The use of hydrotherapy for treating children is very beneficial. It is often used for musculoskeletal pathologies, but may also be used in the treatment of neurological problems. Children who have undergone surgery also benefit from hydrotherapy during the recovery.
Hydrotherapy can improve the quality of life for children, as well as enhance motor and cognitive functions.
Hydrotherapy can be used in children with certain pediatric conditions. Conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and down’s syndrome. It is also found to help with muscular dystrophy. Individual patients with autism and dyspraxia have also shown improvement using hydrotherapy.
When dealing with children, hydrotherapy has specific objectives. These do not differ from land-based treatment strategies and may be used in conjunction with them to ensure proper recovery.
Reduction in pain is a major goal, alongside promoting healthy physical development. Hydrotherapy usually sets physical milestones that are reached in sequence. This builds up a sense of confidence that the child carries with them outside the water.
Hydrotherapy can also be used to normalize muscle tone and increase physical function. The stiffness of the joints is corrected, and the ability to bear weight is improved.
With regulated water temperatures, children are less likely to feel pain when engaging in physical therapy. In conjunction with the buoyancy effect, this eases any physical stress that might be present in a land-based rehabilitation program.
