Hydrotherapy or aquatic physiotherapy is therapy that is conducted in water, usually a pool, it uses the water properties of turbulence to treat movement issues. The water temperature is in the range of 32 to 34 degrees celsius. The warmth of the water helps your muscles and you relax, supports you to aid movement and enables you to have less load on activity. You will be recommended Hydrotherapy by a health provider  as part of your treatment plan as hydrotherapy offers many advantages that land-based programs cannot achieve.

Water is particularly healing through both its mechanical and thermal effects. Heat is used to relax the muscles and increase circulation, which is useful for oxygenating the muscles and soothing pain. The nerves at the skin carry this response to deeper structures in the body with positive benefits such as stimulating the immune system, influencing the production of stress hormones, improving circulation and digestion, encouraging the flow of blood, and decreasing the body’s sensitivity to pain.

When in the hydrotherapy pool, the buoyancy of the water releases the body from the effects of gravity. The therapist may assist this benefit using buoyancy aides. Freedom from the effects of gravity assists improved balance and enables the body to move, exercise and strengthen specific muscles or joints in a safe manner with less risk of pain.

The resistance of water is particularly useful in hydrotherapy programs. The therapist will guide you in a graduated program using the water resistance to strengthen and condition the muscles and joints. Water

has a hydrostatic effect or pressure that improves blood flow, heart and lung function. The pressure gently massages the body and stimulates the skin receptors to aid in the relaxation of tight muscles.

The benefits of hydrotherapy include:

• exercising, mobilising and strengthening programs for post-surgery or post injury rehabilitation
• building physical endurance for whole body or specific areas as part of a rehabilitation plan or as part of pre-surgery preparation
• loosening tense, tight muscles and encouraging relaxation
• increasing the metabolic rate and digestion activity to assist issues such as sleep or digestive disorders
• boosting the immune system, allowing it to function more efficiently
• improving the function of the internal organs by stimulating their blood supply.

Health and vitality

• lose weight
• decrease pain and stiffness
• improve fitness and strength
• improve balance, mobility and function.
• improve respiratory function.
• improve sleep, mood and well-being.

Conditions include:

Orthopaedics

• Joint replacement ( pre & post)
• Back pain, surgery
• Fractures & multi-trauma

Neurological Rehabilitation

• Stroke
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Acquired Brain Injury

Aged care

• Balance, mobility
• Function, fall prevention

Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Ankylosing Spondylitis

Paediatrics

• Early intervention
• Developmental delays
• Cerebral Palsy

Pregnancy

• Back and pelvic pain

Health and fitness

Respiratory Rehabilitation

Cancer Care

On your first visit the aquatic physiotherapy will:

1. Conduct a detailed subjective and objective history of your condition investigating contributive features such as muscle imbalance, joint dysfunction and altered biomechanics.
2. Provide a diagnosis of your disorder and determine whether there is a need for referral to any other health care practitioners.
3. Provide a treatment plan relative to your individual pathology and rehabilitative needs.
4. Depending on your condition the physiotherapist may refer you directly for MRI, X-ray or ultrasound investigation. This may help confirm your diagnosis in certain conditions.
5. Depending on the area of your body requiring treatment, your physiotherapist may ask you to undress to your underwear. It’s important to feel comfortable, so you may want to wear loose pants or bring a pair of shorts to change into. Gowns and shorts are available at the practice if required.
6. Assess your water capabilities, attitude to immersion, your need for supervision and possible aids for your entry and exit to the pool.

1. Individualised exercise programmes to help movement. This involves using the immersion level to help decrease loan on your joints. This helps decrease pain and increase movement by using water buoyancy and turbulence to improve movement. This will enable you to achieve your goals of fitness, pain reduction, balance or increase muscular strength.
2. Acquatic physiotherapy has specific treatment techniques to help decrease pain and increase movement. It is similar to land physiotherapy but uses water to heal and provide for an enjoyable therapy experience.

• Individual physiotherapy treatments ( land and water)
• Group classes and group options
• Land physiotherapy options ( gym, group classes)
• Independent sessions.
• Aqua fitness
• Water walking
• Deep water programs

We use the following pools for our aquatic physiotherapy sessions:

• Coughlan’s Swim Centre - 318 Hillsborough Rd, Warners Bay
• Valentine Hydrotherapy pool - 1 A St johns Dr, Croudace Bay
• Hunter Valley Private Pool – 20 Mawson St, Shortland

No you do not require a referral to see a Physiotherapist. Simply, contact us directly to make an appointment.

Cost (may vary)

Initial Consultation: $ 89 - $150

Standard Consultation Individual sessions: $90

Long Complex Consultation: $ 110 - $150

Classes (when facilities are available): from $ 25

• Balance and Mobility classes
• PACE ( People with arthritis can exercise)
• Aqua Mum’s Antenatal
• Move 4 Parkinson’s
• Physio fit ( aqua program)
• Independent pool sessions ( $10)

Yes. There are 4 ways which enable you to claim your treatment:

• Enhanced Primary Care Plans (EPC) - Under the Medicare Plus Scheme clients with chronic conditions may be referred by their GP to aquatic physiotherapy for treatment
• Veterans Affairs clients are welcome at ATUNE.
• Workers Compensation and Transport Accident Schemes are available to clients at ATUNE with all treatment costs covered.
• Private health funds with “ancillary” or “extras” cover can claim partial rebates depending on their insurance cover.

For your convenience ATUNE provides electronic facilities enabling you to claim your HICAPS and Medicare rebates. This can only be done on site at ATUNE offices.