Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is therapeutic exercise performed in warm water to support movement, strength and rehabilitation.

Water reduces joint load, making movement easier and more comfortable.

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Hydrotherapy is often used for joint pain, recovery after injury or surgery, and long-term mobility conditions. Warm water can support relaxation while buoyancy allows safer movement.

What happens in a hydrotherapy session?

You will usually be assessed and guided through a tailored exercise programme in a pool. Sessions may be one-to-one or in small groups.

What can hydrotherapy help with?

Joint pain and stiffness
Rehabilitation following injury or surgery
Mobility and balance confidence

Safety and suitability

Hydrotherapy may not be suitable for certain medical conditions such as open wounds or uncontrolled cardiac issues. Screening and professional supervision are essential.

History of Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy has long been used in rehabilitation and wellbeing. Modern practice is closely linked to physiotherapy and rehabilitation science.

Typical conditions that use Hydrotherapy

Condition	Evidence	Notes
Balance issues support	moderate	Exercising in warm water lets you challenge your balance with the buoyancy reducing fall risk, building confidence in your movement.
Bunions	moderate	Warm-water exercise lets you mobilise and strengthen the foot with reduced weight-bearing pain on the affected toe joint.
Chronic pain	moderate	Warm-water exercise that supports movement when pain limits land-based activity.
Foot pain	moderate	Warm-water hydrotherapy lets you move and load the foot with reduced weight, easing pain while you rebuild strength and confidence in walking.
Hip pain	moderate	Warm-water exercise offloads the hip joint, letting people build strength and mobility with less pain than weight-bearing activity.
Joint pain	moderate	Warm-water hydrotherapy lets you exercise painful joints with reduced weight-bearing, easing stiffness and improving movement comfortably.
Knee pain	moderate	Exercising in warm water reduces load through a painful knee, making it easier to move and strengthen muscles while the buoyancy eases joint stress.
Limited mobility support	moderate	Exercising in warm water reduces weight-bearing load on stiff or painful joints, letting people move further and rebuild strength gently.
Long-term condition coping	moderate	Warm-water exercise can ease pain and stiffness, helping people stay active and maintain function despite a long-term condition.
Lymphoedema (lymphedema)	moderate	Warm-water exercise lets you move the affected limb with support from the water, helping lymph flow and easing stiffness in lymphoedema.
Multiple sclerosis support (adjunct)	moderate	Warm-water exercise eases movement for people with MS, supporting strength and mobility while reducing strain and overheating.
Muscle cramps	moderate	Warm-water exercise and contrast bathing relax cramp-prone muscles, ease residual soreness and support gentle movement without strain.
Osteoarthritis support	moderate	Warm-water exercise lets people move arthritic joints with less weight-bearing strain, supporting strength, range of motion and pain relief.
Parkinson’s support (adjunct)	moderate	Hydrotherapy uses warm water to support balance and movement in Parkinson's, easing weight on joints while building confidence; evidence remains limited.
PCOS support (adjunct)	moderate	Hydrotherapy may provide gentle, supportive exercise for women with PCOS, but evidence is limited and it is not a substitute for medical care.
Peripheral neuropathy support (adjunct)	moderate	Warm-water exercise eases weight off painful feet and limbs, supporting gentle movement, balance and strength when walking is difficult.
Plantar heel pain (plantar fasciitis)	moderate	Hydrotherapy lets you load the foot and exercise the calf in reduced-weight water, easing painful early-stage plantar fasciitis rehab.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI)	moderate	Lets you exercise and mobilise sore, strained limbs in warm water with reduced load, easing RSI pain while rebuilding strength and movement.
Rheumatoid arthritis support (adjunct)	moderate	Warm-water exercise eases weight off painful joints, allowing gentler movement and improved range of motion when RA stiffness limits land-based activity.
Sciatica	moderate	Hydrotherapy lets you exercise with reduced spinal loading in warm water, easing sciatic pain while you rebuild strength gently.
Sedentary lifestyle support	moderate	Warm-water exercise lets you build fitness with reduced joint strain, a gentle entry point when starting from inactivity.
Stroke recovery support (adjunct)	moderate	Hydrotherapy uses water's support to ease weight-bearing, so survivors can practise movement and balance with reduced fall risk.
Swelling (oedema)	moderate	Exercising in warm water uses hydrostatic pressure to support circulation and help shift fluid from swollen areas while easing joint strain.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be a confident swimmer?

No. Exercises are performed in shallow areas with supervision and adaptations for confidence.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel and any aids recommended. Pool hygiene guidance will be provided.

Who should avoid hydrotherapy?

People with open wounds, contagious illness or certain cardiac/respiratory issues—seek clinical advice.