Doc MacLean
Hydrotherapy can help athletes soak up their rehabilitation
FOR those of you who took part in this month’s Great Scottish Run the immediate few days afterwards may have seen some tired muscles and aching legs. Perhaps you did a planned recovery programme or just had a long soak in a warm bath but did you know that the relief of pain, stiffness and muscle spasm by water therapy or hydrotherapy has been around for over 2000 years? Hydrotherapy spas were introduced throughout the Roman Empire and still exist today in towns such as Bath. Modernday hydrotherapy dates back to the mid-1800s with the belief that “taking the waters” would dissolve and remove diseased matter and strengthen the body by restoring cleansed blood to the tissues and maximising the circulation. The Hydros for example at Crieff and Peebles in Scotland were originally set up for this purpose. In addition to the baths, water with a particular mineral content was taken internally – even today colonic or bowel irrigation has survived as a treatment favoured by some.
So what is hydrotherapy? In simple terms it is basically physiotherapy in heated water. Its benefits come from two main factors: the high water temperature (and resultant humid air) and the buoyancy or relative reduction in body weight. In addition it is fun, which encourages and maintains motivation – all of which helps psychologically in the recovery from injury or illness. The benefits of hydrotherapy include relief of pain and muscle spasm (like aching stiff backs), strengthening weak muscles and improving balance, coordination and posture and it can be used in all ages.
Hydrotherapy is one of the most used modalities utilised in the treatment of sports injuries. It is commonly utilised when weight bearing is contra-indicated such as following an ankle ligament injury or immediately post-op. It is ideal in some of the well-publicised injuries such as a metatarsal fracture or Achilles tendon rupture. We are fortunate to have a hydrotherapy pool at the Sports Clinic at Hampden where part of the client’s treatment often includes sessions in the pool at no additional cost. We also offer sporting teams use of the pool for fitness and conditioning sessions. The aim is to maintain the athlete’s cardiovascular fitness as well as part of their structured rehabilitation programme, especially for back and lower-limb injuries. It also helps to break the monotony of a prolonged rehab. Unlike that soak in our bath it is hard work with a rise in heart rate similar to a strenuous land-based training session.
■ Contact the Hampden Sports Clinic on 0141 616 6161 or www.hampdensportsclinic