Aquatic therapy involves utilising properties of warm water to facilitate movement to work towards a therapeutic goal.

The increased buoyancy (opposite to gravity) allows for more exercise than is permitted on the land. Increased water temperature and hydrostatic pressure promote increases in circulation and flexibility and decreases in swelling. Hydrostatic pressure supports and stabilises the body, which affects heart and lung function. Increasing speed turbulence and active surface area can all be used to increase exercise difficulty. Improvement of patient morale is another benefit of aquatic therapy. Confidence can be established by providing a positive medium in which to function.

Benefits of hydrotherapy treatments can include:

• Pain relief
• Reduce swelling
• Relief from stiffness & muscle spasms
• Improve, maintain & restore joint range
• Improve flexibility
• Improve, maintain & restore muscle strength
• Strengthen core stability & posture
• Reduce pressure on load bearing joints
• Encourage & promote relaxation
• Boost the effectiveness of the immune system
• Improve the function of the internal organs
• Improve endurance
• Improve mobility, boost confidence and reduce fear of falls
• Aid in quicker rehabilitation 
• Social aspect
• Improved circulation
• Help maintain skills being lost on land
• Enable new skills to be learnt in an unencumbered environment.

Treatment is based on symptoms and level of impairment. It can vary from: 

Stretch program

Relaxation program

Strengthening exercises

Core stability work

Balance exercises

Play based therapy

Endurance workout with plyometric training

Aqua exercises

Functional based rehab

To more specialist programs such as:
Bad Ragaz Ring Method

Halliwick method

Water specific therapy

Watsu

Aichi

Burdenko method