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Hydrotherapy

Our clinic in Kensington has one of the largest hydrotherapy pools in Central London. We offer self-pay and insurance funded rehabilitation packages, individual hydrotherapy sessions and a variety of plans to promote and deliver the best outcomes for patients using water and land-based physiotherapy interventions.

What is Hydrotherapy?

Hydrotherapy, also known as aquatic physiotherapy or aquatic therapy, is proven to be a safe and effective treatment in accelerating the rate of recovery for wide ranging conditions:

  • Hydrotherapy pools offer an incredibly therapeutic solution to those suffering with a physical impairment.
  • The support and resistance of the water can ultimately enhance exercises and create a safe environment for rehabilitation.
  • The pools are heated to a very comfortable 34-36°C and also contain an automated hoist to aid entry and exit.

What are the Benefits?

Gravity is reduced by one seventh when a patient is immersed into the water, and it can facilitate exercise techniques that offer both resistance and support. The warm temperature also prompts muscle relaxation, facilitates stretching and generally helps to reduce pain.

Watch the video of us featured on ITV Tonight treating a patient at our Chelsea Clinic, who reports the huge benefits hydrotherapy has made to his recovery.

What Conditions can Benefit from Hydrotherapy?

Conditions that benefit from hydrotherapy include:

Here is an example of some higher intensity pool-based running and jumping drills, that can be used prior to attempting on land. These drills prepare the lower body for impact running, jumping and hopping, with joint sparing reduced loads in the aquatic environment. 

It provides a safer environment to help develop speed and power, with increased horizontal resistance provided by the water, but less vertical ground impact forces. Good trunk and pelvic form can be maintained with the overhead drills, that improve activation of trunk and pelvic musculature.

Why Choose Us for Hydrotherapy?

Unrivalled Expertise

Our hydrotherapists have at least five years experience in hydrotherapy. They are also physiotherapists and so during your thorough initial assessment are able to advise which form of treatment would be best for you.

Joint Replacement Specialists

We are one of the leading London providers of a combined land and pool-based programme for both non-operatively managed and pre/post joint replacement patients.

Access to Additional Specialists

We have excellent relationships with orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists and other leading medics, to whom we can refer you should the need arise.

Great Value!

Our hydrotherapy services start from as little as £30 per session. Following a course of hydrotherapy, you can also return for self-hydro, if necessary, to further aid rehab in a more cost-effective way.

Our Patients Give Us 5 Stars!

I had a speedy recovery thanks to the care of Jack Watson. His personal attention made a big difference. Started with hydrotherapy in clean facilities and then physio carefully overseen by Jack week by week until my fracture was healed.
G C.
G C.
I can’t recommend Central Health highly enough. I broke my ankle in November 2023 and a friend recommended them to me - for hydrotherapy in particular. Jackson is absolutely brilliant. His encouragement, understanding and expertise have really helped me regain my confidence in walking again. My hydrotherapy sessions are the highlight of my week The whole reception team are also really great and welcoming. To complete the picture, you couldn’t wish for a more beautiful setting than the Royal Hospital in which to go on your rehab journey.
Margaret M.
Margaret M.
I had physiotherapy and hydrotherapy for sometimes debilitating back and hip pain. Jack and the team, especially Skye and Emily, were so lovely and welcoming they made it a pleasure to attend. Jack makes physiotherapy fun which is no mean feat and drilled it in to me how important it is to look after myself and gave me the tools to manage any painful flare-ups. I would have no hesitation in recommding central health and would always chose them first for physio.
Dana B.
Dana B.
After a long period of illness my 16 year old daughter came to CHP Chelsea in a wheelchair. Her progress over 8 months, initially in the hydro pool then in the gym, has been remarkable and we can’t thank Catherine Nutt enough for her patience, encouragement and skilled guidance. My daughter no longer needs her wheelchair, walks normally, and is now even able to run short distances. A huge thank you.
Georgina B.
Georgina B.
The assessment and guidance from Aisling - always with a great understanding, patience and smile - helped greatly my recovery after a hip replacement. Exercising in the warm hydrotherapy pool was a very pleasurable experience coupled with marked improvements in my mobility and confidence. Thank you, Aisling.
Jindra F.
Jindra F.
I've been going to the Chelsea clinic for the past six months, after reaching rock bottom with my diagnosis of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome. With regular physiotherapy sessions, and weekly hydrotherapy (the pool is lovely), I've made huge progress and after four and a half years of illness, I finally feel I'm getting my life back. Jane Attard is very supportive and so incredibly knowledgeable about this condition, and after only my first session, I was already feeling a hell of a lot better as she immediately identified what was wrong with my shoulder. Rehabilitation takes time, but I'm slowly getting there. Jane has been my saviour -- and having dealt with ENDLESS useless medical professionals, I do not say this lightly. The team are all upbeat and friendly, and the clinic's location in the Royal Hospital makes the whole experience really pleasant. Highly recommend this place!
Celestine F.
Celestine F.
Chris is a legend! I was in a lot of pain after a hip replacement and went to Chris In dispar. . I did hydropysio followed by weight exercises with him.Chris listened to me and what I wanted to achieve ,and what my body was capable of. He set me a programme which I followed steadily and I have confidence now to try and do my favourite sports ...skiing!Chris is understanding , careful ,professional, and I can not recommend him highly enough.Lucy A
Annie A.
Annie A.
My wife had a pretty horrendous and complicated skiing injury which has resulted in her requiring two surgeries and intense physio.She picked central health Chelsea as there is a hydrotherapy pool. Jane is an amazingly dedicated, knowledgeable and friendly physio. She has helped my wife with the physio therapy but also looks out for how she is doing emotionally to ensure that she remains motivated and determined to help hasten her recovery. My wife is very happy with the services and the progress she has made. We (and the surgeons!) never expected the recovery she has made. Keep up the good work!
Harshil & Anisha S.
Harshil & Anisha S.
I cannot recommend Central Health Physiotherapy highly enough. The whole team were professional but kind. My physiotherapist Ali Yeo built my confidence from my first hydrotherapy session and gently pushed me so that my recovery was really fast - I was swimming 1km breast stroke and having a proper work out in the gym by week 6 after having a total hip replacement. I cannot thank her enough for her gentle but strong motivation which means that now I feel physically better than I can remember. thank you to the whole team but especially to Ali.
Eve L.
Eve L.
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Find your nearest clinic to book your next appointment or discuss your needs with our friendly team and find out how we can help you return to fitness!

Frequently Asked Questions

Hydrotherapy prices can be found on our prices page.

Do not worry if you cannot swim. A physiotherapist will be with you in the water at all times. The pool is not deep and you can hold onto the hand rails which surround the pool. You will not need to put your head under water.

A swimming costume and any acute medications. We provide towels and dressing gowns.

Access to the pool is via steps with hand-rails if you are able. Electronic hoist access is available to those patients who are less mobile.

The warmth of the water and the exercise may make you feel tired afterwards.

Waterproof dressings will be applied to prevent contact with recent surgery sites. We have stringent disinfectant measures which ensure clean water. The pool water is tested weekly for micro-organisms by the Health Protection Agency in accordance with their guidelines.

You will be assessed by a physiotherapist before your first hydrotherapy appointment. Certain conditions may prohibit you from hydrotherapy.

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