The warmer days are slowly declining, which means we can’t rely on our beautiful outdoors and gardens to get out and about for our daily movement. At Karingal Green however, this isn’t a problem. Our hydrotherapy pool offers the perfect venue to keep exercising in comfort. Located in our Wellness Centre, this part of our home is very popular with many of our residents and members of the community alike, creating the ideal place to wind down, relax and get some exercise, while also improving their physical and mental health.
Hydrotherapy uses heated water as a way of helping improve the function of both muscle and joints as well as relieving pain through movement in the water. It’s a kinder form of rehab which is soothing and more enjoyable than physio options. Water in our pool is heated to a glorious 28 to 32 degrees and used in these sessions to soothe muscular and joint aches while increasing blood circulation and improving muscle tightness. Medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, arthritis and back pain are just a few of the many conditions which hydrotherapy can treat effectively.
Offering weekly group sessions and one-on-one classes with our physiotherapists, read how this type of exercise can benefit your health – and who knows, you might be signing up for a class by the time you finish reading!
Rehabilitation of injured muscles
As you enter the warm water, your muscles immediately become relaxed and pain is eased in your joints. When you come into contact with the water, your body temperature rises which increases blood flow and improves circulation.
Low impact exercise
The exercises performed in the water are all low impact, which means many people are suited to enjoy this form of exercise, including the elderly. Even those with reduced mobility find a special kind of freedom once they’re in the warm water. The pool reduces stress and pressure on joints, which in turn limits the pain, after a hydrotherapy session. Weightless exercises, like water jogging, arm raises, and side stepping are carried out as low impact sessions, to get the heart pumping and blood flowing throughout the body.
Reduces stress and pain
As you perform movements in the water, under the supervision of one of our Karingal Green physiotherapists, you will be helped through every step and movement to make sure you maintain the correct posture to reap the benefits. They’ll work with you to help your strength, flexibility, and balance training in a safe environment. Increased endorphins are a great by-product of this type of activity, and once released, they reduce the perception of pain, anxiety, and stress.
Improves strength and fitness
Performing exercises in the water provides resistance as your body moves in this weightless environment, building muscle while also improving cardiovascular fitness. It strengthens all muscles and throughout each session, the intensity builds up which is beneficial to your health and fitness. Moving through the water to create resistance or adding floatation devices in the water can help create additional resistance.
Some reminders before your first hydrotherapy session:
- Knowing how to swim is not essential to participate, as you will be guided by a trained staff member.
- Make sure your doctor has given you the green light to participate, prior to your hydrotherapy session. They will advise if any extra safety precautions are required and confirm if aquatic exercise is safe for you.
- Signs of pain can be absent when performing exercises in the pool, so make sure you aren’t over doing any exercises. Ask for advice from the Karingal Green team during your session if you are unsure.
Our hydrotherapy classes are available every day. Call or email to book your class today.
To find out more about our hydrotherapy pool, visit the link below; https://www.karingalgreen.com.au/the-experience/wellness-centre-hydro-pool/