How to get hydrotherapy??

joanlawson
joanlawson Member Posts: 8,681
edited 18. Feb 2009, 07:32 in Living with Arthritis archive
I hear that hydrotherapy is very helpful and wonder who it is available to and how you go about getting it. I have OA in my knee and have just had an unsuccessful arthroscopy. I've been told that a knee replacement is the only answer but have asked for time to consider this. As I've developed Bursitis in my hip, I'm having physio and acupuncture now, but wonder about hydrotherapy because the one thing that gives me pain relief is lying in a warm bath. Can you just ask for it or is it only offered to people in a worse condition than me :?: Advice gratefully recieved.
Joan :)
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Comments

  • kezzo1
    kezzo1 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well iasked for it i rang at the pool at the hosp and was told there were no spaces and u had to be refered like physio etc and being young they basically told me it was for older people in other words forget it?! i wasnt impressed hope u get lucky! i know its supposed to help us but doesnt look like some are willing to let us use it? i dont know. :)
  • greyheron
    greyheron Member Posts: 167
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joanlawson wrote:
    I hear that hydrotherapy is very helpful and wonder who it is available to and how you go about getting it. I have OA in my knee and have just had an unsuccessful arthroscopy. I've been told that a knee replacement is the only answer but have asked for time to consider this. As I've developed Bursitis in my hip, I'm having physio and acupuncture now, but wonder about hydrotherapy because the one thing that gives me pain relief is lying in a warm bath. Can you just ask for it or is it only offered to people in a worse condition than me :?: Advice gratefully recieved.
    Joan :)

    Hi Joan

    I have had two arthroscopies in the past (fortunately both helpful for a time) and a knee replacement op last November. After each one I was referred for hydrotherapy and found it really good - especially as I am overweight. The water is very supportive and while everything feels very comfortable, you can actually work your muscles harder and more effectively in the water so the results can be good - they certainly have been for me.

    So I would definitely encourage you to ask whether it is available through the NHS in your area.

    I am fortunate in that I have private medical insurance through my work. I think the private hospital I attend charges about £50 for physio assessment, £50 for a one-to-one hydro session and then you can go on to 'maintenance' where you have group sessions with a physio assistant and up to 3 other patients which costs about £15 a time.

    I don't know whether you have insurance or whether 'self-pay' is a possibility for you, but if so it would be worth contacting local private hospitals to see what facilities they have and whether you can access them.

    Good luck!

    Wendy
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Joan,

    What about asking at your local pool? Often the non-swimmers pool is kept warmer and some pools do sessions for the disabled where they turn the heating up so the water's warmer.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • greyheron
    greyheron Member Posts: 167
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    lindalegs wrote:
    Hi Joan,

    What about asking at your local pool? Often the non-swimmers pool is kept warmer and some pools do sessions for the disabled where they turn the heating up so the water's warmer.

    Luv Legs :D

    Thanks for a great suggestion, Legs - I'm going to look into this for when my insurance runs out ...

    Wendy