Aquatic Rehabilitation Partnership

Hydrotherapy near Wimbledon

Our sister company Aqua Physio, just 3 miles away in Garth Road is a state of the art hydrotherapy pool. Aquatic Physiotherapy is the treatment of patients in a warm water pool (body temperature), providing individually tailored exercise and rehabilitation programs to suit the needs and the aims of the patient.

Gentle, effective recovery using water-based physiotherapy

Hydrotherapy – also known as aquatic physiotherapy – is one of the most effective ways to recover from pain, injury, or surgery.

At Wimbledon Physiotherapy, we work in partnership with Aqua Physio, a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy centre just a few miles away, to offer individualised treatment in a warm water environment.

Hydrotherapy allows you to move freely with less pain and impact, making it ideal for patients recovering from:

• Sports injuries and soft tissue damage

• Joint replacements (especially knee and hip replacenents) and post-surgical rehab

• Arthritis and chronic pain

• Fractures - ankle, hip, knee and shoulder

• Achilles tendon ruptures

Whether you’re recovering from an operation, managing long-term pain, or rebuilding strength after injury, our expert team can design a tailored aquatic therapy programme to speed your recovery safely and effectively.

How Hydrotherapy Works

Hydrotherapy uses the natural properties of warm water, buoyancy, resistance, and heat to reduce pain, improve movement, and accelerate healing.

The water’s buoyancy supports your body weight, reducing joint stress, while its gentle resistance helps rebuild strength and stability.

Benefits include:

• Relieves pain and stiffness through warmth and support

• Improves circulation and flexibility

• Builds muscle strength without strain

• Enhances balance, posture, and mobility

• Promotes relaxation and confidence during recovery

Therapeutic Benefits of Aqua rehabilitation:

• The water in the pool is approximately 34°C, much warmer than a swimming pool which allows your muscles to relax, alleviating spasms and easing any pain in your joints.
• The buoyancy of the water unloads the weight of the body, reducing stress on joints and allowing more freedom of movement.
• Maintain and improve balance, co-ordination, walking and posture whether this is due to injury, pain, surgery or general age related deterioration. The water can be used as support as the water provides buoyancy. The properties of water such as drag or turbulence can also be utilised in more advanced rehabilitation to provide an environment that challenges stability.
• Strengthening of weak or injured muscles, as the buoyancy produced by the water can be used to assist (or resist) movement. When muscles are warm they contract easier and more efficiently. This in turn means you can build up the strength and endurance of your muscles without them getting as fatigued.
• Prevention of muscle wasting while injured or pre/post-surgery. Many exercises can still be continued in water while injured that you cannot do on land.
• The deep well allows you to be able to run without putting any strain through your joints. Therefore, even if you are injured and unable to run on land you would be able to maintain your fitness and form with deep water running.
• Aquatic Physiotherapy can accelerate healing and provides a general sense of well-being.
• The warm water causes the blood vessels to open up and improves circulation.

Conditions treated at AquaPhysio

Fractures /Multiple traumas: Being submerged in water will allow you to move the affected area and weight bearing sooner than on land.

Stress fracture:  Exercises without loading the stress fracture.

Osteoarthritis /Rheumatoid arthritis: It is easier to strengthen your muscles in water where there is much reduced load through the joint.

Sports injuries: Where an injury that prevents you from running on land you may be able to aqua run in the deep water without irritating their injury.

Soft tissue injuries: We can use the resistance of water to rehab and progress your exercises.

Athletes/ runners: That have an injury that prevents them from running may be able to aqua run in the deep water without irritating their injury. It is also beneficial as a reduced load, training session.

Rehabilitation post-surgery: You will be able to start moving earlier in the water.

Low back pain: The water can reduce your pain in order to move better which will help with your back problem.

Hip/ knee or other joint replacements: (before and after the operations) to help strengthen and regain movement

Muscle pain and inflammation: The heat and the hydrostatic pressure of the water can help reduced pain and inflammation

Shoulder surgery and injury: The water can help regain movement and strength.

Broken Bones: Being submerged in water will allow you to move the affected area and weight bearing sooner than on land.

Balance disorders: you can train your balance in water without the fear of falling.

Neurological conditions such as strokes or brain injuries: The water can be a great way to practice walking and improve and maintain balance and co-ordination.

The Aqua Physio Team

Our physiotherapists are specialised in practicing Aquatic physiotherapy . Many of our physiotherapists work across both clinics so you can be assured of a professional and personal service along with continuity of care. Aqua Physio is also has some of the newest state of the art equipment to ensure your rehabilitation potential is maximised.

What happens when you attend Aqua physio?

The pool is accessible to all, with shallow steps, hand rails and a state of the art hoist. On your first visit your condition will be assessed, and a therapy programme will be designed specifically to meet your needs. You will be initially treated on a 1-2-1 basis with your therapist where your treatment can be monitored and progressed where necessary. The programme will take into account your level of mobility and confidence in the water, allowing you to feel comfortable, even if you are not a swimmer.

We do offer the opportunity to move on to unsupervised self-management sessions where your therapist would set you a program of exercise to work through on your own in the pool. Self-management sessions are ideal for as a continued exercise plan after a treatment program with a therapist.

Aqua physio or  Land Physio?

Aquatic Physiotherapy can be practiced either independently or in conjunction with land-based treatment. For many conditions a rehabilitation programme that consists of both land and aquatic rehabilitation alongside one another can help maximise your treatment. Alternatively with some conditions, aqua therapy can be started earlier than land physio due to the properties of water which can help speed up your recovery.

Discuss with your physiotherapist what the best option for you is.

GPS and Consultants

If you are a Consultant/GP or Physiotherapist interested in referring a patient to us then please fill out the attached referral form and fax or send it to us at the contact provided. If you would like to discuss a patient or the type of work we undertake, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Download your Hydrotherapy referral form here.

Hydrotherapy FAQs

What conditions can hydrotherapy help with?
Hydrotherapy can benefit a wide range of conditions, including sports injuries, arthritis, joint replacements, chronic pain and post-surgical rehabilitation. We specialise in orthopaedic rehaibitation after surgery and fractures.

Is hydrotherapy suitable if I can’t swim?
Yes, you do not need to be able to swim. Sessions take place in a warm, purpose-built pool with shallow steps, handrails and a hoist. You’ll be supported by your physiotherapist throughout your session.

What should I wear for hydrotherapy?
Comfortable swimwear is ideal. If you prefer, you can wear a fitted T-shirt or shorts made from quick-drying material. You will need to bring your own towel and shower gel etc.

How quickly will I see results?
Most patients feel improvements after just a few sessions, including reduced pain, easier movement and greater confidence. The number of sessions depends on your condition and recovery goals.

Can hydrotherapy be combined with land-based physiotherapy?
Absolutely, many patients benefit from combining hydrotherapy with traditional physiotherapy. Your physiotherapist will design a tailored plan that uses both water and land exercises to maximise your progress.