By Melissa McConaghy

Penny has been doing a hydrotherapy exercise program twice a week for the past three months. Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 6 years ago, Penny suffers from slow, rigid movements, freezing and poor balance. She now finds it very difficult to exercise independently on land, but in the hydrotherapy pool she can practice strength, balance and walking without risk of falling. Hydrotherapy or physiotherapy exercise in water, has been used for thousands of years to relieve pain, increase mobility and help with relaxation.

Hydrotherapy is again becoming an increasingly popular choice for people who suffer from conditions which make movement difficult on land, or who suffer from pain, swelling, decreased mobility or weakness. Exercising in a heated hydrotherapy pool provides support, buoyancy, and gentle resistance during exercise. Apart from being very soothing, the heated water can also help with circulation, swelling and general fitness.

Surprisingly, many people that attend hydrotherapy sessions are not able to swim. Using floats and support devices, anyone of any ability can attend hydrotherapy with the right therapy supervision. Most older Australians do not exercise enough. Either they have too much pain to move, in the case of arthritis, they are not confident with their balance or they have developed a sedentary lifestyle and get exhausted just thinking about exercise! Exercising in a hydrotherapy pool under physiotherapy supervision removes many of these barriers and can help to immediately enhance quality of life and overall fitness.

With many private hydrotherapy centres opening in Australia due to increasing community demand it is hoped that more older Australians like Penny can take advantage of the heated water and start gentle exercise programs and get moving again. In order to get the most out of exercising in the pool, it is advised that people consult their health professional or GP first.

For more information visit the website on http://www.archealth.com.au Melissa is a physiotherapist and the owner of Advance Rehab Centre, located in St Leonards.

Melissa has extensive experience in neurological rehabilitation and holds a Master of Health Science (Neurological Physiotherapy) and Graduate Certificate in Public Health. For more information please visit http://www.archealth.com.au