Hydrotherapy - Paediatric Physiotherapy

What is hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy involves carrying out exercises and specific physiotherapy techniques in warm water. Manchester Neuro Physio have access to a specialised hydrotherapy pools that are perfect for children.

Hydrotherapy is a popular choice for the treatment of children with neurological or orthopaedic conditions. Hydrotherapy is also used to treat children following surgery.

At Manchester Neuro Physio we provide hydrotherapy to meet your child’s needs. Our specialist paediatric physiotherapists will discuss goals for your child to create the most effective hydrotherapy programme. We strive to enhance your child’s function and improve their quality of life.

What are the benefits of hydrotherapy?

There are a number of advantages that hydrotherapy has over more traditional treatment, these include:

Children enjoy being in water and find treatment sessions to be fun, this increases their compliance with exercise
The water has a buoyancy effect meaning more exercises can be performed than on land, it also enables resistance to be added were appropriate.
The warm temperature relaxes muscles, reduces any muscle spasm, and increases movement at the joints

Using hydrotherapy as part of your child’s physiotherapy treatment can lead to many benefits such as:

Promotion of normal development
Promoting physical milestones
Normalising tone
Increase freedom to move
Providing a relaxation experience
Promote weight-bearing post lower limb surgery
Reduced pain
Faster recovery from surgery
Re-educating normal movement
Improving walking
Improved fitness levels
Improved balance and coordination
Increased strength of weak muscles
Increased range of movement of joints
Improved independence and function
Improved circulation
Mobilising and lengthening muscles
Improve self-confidence
A relaxing and calming experience

What children will benefit from hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy can be beneficial in a number of paediatric conditions (conditions which affect children), including:

Cerebral palsy,
Spina bifida,
Orthopaedic problems
Muscular dystrophy,
Autism,
Learning Difficulties
Any physical disability
Down’s syndrome
Following surgery

What hydrotherapy may involve

Hydrotherapy creates an enjoyable experience. It enables children to move in way only possible in a hydrotherapy pool.

Small floating objects such as small sensory toys may be used within sessions to catch the attention of the child and develop important skills such as reach and grasp / head control. Flotation devices are often used to support you child.

Our paediatric physiotherapists will work alongside parent and carers to create the best possible treatment experience for the child. Parents are encouraged to get involved, and engage with their child using specific positions and handling techniques.

Our hydrotherapy facilities

Our hydrotherapy services are based at a specialist centres in South Manchester. The centres offer the following facilities:

The pool temperature is maintained between 33–37°C.
One-to-one treatment with one of physiotherapists
Wheelchair access into the pool
Tracking hoist access into the pool
Shower beds provided for transfers
A rail around the pool for extra support
A large changing facility at the side of the pool
A state of the art ‘Swim-ex’ flume pool for deep water walking and running
Free car parking

The physiotherapists at Manchester Physio also use hydrotherapy to treat, many other conditions. To find out if hydrotherapy would be a suitable treatment for you please call 0161 883 0066.

Why Manchester Neuro Physio?

Manchester Neuro Physio provide an effective hydrotherapy service. Reasons to choose Manchester Neuro Physio include:

No waiting lists,
Flexible treatment times including evenings and weekends
Experienced team of physiotherapists used to working with children with many conditions.
Registered with all insurance companies
Integrated treatment approach enables skills learnt in the pool to be transferred to land based situations

Our paediatric physiotherapists will engage with the child making their hydrotherapy sessions as enjoyable as possible. They will also make hydrotherapy rewarding for the child through improvements in functional movement and / or quality of life.

To arrange a hydrotherapy appointment please call 0161 883 0066 or arrange a