Resources

Coban tape

Osteoarthritis of carpometacarpal thumb joint

Post-distal radius fracture - conservatively-managed

Post-flexor tendon repair

Hydrotherapy is a form of physiotherapy where specific exercises are carried out in a purpose-built pool.

The water in the pool is warm - it's kept just below body temperature.

• The warm water helps the muscles to relax, which can ease pain and make exercise easier
• The buoyancy of the water helps to support body weight, which can relieve pressure on joints, reduce pain and increase your movement
• Exercise against the resistance of the water can improve:
  • Muscle strength
  • Co-ordination
  • Endurance
  • Balance
  • Circulation
  • The reduction of swelling

The pool

You do not need to be able to swim to use our hydrotherapy pool.

It has two levels, with depths of 1m and 1.3m.

Please let the physiotherapist know if you're feeling nervous or anxious about your treatment.

You will be supervised and assisted throughout your hydrotherapy session to suit your own personal needs.

There is a stretcher hoist which can be used to improve access into the pool.

Location

Hydrotherapy Pool
Betjeman Centre
Ground Floor, Great Western Hospital
Marlborough Road
Swindon
SN3 6BB

Side effects

The warmth of the water and exercise may make you feel tired - this is perfectly normal.

After treatment, it is advisable to have a shower; this will remove the chlorine from your skin and help you to cool down before you get dressed.

Please make sure you bring a drink to have following the treatment, and try to rest before going home.

If at any stage you feel faint, dizzy or have chest pain it's important to tell your physiotherapist.

What to expect

You will be assessed by a physiotherapist to ensure that hydrotherapy is an appropriate treatment.

Our Hydrotherapy Team will book one or more sessions of 30 minutes.

These are conducted with both you and your physiotherapist in the pool.

You will complete a variety of exercises which are tailored to suit your needs.

When hydrotherapy is not appropriate

Sessions cannot take place if you have:

• Any open wound or skin infection
• Cold, virus, and/or raised temperature
• Diarrhoea and/or vomiting (you must have been clear of it for 48 hours)
• Incontinence
• Angina, cardiac and/or respiratory conditions (this will be discussed and screened further by your referring physiotherapist prior to any treatment)

After you are discharged

Our physiotherapists will give you information on attending the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool so that you can continue with your exercises on your own.

Please see the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool website.

Session times 

• Monday, 9am to 11.30am
• Wednesday, 9am to 11.30am

You will be issued a specific appointment time.

Contact

01793 605093 or 01793 605094

A pain management physiotherapist is someone specialised in treating people with long-term pain.

Patients are referred to us by consultant doctors, GPs or other allied health professionals.
 
We see patients with a wide range of pain problems including:

• Lower back pain
• Sciatica
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Fibromyalgia
• CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome)
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Self-management

Self-management is about learning to help yourself, and take responsibility for your own health and well-being.

We aim to give you more skills to add to the ones you already use, to reduce the impact the pain has on your life.

The result is a more enjoyable and fulfilling life: where they are in control of the pain, rather than the pain controlling them.

Stiff shoulder

Rotator cuff related pain