Health benefits of swimming and aquatic therapy
Australia is surrounded by water and the Sydney region has some of the best beaches in the country, so it should come as no surprise that swimming is one of our favourite pastimes.
As well as being fun, swimming and aquatic therapy is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and recover from a range of injuries without putting too much stress on the body.
Because the water supports a large percentage of your bodyweight, swimming and hydrotherapy are considered low-impact exercises. It’s because of this that the water is often used in injury rehabilitation of weightbearing joints such as the back, hips and knees.
What are the benefits of swimming and exercising in water?
Swimming and aquatic therapy are often prescribed by physiotherapists and health professionals as part of a well-rounded rehabilitation program.
Swimming is an efficient way to burn calories and has been linked to a decrease in early death due to cardiovascular disease.
Swimming is truly a whole body workout and the various strokes focus on different muscle groups, adding variety to your swimming workout, including:
- butterfly
- breaststroke
- backstroke
- sidestroke
- freestyle
Swimming for fitness:
- Works to tone muscles
- Increases your heart rate without the same stress on your body
- Builds muscle strength
Water’s natural buoyancy supports injured muscles and joints, allowing you to perform movements often not possible on land.
When you are immersed to waist-depth, about 50% of your body weight is being supported by the water, at chest height this becomes 75% and when in neck deep water 90% of your entire body weight is being supported.
Where is the best Hydrotherapy pool in Sydney?
Lane Cove Physio’s hydrotherapy pool offers patients a unique opportunity to attend Aquatic Physiotherapy in a low risk, pain relieving environment on the Lower North Shore. The water in the pool is warm and heated to a comfortable and functional 34°C and perfect for any time of year.
Our hydrotherapy pool is located in our physiotherapy centre on the corner of Longueville Road and River Road West, 237 Longueville Road. There is easy off street parking and a council car park opposite the centre on Longueville Road. Less able patients are able to use the driveway at the Centre.
We have physical therapists trained in movement analysis that can help you modify an activity so that you are comfortable and also prevent injuries. As part of your program, your physio will ask about prior injuries and assess your movement patterns in order to screen for injury. Your Lane Cove physio can also suggest the most appropriate style of swimming for you and may provide exercises to address any impairment.
Is hydrotherapy safe during pregnancy?
The natural properties of our hydrotherapy pool, including buoyancy, warmth and resistance create an excellent environment for pregnant women to exercise and stretch.
Keep in mind that while swimming is generally considered safe during pregnancy, some women may have activity restrictions due to complications in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise programs during pregnancy, and if you have complications, ask about activities that are safe.
Can I do hydrotherapy if I can’t swim?
For Lane Cove’s water exercise classes, you do not have to be able to swim to join in. You will not need to put your head underwater but you should feel confident to let go of the pool edge and walk around in the pool on your own. If you need assistance with this, one-on-one sessions with a physiotherapist in a hydrotherapy pool may be more suitable for you until you gain more confidence in the water.
The pool has a shallow end starting at 1m with a gradual increase in depth to 1.3m. It also has a smaller deep section of 1.6m. There are grab hand rails along the sides of the pool.
If you have an injury or are worried about a potential injury prior to beginning to swim, we can help you here at Lane Cove Physiotherapy.
For more information about Hydrotherapy in Sydney, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff at Lane Cove physio on 02 9428 5772 or come on down and check it out for yourself.
