Aquatic Physiotherapy is an evidence-based specialist treatment that utilises the unique properties of water to rehabilitate patients with wide ranging conditions.
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Aquatic physiotherapy (hydrotherapy pool)
Also known as: Aquatic Therapy, Water Physiotherapy
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What is it for?
Rehabilitation, to help you get back to the life you love quicker
Tailored holistic healthcareÂ
At The London Clinic, you are at the heart of everything we do. Our philosophy of patient-centred care ensures that every aspect of your aquatic therapy experience is tailored to your requirements. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a painful condition, or simply want to improve your overall well-being, our therapists are committed to providing expert care that aligns with your goals.
With our hydrotherapy pool in the heart of the Harley Street medical district in London, as well as access to expert physiotherapists, we are here to guide you towards recovery.
About aquatic therapy
Aquatic therapy takes place in our hydrotherapy pool, which is specifically designed with recovery in mind. The properties of water temperature, pressure and buoyancy has shown to improve circulation, reduce weight-bearing stresses and reduce pain.
Whether you are seeking rehabilitation post-surgery, have a condition such as joint pain, or want to embrace the holistic healing properties of hydrotherapy, our expert therapists will guide and teach you personalised exercises.
Aquatic therapy as a treatment
Not only does the hydrotherapy pool provide a genuine wellbeing improvement, it can also be used effectively for:
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Improvement of balance, strength and joint range of movement
- Maintenance of condition through oncology treatment
- Relief of pain and muscle spasm and relaxation / stimulation of circulation
- High level training load management (on / off season)
Your journey to better health
Before starting aquatic therapy, you will have a comprehensive assessment through our expert physiotherapists to assess your needs and goals. If you are an existing patient, our consultants may recommend aquatic therapy as the best course of action for your recovery.
Working with you and for you, an individualised exercise programme will be created. Our friendly and highly experienced team are dedicated to guiding you on your journey back to full health. All have completed post-graduate training in aquatic therapy, and are passionate about tailoring each session to your unique needs.
During your first session, your physiotherapist will stay with you to explain the exercises. You may then carry on independently with our team on hand, or have guided sessions, depending on your requirements.
Each session lasts 30 minutes, and there are changing and showering facilities available onsite. For accessibility purposes, we have a hoist which can be made available for you. We offer flexible appointment options, as well as self-pay packages and in-house referrals as part of your treatment.
Conditions we can help with
Aquatic therapy can help with many conditions, including but not limited to:
- Surgical prehabilitation / rehabilitation e.g. Orthopaedic conditions such as joint replacements or shoulder surgery
- Acute or chronic pain e.g. back / neck pain and Osteoarthritis
- Oncology- induced deconditioning and general immobility, muscle weakness and reduced balance
- Hypermobility syndrome
- Chronic inflammatory conditions e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis
If you have any questions as to whether this treatment is right for you, please get in touch to discuss.
FAQs
Due to our pool evacuation policy, there is a 120kg weight limitation on using the pool.
There are some medical conditions that contraindicate exercising in the pool. Your physiotherapist will check and discuss these with you on assessment
If this treatment isn’t the right one for you, please get in touch with our physio team to discuss how we can help.
This varies depending on your needs and goals. Through our tailored treatment plans, our physiotherapists can discuss timings with you.
Depending on what type of surgery you have – we may recommend 1- 3 sessions per week for up to 6 weeks.
If you are using the pool for relaxation or wellbeing recovery, you may see results after the first session.
No, it is not painful – and quite the opposite!
We keep our hydrotherapy pool at a comfortable and warm temperature to ensure you get the benefits of aquatic therapy, such as relaxation, improved circulation, reduce weight-bearing stresses and also reduce pain.
Yes, absolutely. We have low steps with rails and a poolside hoist is available.Our friendly team are on hand to discuss any other needs or requirements to ensure you get the most from your session, including but not limited to, access to other languages, step-free access to the building and printed copies of your exercises.
Our hydrotherapy pool is open:Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 4:30With drop in sessions taking place: Mon 12:30 -13:30Note the pool is closed on weekends and bank holidays, as well as during the festive holidays in late December, for annual maintenance. Please contact the aquatic therapy team if you have any questions.
There are no side effects associated with aquatic therapy, especially when using the pool under our expert instructions. However, you may find that you get thirsty during your session, so it is important to stay hydrated throughout.You may experience a general ache and tiredness after your session, similarly with any rehabilitation, but this will ease on its own. Our physiotherapists are here to help if you have any worries before, during or after your sessions.
Once you have undertaken a comprehensive assessment with our team, we will provide a programme which is specific to you. Once you feel comfortable in using the hydrotherapy pool, you can also have drop-in sessions at your convenience.
During physio-led sessions, our colleagues will stay with you for the full session and guide you each step of the way. Depending on your needs and goals, each session will look different for every person; if recovering from a surgery, you may need additional support during the session, or if using to improve your overall wellbeing, you may wish to use our drop in service and spend this time alone focusing on your needs.
We have changing and showering facilities available on site and provide towels and robes.
There will never be more than two patients in the pool at any one time, and for those patients who require 1:1 input, this can also be arranged. We will always endeavour to make you feel comfortable and address any concerns you have.
We offer women-only sessions if this is preferable and flexible appointment options so we can work around you and your specific needs.
Hydrotherapy pool packages
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
- Tailored assessment and treatment plan
- Package prices for groups of sessions
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and one-to-one guided sessions.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.