool for hydrotherapy. A hoist or water wheelchair might be needed if your child uses a wheelchair. In addition, children with mobility restrictions may need a ramp with handrails to enter the pool. You should also adjust the water level according to your child’s age; he should be able to access it more easily.
Final Thoughts
Despite the fact that children love bath time – the bubbles, the running water – if their disability prevents them from feeling these sensations, hydrotherapy is their best option for improvement. To make the most of hydrotherapy, consult a therapist before taking it.
The benefits of hydrotherapy for your children’s physical and mental health are now clear to you.
At Hope AMC in Dubai, our hydrotherapy physiotherapists help patients with discomfort exercise in a safe, self-regulated, and temperature-controlled setting. By modifying tone and joint range of motion before treatment on dry ground, swimming consistently benefits our patients.
We offer physio hydrotherapy services to children and young adults in our state-of-the-art facility.
Book your appointment Today for consultation!
