Aquatic physiotherapy

Aquatic Physiotherapy provides a great opportunity to comfortably exercise in water.

We are fortunate to utilise the pool at our Next Gen site in North Adelaide. As a form of rehabilitation, sometimes also referred to as Hydrotherapy, the properties of water can aid joint range of motion, normalise movement, strengthen muscles, ease aches and pains and improve balance by the effects of:

• Buoyancy - Water supports the body and reduces weightbearing through joints. This can assist in managing pain, regaining mobility and performing activities that may not be achievable out of the pool. Floats and pool noodles can further utilise the effect of buoyancy in performing exercises. Our pool at Next Gen is a uniform depth of 1.2m, with most people standing chest deep in the water. This equates to you supporting approximately 30% of your body weight. Use of a portable step in the pool is a way we can increase your level of weightbearing to progress your program.

• Resistance - The resistance of the water, speed of movement and use of equipment such as paddles, floats, kickboards and pool noodles can increase water turbulence and the effort required by muscles to improve strength, endurance, coordination and balance.

• Turbulence - to challenge balance and stability.

Aquatic physiotherapy can assist with:

• Post-operative rehabilitation for a variety of Orthopaedic and spinal surgeries.
• Post injury rehabilitation.
• Osteoarthritis management, including as a pool-based GLA:D program for hip and/or knee osteoarthritis if a joint is too sore to do a land-based program.
• Confidence of movement in a reduced load environment, particularly when exercising on land can be problematic.
• Gait re-education, including transitioning off a walking aid post surgery or injury or surgery.
• Improving strength, flexibility and conditioning.
• Improving joint range of motion.
• Improving fitness and endurance.
• Postural and balance retraining.
• Management of multiple joint issues.
• Management of neurological conditions.
• Muscle relaxation and reduced guarding.
• Antenatal exercise.

What to expect

• An initial 40-minute land-based assessment with your treating who will discuss and set goals with you for your pool-based program. This assessment can conveniently be completed at any of our three clinics.
• Two individual 30-minute pool sessions with one of our Aquatic Physiotherapists to establish a program that targets your needs and ensures safe and effective exercise technique and understanding. Additional 1:1 sessions may be deemed useful in discussion with your Aquatic Physiotherapist.
• Progression to 30 minute small group pool classes supervised by an Aquatic Physiotherapist, with a maximum of six participants.
  
  

Individual and group sessions may be claimable as physiotherapy extras through your private health fund. Please check with your fund to confirm.

All Aquatic Physiotherapy sessions are run at our Next Gen clinic and utilise the Next Gen gymnasium pool. The pool is heated, easily accessed via stairs and is a consistent 1.2m depth.