Health Promotion
There are many campaigns in the public eye all with the same objectives to keep the population injury free and encouraging people to take a greater personal responsibility for their health with taking regular exercise to prevent diseases.
This section will look at the benefits of general exercise and balance re-education to prevent falls and the benefits of using the Hydrotherapy Pool for improving these.
For the management of more long term conditions like the self management of arthritis please look under the long term conditions section.
Exercise helps your heart and lungs to work efficiently, maintain a healthy weight and keep your muscles and bones strong. Here are a few of the things regular physical activity can do for you:
- Help control high blood pressure and diabetes
- Slow down the loss of bone density that can lead to fractures
- Reduce your risk of a serious fall by improving balance, muscle strength, co-ordination, posture and flexibility
- Reduce stress, helping you relax and sleep well
- Help control weight management
- Help you maintain mobility and independence
- Socialisation
If a gym is not for you why not enquire about an assessment and program of exercises to perform in the warmth and support of the Hydrotherapy pool?
Benefits of Hydrotherapy as an environment for maintaining general fitness
- Warm water helps reduce the pain in any joints
- The properties of the water increase the circulation to your muscles, joints and skin.
- If you have any form of joint restrictions the water can help you move the joint. But equally if you have good movement the water can provide an excellent resistance.
- The warm water and the pressure of the water causes the heart and lungs to work harder and therefore increase your cardio=vascular fitness.
- If you have a weight problem and as a result when you exercise your joints are sore - exercises in water where the load is reduced
- Provides Relaxation
- Social and recreational at the same time
All under the supervision and guidance of a fully qualified experienced senior Physiotherapist. After the initial assessment we may need to seek clearance with your GP before exercising as not everyone's medical history makes them suitable for exercising in a warm pool.
For more information on the importance of exercise for health, please visit the following website to see the focused campaigns:
www.csp.org.uk - The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - move for Health campaign
www.nhs.uk/Change4Life - Department of Health's Changes4Life Campaign in England & Wales
www.wales.gov.uk - Health Challenge Wales Campaign
www.takelifeon.co.uk - Scotland's take Life on Campaign
www.getalifegetactive.com - Public Health Agency's physical activity Campaign in Northern Ireland.
Testimonial of a patient who utilises the Hydrotherapy Pool to exercise after multiple surgeries
"I have been attending hydrotherapy since my knee replacement, an operation that went very well. I also have two hip replacements, the first of which resulted in a muscle becoming detached, thus causing me to limp (gluteus medius)
I have had a lot of physiotherapy, both on land and in water after my operations, which have got me back on my feet.
Working in warm water not only supports the body - oh the joy of walking without a limp - but allows you to work against the water to gain additional strength. Our physio, Tamsyn Burchell, works with you to find a range of exercises to suit you, which are checked, developed and strengthened.
Tamsyn and her assistant Moira help and devise new exercises. They have created a friendly helpful atmosphere which is a pleasure to work in, and it is very easy to discuss with them any problems which have arisen, and they will help and advise. With my multiple problems, it has been an enormously supportive service.
I feel I have gained strength in my body, hold myself better and have achieved everyday living without walking sticks - when I was told in 1992 that I would never walk without a stick!"
Testimonials
Hydrotherapy played an important and hugely positive role in my recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Working in the pool allowed me to exercise soon after surgery, building confidence and speeding my recovery. This combined with the fantastic support and guidance made a big difference - I'd highly recommend it."
"I have been attending hydrotherapy sessions for the past two months due to knee immobility and complications following surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The intensive program of hydrotherapy I have received from Tamsyn has been excellent. The exercises given have been totally focused on my particular problem and both Tamsyn's professional knowledge and support have been invaluable.
My condition always feels much improved after each session and would highly recommend hydrotherapy to those in need."
The physio instructors are always very clear and helpful and the low patient / physio ratio ensures that I am working correctly at all times.
It has been so helpful to me that I intend to continue the sessions for sometime yet.
Claire Brosnan-Forrest
What does it treat?
• Arthritis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Post fracture
• Post orthopaedic surgery
• Sports injuries
• Lower back pain
• General decreased fitness
Click to see the conditions we treat
