SPN FEB 2010 COMPLETE EDITION:SPN 2010 21/01/2010 06:23 Page 51
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk WaterWellness FEB 2010 SPN 51
HYDROTHERAPY POOLS A
WELLBEING THEME FOR 2010
HYDROTHERAPY
A record number of hydrotherapy pools are are gaining in popularity among pediatric
SYSTEMS RELAX
likely to be commissioned in 2010 in both the physical therapists. Exercise in water appeals
private and public health sector as the to children with cerebral palsy, autism and
MUSCLES AND
message of the importance of relaxation, other special needs because of the unique
RELIEVE STRESS
therapy pools become more accepted than buoyancy of water that reduces joint loading
ever before. The specialist pools are after all and impact, and decreases the negative Hydrotherapy, in all its guises,
the single best relaxation resource that a hotel influences of poor balance and poor postural not only helps improve the
or leisure centre can provide for its customers. control. It also eases the aches and pains and physical dexterity of disabled
And the provision of hydrotherapy pools instills in them a sense of wellbeing. swimmers but can also be
at schools across the UK, some special Award winning hydrotherapy pool used to create an
needs, means this sector of the commercial designers Heritage Pools have over 30 years environment of fun
market is busy. experience in designing and building and calmness.
Aside from simply imbuing the user with a therapeutic and special needs pools and are Whilst practicality is the
sense of well being, relaxation pools are also able to work closely with the therapist or main requirement of any hydrotherapy
an excellent means of exercising. specialist to provide the precise design pool, the introduction of ‘water games’, in
The buoyancy of the water means that we requirements that are needed, depending the form of a water curtain or water
are able to perform movements that would on the special needs of the users. cannon can add to the therapeutic effects
otherwise be difficult. Heritage Pools have regularly won awards of swimming.
One recent development is a Department for their hydrotherapy pools and are The use of a water cascades in hot tubs has
of Health report which seeks to increase the becoming the authority in designing and been a major feature for many years, enabling
number of hydrotherapy pools used in installing pools for special needs users.They bathers to relax under a curtain of warm
hospitals as part of patients recovery won SPATA Gold Awards for installations at water to relax muscles and relieve stress.
processes. A 2009 report urges that future the Kingsley Special Needs School in Harrow Two devices available from Golden
investment be put to one side to provide and other in Worcester. Coast that can be incorporated into a
larger hospital units with quality modern “Each client has very different hydrotherapy pool to achieve the same
pools large enough to allow exercise. In requirements depending on the disability of benefits are the Flexinox ‘Bali’ water
2010 much of the invest initially in the the users,” says Brian Andrews of Heritage curtain or the Cannon Jet ‘Tahiti’. The
private sector is being realised. Pools. “We always work closely with the ‘Bali’ generates a flow of up to 30 cubic
The therapeutic value of warm water has therapists and nursing staff to get a feel for metres of water per hour through its wide
been known about since the Romans built the special requirements that are needed. 500mm flat nozzle to form a gentle curtain
public bath houses. Warm water can ease Often we can suggest options that make of water, whilst the ‘Tahiti’ has the option
muscles as well as treat skin problems and their life a lot easier as well as a better of four different nozzle heads to create a
help with underlying tissue disorders. Add experience for the patients.” single or defused spray of up to six cubic
pulsating jets of water and air to the warm To ensure the hygiene and cleanliness of metres of water per hour.
water and you are able to sweat out toxins their hydrotherapy installations a sand Ideally suited for any type of commercial
as well as promote psychological and filtration system is installed. This works by or domestic pool, whether indoor or
muscular relaxation. pumping water under pressure through a outside, both products can be fitted either
Hydrotherapy pools are particularly bed of sand that traps dirt and debris in during initial construction or as part of a
beneficial to children with special needs and between the sand particles. refurbishment project.
t’s no secret that there’s a growing interest benefits of a hot tub, through to the benefits of only been appealing to one-third of the total
and belief in the healing, restorative, aiding muscle contraction, to decreasing the risk market potential, last year it introduced light
Irelaxing and therapeutic powers of water. of osteoporosis for elderly people, improving and sound to its products as optional extras.
Increasingly, medical research is focusing metabolism, fighting hypertension, cholesterol “Market research identified three motivational
on how specific medical conditions can be levels, and sugar levels for type 2 diabetics. reasons to own a hot tub – health benefits,
improved in water rather than just the Warm water (25°) relaxes, removes stress connection with family and friends, and escape
benefits of well being. and lowers the heart rate by 10%, the heart from the stresses of the day,” he added.
In Atlanta a few months ago the World can rest. And water’s uniform resistance One benefit of aquatic therapy is the
Aquatic Health Conference brought together encourages slow, controlled movements. buoyancy provided by the water. While
leading research documents from all over the Hot tub manufacturers are beginning now submerged in water, buoyancy assists in
world to review latest research on health to step up the therapy benefits of spas. supporting the weight of the patient. This
benefits of pools and hot tubs. John Schrenk, President of Marquis Spas in decreases the amount of weight bearing which
The annual conference provides the the United States and available in the UK reduces the force of stress placed on the joints.
background to what in the United States is a through Golden Coast stresses the point that This aspect of aquatic therapy is especially
huge business in aqua therapy, promoting and as a premium brand, Marquis Spas established useful for patients with arthritis, healing
marketing the benefits of being in a pool and spa itself on the back of the therapeutic benefits fractured bones, or who are overweight. By
to produce genuine sustainable health benefits. of hot tubs, traditionally shying away from decreasing the amount of joint stress it is
The message of health and fitness through ‘bolt-on extras’ that have turned some spas easier and less painful to perform exercises.
water exercise is now much more than into ‘entertainment zones’. The viscosity of water provides an excellent
swimming and the challenge is now to develop ”It’s more than just relaxing. It’s still about source of resistance that can be easily
a much stronger marketing message which educating the customer to the value and incorporated into an aquatic therapy exercise
targets the health benefits as being a reason benefits of hot water therapy but also being a programme. This resistance allows for muscle
for consumers to use and buy pools and spas. partner in meeting their demands,” says Schrenk. strengthening without the need of weights.
Aqua therapy is now seen as a generic term The company retains that philosophy at its Using resistance coupled with the water’s
for all the benefits of being in water – from the core today, focussing on water quality and buoyancy allows a person to strengthen
fitness aspects of swimming, the therapeutic therapy. However, aware that it has perhaps muscle groups with decreased joint stress that
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