Hydrotherapy in Adelaide
Exercise in a warm pool, led by a physio. The water takes weight off sore joints, so you can move and get stronger before you are ready on land.
- Who it helps
- People with arthritis, after a hip or knee replacement, or with pain that makes exercise on land too hard.
- What happens
- A physio assessment first, then guided exercises in the shallow end. You do not need to swim.
- How long
- Sessions usually run 30 to 45 minutes. Most programs are six to eight sessions.
- Cost
- Health fund claims on HICAPS. NDIS where it is in your plan. The pool may charge entry.
Your visit, step by step
Land assessment first
We check whether water or land suits you better right now. Sometimes land is the faster way.
In the pool
Warm water, a physio beside you, and exercises for movement, strength and balance.
Back on land
The pool is a bridge. As you get stronger, we move your program onto land.
Often helps with
- Arthritis
- After hip or knee replacement
- Back pain
- Long-term pain
- Low fitness after illness
- Balance problems
Tell us before you book if you have an open or infected wound, a heart or breathing condition that is not under control, continence concerns, or a fever on the day.
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Meet the team you will see
Every appointment is with one of our own AHPRA-registered physiotherapists. See their background, the conditions each of them focuses on, and how they approach your assessment and treatment.
Common questions
Do I need to swim?
No. Sessions are in the shallow end with a physio supervising.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, a water bottle, poolside shoes and any medication you need.
How warm is the water?
Usually in the low thirties, much warmer than a lap pool. It is more tiring than people expect.
Where is the pool?
A heated offsite pool near our Seaton clinic. We confirm the pool and its access, such as steps, a ramp or a hoist, before your first session.
Read more about hydrotherapy
What hydrotherapy is
Exercise in warm water, led by a physiotherapist. The water takes some of your body weight and the warmth relaxes guarded muscle, so movements that hurt on land are often possible in the pool.
What to expect
First, a physiotherapy assessment on land. Then sessions in the warm pool, working on:
- Joint movement
- Core strength
- Balance and coordination
- Muscle strength
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- A water bottle
- Poolside shoes
- Any medical records or medication you need
Who hydrotherapy suits — and who it does not
Water takes weight off the joints, so it suits people who need to move but cannot yet tolerate their own body weight doing it. That usually means the early weeks after a hip or knee replacement, arthritic joints that flare when loaded, back pain that eases when you unweight it, and deconditioning after a long illness or a period of bed rest.
It is not the right first choice for everyone. If your problem needs strength built under load — most tendon problems, most return-to-sport work — then land-based rehabilitation will get you there faster, and water can even slow you down by removing the very load the tissue needs. We will tell you if that is your situation.
There are also times it is unsuitable: open or infected wounds, uncontrolled cardiac or respiratory conditions, some continence issues, and a fever on the day. Tell us about any of these before you book and we will find a better option.
How it fits with the rest of your treatment
Hydrotherapy is rarely the whole plan. It is most useful as a bridge: it keeps you moving and building capacity during the phase when land-based work is too painful, and it is phased out as you become able to load normally. Expect to be doing some of both for part of your programme.
If you are unsure whether water or land is right for where you are now, book a standard physiotherapy assessment first. It is a better use of your money than committing to a course of pool sessions you may not need.
Book an appointment
Same-day appointments available. Book online in about a minute, or call. No referral needed.
New patient? Choose Initial Consultation. Your assessment is free, and treatment is $49 when you book your second session, otherwise $98. Offer terms
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