Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy will be run in 6 week blocks with full payment taken before the course. ie £15 a session, £90 for the 6 week block.

Email: info@ageukreading.org.uk
Telephone: 0118950 2480

Age UK Reading would like to run a pilot hydrotherapy service to:
 Assess whether there is interest in such a service
 Try out our systems and procedures to see if we could run it smoothly.
 Take customer feedback. Good and Bad.

Benefits of Hydrotherapy.

“Hydrotherapy (or aquatic physiotherapy) is highly recommended by NHS trusts for
older people as a low-impact rehabilitation method, particularly for those with joint pain,
mobility issues, or recovering from surgery. It takes place in warm water (typically 32-
36°C), which relaxes muscles and reduces pain.”
Key benefits of hydrotherapy for older people according to NHS sources include:
 Pain Relief and Reduced Muscle Spasm: The warmth of the water helps
muscles relax, easing pain and reducing muscle spasms.
 Improved Joint Range and Flexibility: The buoyancy of the water supports
body weight, reducing pressure on joints and allowing for greater, more
comfortable movement.
 Increased Muscle Strength and Endurance: The natural resistance of the
water helps to strengthen muscles, improve core stability, and increase
endurance without high-impact stress.
 Better Balance and Reduced Fall Risk: Hydrotherapy improves postural
control and balance, which is crucial for reducing the risk of falls in older adults.
 Cardiovascular Fitness and Circulation: It helps improve cardiovascular health
and boosts circulation.

 Safer Rehabilitation: It allows for earlier rehabilitation of gait and weight-bearing
exercises (e.g., after hip or knee replacements) because the water supports the
body, making walking and movement easier.
 Independence and Confidence: It aids in regaining independence and boosts
confidence in movement.

- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Our proposed pilot

Age UK Reading would like to make Hydrotherapy available to older people in Reading by organising some group sessions in a local pool. Our pilot will run for six weeks and will take place in a residential area close to Prospect Park, with parking. The session will be up to one hour and will include the services of a qualified instructor. There is a short time to change at the start and end of every lesson.
Sessions would cost £15 each and would be bought as a block in one payment before the course begins. So the 6 week course would cost £90 pp. This fee would be non-refundable.

Session numbers will be capped at 8 swimmers.

Sessions will take place in a purpose-built local pool, with a qualified instructor. The pool temperature is kept at 33-35 degrees C. Pool depth is 135 cm, and the edge of the pool is 50 cm above floor level.

When the pilot ends we will gather feedback and learning. If we feel the pilot was successful we will set this up as an ongoing service.

Express interest

If you feel you might like to access Hydrotherapy on these terms, then please email us at info@ageukreading.org.uk or call on 0118 950 2480 and we will hold your contact details in a list which will be held solely for this purpose.