For ages, water has always been a source of healing and rejuvenation. In the realm of physiotherapy, both aquatic therapy and hydrotherapy utilize water to provide unique rehabilitative experiences. The term hydro comes from the Greek word for water. In Latin, the equivalent term for water is aqua. This can lead us to assume that aquatic therapy and hydrotherapy are interchangeable. While they share some similarities, there is a small difference between the two. To better understand the similarities between aquatic therapy and hydrotherapy, let’s compare the two and figure out which might be the most effective treatment for you.
Hydrotherapy is a type of physiotherapy and a general term that encompasses all therapies that use water. It involves the use of water to provide support, resistance and other effects that otherwise cannot be done on dry land. By leveraging the physical properties of water—such as buoyancy, resistance, and temperature—you can facilitate healing and rehabilitation. Even though hydrotherapy does somewhat resemble swimming, there is a difference. The biggest difference is that the temperature is usually between 82- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit. Which is a lot higher than the temperature that is typically felt in a swimming pool. The other difference is that the treatment usually takes place in a physiotherapy department and is administered by a specially trained physiotherapist. Hydrotherapy can range from completely passive techniques such as floating in water, to more active exercises based on your therapist’s instruction. Aquatic therapy does not include passive treatment and instead only focuses on active exercises. These exercise programs are designed by a physical therapist and performed in a pool to decrease pain and stress on weight-bearing joints. Participants in active aquatic therapy will use their muscles in the water to generate force and reach their goals.
Both aquatic and hydrotherapy can be used to treat a very wide spectrum of conditions over a wide range of patient groups. They can provide a warm, safe, and low-impact exercise environment that offers many benefits over alternative therapies. It can be used to treat a broad range of conditions for various patients, including those requiring arthritis and cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation and children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Both are great treatment options for impairments, such as pain, diminished range of motion, and decreased strength and stiffness. They can enhance a patient’s gait when walking and increase their upper body strength. Both therapies can also show improvement in cardiovascular and respiratory functions and have a positive effect on your overall health, as well as metabolism.
Whether you’re a rehabilitation patient or someone looking for an alternative treatment option, understanding what hydrotherapy does can help you make informed decisions about your treatment options. Both hydrotherapy and aquatic therapy provide numerous benefits, from pain relief and improved mobility to enhanced cardiovascular health.
For more information on the difference between aquatic and hydrotherapy, click here.
Article written by William Graves.