Hydrotherapy
Physiotherapy treatment delivered in water.
What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy that our clinic provides, is Physiotherapy delivered in water – using the properties of warm water to support movement. Hydrotherapy pools are usually kept around 34 degrees celsius, in a warm indoor environment. Delivering therapy sessions in the water, makes movement and practice of emerging skills easier due to:
- Buoyancy reduces body weight, making it easier to move weak or stiff muscles
- Resistance helps build strength gently
- Warmth can relax muscles and reduce pain or stiffness
- Hydrostatic pressure can support joints and improve body awareness
Who is Hydrotherapy for?
Our hydrotherapy sessions are designed for children with disabilities who have therapy goals that can be supported both on land and in the water. Just like clinic-based physiotherapy, each session is tailored to your child’s individual goals, with activities focused on building the skills needed to achieve them.
Using the unique properties of warm water, hydrotherapy allows us to support movement in ways that may be difficult on land. Sessions are engaging, goal-directed, and often feel like play while delivering meaningful therapeutic outcomes.
What we work on in Hydrotherapy
Improving independent movement
For children with complex physical disabilities, moving on land can be challenging due to gravity or differences in muscle tone (high or low tone). Water provides support, making movement more achievable.
Practising motor skills with reduced joint load
The buoyancy of water reduces stress on joints, allowing children to move more safely and comfortably while building strength, endurance and coordination.
Building balance skills
Children can safely practise sitting, standing, and walking balance with the support of the water.
Engaging in play-based therapy
Activities are designed to be fun, motivating, and meaningful, often incorporating water play to encourage participation and enjoyment.
Developing movement or motor abilities more naturally
Some skills are easier to practise in water, where movement can feel more fluid and natural—such as kicking, paddling, or supported standing.
Stretching and changing body positions
Water makes it easier to stretch muscles, move joints, and explore different body positions, allowing for a change—especially beneficial for children who spend long periods sitting or using a wheelchair.
Learning routines and water safety skills
Sessions also support following instructions, building routines, and developing body awareness in and around water.
What Does Getting Started with Hydrotherapy Involve?
Before beginning hydrotherapy, all children attend a clinic-based assessment. This allows our Physiotherapists to understand your child’s needs, set meaningful goals, and ensure that hydrotherapy is the right approach to support their development.
Behind the scenes, our team takes care of all the preparation. This includes completing referrals, designing an individualised therapy program, and conducting risk assessments to ensure we select the most appropriate pool environment for your child.
Hydrotherapy sessions are delivered by our Physiotherapists, often supported by our team of Allied Health Assistants.
Depending on your child’s needs, we may ask a parent or support person to join in the water. If this is recommended, we’ll discuss it with you beforehand. You are also very welcome to join your child in the pool if you’d like to learn how to support their therapy—however, this is completely optional.
Your child’s hydrotherapy program is regularly reviewed and updated, just like any other physiotherapy service, to ensure it continues to meet their goals.
Session Locations
We currently offer hydrotherapy at the following locations:
Goodlife Community Centre
Tuesdays
Kawana Aquatic Centre
Wednesdays
(Our warmest pool, ideal for children with temperature regulation needs)
Each location offers different features, such as pool temperature, hoist access, and changing facilities. We carefully match your child to the most suitable environment based on their individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do we bring to Hydro and what are the facilities available for changing?
A: Bring your child’s normal swim related equipment – swimmers, goggles / cap if needed, swim nappies and towel. The facilities at the pools we use are different and as follows:
Goodlife Community Centre:
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- Access: this pool doesn’t have hoist access however does have entry from the stairs which have a rail or the edge of the pool
- Change Facilities: this pool has a separate change room with standard toilet / shower cubicles + a larger disability toilet – however there is no large change table or disability specific change facilities
Kawana Aquatic Centre:
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- Access: the centre is fully accessible + there is hoist and pool chair access into the pool. You can use the pool chair between the pool + change facilities
- Change Facilities: this pool has specific disability change facilities with an M-LAK bathroom with ceiling track hoist (we can provide a key)
Q: Can you deliver Hydrotherapy for my child at our home pool?
A: We run specific time slots in our week for Hydrotherapy, at community pools, to support the most children possible with this therapy model. We know these timeslots don’t work for everyone – especially if attending school. If you are looking for a home program of hydrotherapy ideas, please talk to your therapist, as they can visit your home and provide 1-2 sessions to develop a program with family and support workers. We can also help you navigate transfers in / out of your family pool, to ensure this is done safely + link you with support if AT modifications are needed to achieve this. Unfortunately we can’t provide ongoing hydrotherapy sessions at your home but can support program reviews as needed.
Q: Is Hydrotherapy an alternative to swimming lessons for my child?
A: Hydrotherapy is different to swimming lessons and sessions are Physiotherapy sessions not learn to swim sessions. However for many children with disabilities it can be a great starting point, to develop the ability to be supported safely in water and learn to move their body independently in water.
Many swim schools do run 1:1 swim lessons, if your child can move independently in the water and is ready to learn swim strokes but needs more individual support.
How to Join
Joining is easy!
- Call us on 0422 229 971 or fill in the enquiry form below.
- Our team will arrange an initial chat and clinic based appointment to ensure our program is suitable and to help develop Hydrotherapy goals
- Attending Hydrotherapy sessions with our team
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Contact us
Call Us
Our Location
Suite 1/66 Jessica Boulevard
MINYAMA QLD 4575
(In shared rooms with Orthotic Solutions)
Open Hours
Monday 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 8am – 5pm
Thursday 8am – 5pm
Friday 8am – 12noon