Reasons to Use Hydrotherapy to Treat Your Condition

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis fifteen years ago, and I have had several flare-ups flanked by periods of remission during that time. I'm pleased to say a number of new drug treatments have become available since I was diagnosed, but I've always been keen to explore alternative treatments, such as hydrotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy and massage, as a way of complementing my medical treatment. I started this blog to document the alternative treatments I've tried and share information about current research into drug-free treatments for managing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. If you've tried an alternative treatment that's eased your symptoms, I'd love to share your experiences on the blog.

Reasons to Use Hydrotherapy to Treat Your Condition

13 September 2021
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog


When you're suffering due to chronic pain, an injury or post-surgical recovery, every movement can leave you feeling stressed. However, you may still feel as though you want to engage in physio sessions so you can promote your recovery. If you've yet to try hydrotherapy, here are some reasons to use it.

Warm Water Relaxes Muscles

Hydrotherapy usually involves engaging in gentle exercises inside a warm pool. The pool is typically warmer than a standard swimming pool and so it relaxes your muscles. When your muscles don't feel as tight, you'll experience pain relief. Additionally, relaxed muscles are easy to move, which makes it easier for you to mobilise your joints.

Taking Weight Away From Your Joints

The buoyancy of water lessens the amount of weight your joints need to support. When you're not in a wet environment, gravity places a significant amount of strain on your joints. Following surgeries such as knee and hip replacements, this can be especially painful. However, in order to successfully recover from those surgeries, you need to keep your joints moving. With less weight pressing down on your joints, you can move them easily and promote a faster recovery.

Improving Your Muscle Strength

While water eases some of the strains on your muscles and joints, it also offers resistance. Unlike when you move your arms and legs through the air, moving them through water means you need to work quite hard. As you spend more time moving your muscles against resistance, you build up their strength. By regularly engaging with your physiotherapist in hydrotherapy sessions, you can strengthen your muscles and make it easier to use them out of the water.

Boosting Your Mood

Your physiotherapist may recommend that you try swimming as well as hydrotherapy. When you can exercise regularly, you'll experience a natural injection of serotonin and dopamine. Both neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating your mood. Many people also find that water naturally relaxes them. Swimming in a public environment will give you a chance to socialise too.

Enhancing Your Confidence

When you find that physio is too difficult on dry land, being able to engage with it in the water can boost your confidence. After a few sessions, you may find that you can head to the pool and exercise without any assistance. By gaining this independence, you'll find it easier to take charge of your recovery and guide yourself on the path to greater wellness.