Managing lower back pain
Four million Australians are estimated to be living with lower back pain and understanding how to take care of your pain can sometimes be unclear, but there is support available.
The benefits of hydrotherapy
18 January 2023
Mates4Mates Exercise Physiologists target all aspects of health and wellbeing that are vital for recovery from the impacts of service. This includes a range of group exercise physiology classes, including hydrotherapy.
Hydrotherapy is a low impact, water-based group class often used in various rehabilitation and fitness settings. Hydrotherapy pools tend to be heated which provides additional therapeutic and relaxing benefits to participants.
The benefits of hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy classes can promote physical and mental health in a variety of ways:
- Due to the buoyancy of the pool, exercises can be modified to reduce weight bearing and the effects of gravity to allow participants to strengthen muscles and improve joint range of motion.
- The warm temperature of the water has also been found to improve blood flow and circulation, as well as having a calming effect on participants (1).
- Sleep quality and duration is also reported to benefit from hydrotherapy, which, like blood flow and stress reduction, are essential for the body to adequately recover (2).
Engaging in group classes, like hydrotherapy, can have additional benefits, such as promoting social connection with other veterans, creating opportunities for mateship and peer-support.
Group classes also provide structure and routine to your lifestyle which can help to ensure you’re engaging in regular activity throughout the week.
Veterans who suffer from chronic pain, as well as musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders often benefit from hydrotherapy for both physical and psychological reasons which can contribute to improving overall quality of life.
Participating in a hydrotherapy class
If it’s your first time joining a hydrotherapy class, a typical class will begin with static (fixed) stretches to increase range of motion and reduce feelings of muscle tightness and/or stiffness.
Dynamic (active) stretches are then often performed to warm the muscles up and allow the body to move freely through the water.
The natural resistance of the water and/or equipment may be utilised to perform strengthening, aerobic and balance exercises.
Support at Mates4Mates
At Mates4Mates, hydrotherapy classes are run for 45 minutes to 1 hour by our Exercise Physiologists at a light to moderate intensity.
If you’re a veteran or family member and would like to find out more about Mates4Mates hydrotherapy classes, reach out to us on 1300 4 MATES to speak to an Exercise Physiologist.
A DVA referral from a GP is required for hydrotherapy classes. If you cannot obtain one, please speak to one of our Exercise Physiologists.
Written by Luke Morrison, Mates4Mates Exercise Physiologist
References
1.Sawant, R. S., & Shinde, S. B. (2019). Effect of hydrotherapy based exercises for chronic nonspecific low back pain. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 13(1), 133-8.
2. Warseno, A., & Sukmawati, A. S. (2019). Effect of hydrotherapy on sleep deficiency among older people in integrated community health services in Pandak I Bantul. Frontiers of Nursing, 6(1), 67-70.
