Hydrotherapy benefits within a PHB

I have been working with Maria since July 2018. She was referred via Partner2Care as she was wanting to try hydrotherapy. I have been running regular sessions at the Freeways Hydrotherapy Centre, Leigh Woods, Bristol for a number of years. Freeways is a purpose built hydrotherapy unit with excellent facilities and a great team who run regular hydrotherapy sessions for individuals with a variety of conditions.

Maria has secondary progressive MS and has no movement from the neck down. Despite this she is an inspirational person and leads a full and active life. She was keen to explore ways of movement and also to try to prevent herself getting too stiff.

Following her initial assessment, we both soon knew that working in water was an excellent way of getting her moving and also an opportunity for me to regularly review any issues that may arise such as stiffness or pain. Maria works through an active exercise programme, using the properties of the water to both assist her movement and provide support. The temperature of the water – 34 degrees, is also ideal to work in.

She is assisted in the water by her support team and they are able to carry over many of the exercises seen onto ‘dry-land’.

To best summarise how working with physiotherapy in the water, Maria’s own words capture it perfectly.

"I deal with my MS by placing what I can physically do in one box and what I can mentally do in another. Hydrotherapy allows me to work these two together by reminding me what different parts of the body are for."

"It gives me the motivation that I can achieve and do what I want to do because I am able. It makes me feel empowered and that I can contribute to society."

"The hydrotherapy session helped me to manouvere my body so that internally I work better. My digestive system, respiratory system, my cognitive function are all improved and more health benefits besides."

"The regular hydrotherapy sessions have helped to build my confidence in getting out and try new things."

Working with Maria in the pool is one of the highlights of my working week as she derives such benefit and enjoyment from it.