Hydrotherapy: The Strength-Building Solution for Those Struggling with Land-Based Exercise
For many people living with pain, injury, or chronic health conditions, even the idea of exercising on land can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s joint pain, muscle weakness, reduced mobility, or simply fear of falling land-based exercise isn’t always the best starting point. That’s where hydrotherapy (also known as aquatic therapy) can be a game-changer.
What Is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy involves structured exercise in a warm-water pool, often under the guidance of an allied health professional like an Exercise Physiologist or Physiotherapist. The properties of water including buoyancy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure make it an ideal environment to improve strength, mobility, and confidence, particularly for people who can’t tolerate traditional gym-based programs.
Hydrotherapy by the Numbers
The benefits of hydrotherapy are not just anecdotal; they’re backed by science:
People with joint pain or mobility issues can experience up to a 31% increase in lower limb strength after 8–12 weeks of aquatic resistance training.
In those with osteoarthritis, aquatic programs have led to a 19% increase in quadriceps strength even more than many land-based options.
Individuals with neurological conditions (like stroke, MS or Parkinson’s disease) have shown 25%+ improvements in strength and significant gains in balance and coordination after water-based rehab.
Aquatic resistance is up to 12 times greater than air, providing a low-impact but high-benefit strength challenge perfect for people with pain or joint limitations.
And here’s something clients love: Hydrotherapy adherence rates are close to 100% in some programs, compared to only 70–80% for land-based rehab. Why? Because it’s gentle, enjoyable, and helps people feel more capable right from the start.
Who Can Benefit from Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is ideal for people who:
Experience pain during land-based movement (e.g. arthritis, fibromyalgia)
Are recovering from injury or surgery
Live with chronic conditions (e.g. obesity, stroke, neurological disorders)
Have balance issues or are at risk of falling
Are de-conditioned and unsure where to start exercising safely
How an Accredited Exercise Physiologist Can Help
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) plays a key role in designing safe, personalised hydrotherapy programs. They assess your current ability, set goals, and guide you through progressive exercises in the pool that target:
Strength and muscle activation
Balance and stability
Joint range of motion
Pain reduction and recovery
Whether you’re new to exercise or returning after injury, an AEP can help you build confidence and capability in the water and then safely transition back to land-based training when ready.
Takeaway
If land-based exercise feels too hard, painful, or intimidating don’t give up. Hydrotherapy offers a safe, effective, and enjoyable way to build strength, reduce pain, and move better. It’s often the first step towards getting your health, independence, and mobility back on track.
Talk to an Accredited Exercise Physiologist today about whether hydrotherapy is right for you and start moving with less pain, more confidence, and greater strength.
Written by:
Jak Cannell - Accredited Exercise Physiologist