Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions worldwide. While it’s often associated with older adults, OA can develop at any age, impacting the entire joint including bone, cartilage, ligaments, and surrounding muscles. Over time, OA tends to progress gradually, bringing with it pain, stiffness, swelling, clicking noises, grating sensations, and reduced flexibility in affected joints.

For many, these symptoms can feel like an inevitable decline. But there’s good news: physiotherapy can make a world of difference. Physiotherapists play a crucial role in helping people with OA maintain function, improve strength and mobility, and manage pain effectively. At the core of this approach is movement. Keeping active is one of the most important things people with OA can do to manage their condition and support their overall health.

Exercise therapy is recommended as a first-line intervention for osteoarthritis. Physical activity is essential for joint health, stimulating cartilage regeneration, and strengthening the muscles that support joints. Both isolated muscle strengthening and functional, whole-body tasks can help reduce OA symptoms and improve day-to-day function.

Hydrotherapy is an excellent addition to OA management strategies. Exercising in water offers a unique set of benefits:

• Buoyancy reduces joint load
  • Water supports your body, reducing the weight-bearing load on joints. This makes movement easier and less painful, especially for those with knee pain, leg weakness or severe deconditioning. 
• Resistance for strengthening
  • Water provides natural resistance, which cn be used to build strength and challenge the body in a safe, controlled way.
• Warm water eases pain
  • The soothing warmth of hydrotherapy pools helps reduce pain, relieve muscle spasms, and improve comfort during exercise.
• Improved confidence & freedom of movement
  • Many clients are surprised by how much more they can do in the water. Buoyancy and pain relief often lead to increased confidence and willingness to move!

Hydrotherapy exercises are varied and engaging. Programs may include:

• Upper and lower body strengthening

• Stationary running or cycling movements

• Jumping and step-ups

• Gait training

• Deep-water running

• Resistance work with boots or fins

• Swimming

These exercises are tailored to each individual’s needs, allowing for safe, effective progression.

Research supports the benefits of hydrotherapy for OA. Studies have shown aquatic exercise is equally as effective as land-based exercise for improving quality of life, pain, and function in people with knee osteoarthritis (Waller et al., 2014; Barker et al., 2014).

Buoyancy significantly reduces vertical ground reaction forces, which means less pain during exercises like squats. A study by Heywood et al. (2019) found both ground force and reported pain were lower when older adults with knee OA performed squats in water compared to on land.

Movement Progressions in Water:

• Slow squats in water can improve knee range of motion, coordination, and confidence.

• Fast squats increase force production, offering a progression for power training.

• These improvements in the water build a pathway for transitioning to land-based exercises.

Hydrotherapy is an ideal starting point for anyone with osteoarthritis. Many clients find they’re capable of much more in water than on land. By building strength, mobility, and confidence in the pool, they create a foundation for better movement and pain management outside the water.

At Everybody Physio, we’re proud to offer an onsite hydrotherapy pool, and our experienced team of physiotherapists is dedicated to delivering high-quality, personalised hydrotherapy programs tailored to your needs.