Hello

Hope everyone's feeling ok and having a nice day!

Since February this year I've been having physiotherapy once a week as I can't use and straighten/bend my left knee/leg very well (that's the area that's most affected with RA), it doesn't seem to be doing very well, one week it's going really well then the next week I'm having a flare up then back to square one! My physiotherapist referred me to hydrotherapy, thinking this would work better for me, my rheumatologist then pushed it further as the waiting list was very long!! It's been playing on my mind for a while, 'what will happen when I get there' 'who will I be doing it with' 'what about this and that and so on', but today I had a phonecall to say they have a space for me to start hydrotherapy! Now I'm scared and starting to worry, which then starts a flare up off!

What am I to expect at hydrotherapy and is there really anything to worry about?

Thank you for reading - I'm very nervous!!

Natalie 😄

i got this a long time ago after a car accident and it was soooo nice,i had a physio in the water (female)and one out(male),got floats to help do my stuff but water not too deep and the water was warm its really very spa day but with exercises,there probably be others men and women but you are all there for same reason and it can be a laugh ,i made a few new friends from that time,changing areas are just like the swim pools, but remember help is always there so dont worry enjoy,these guys know their stuff, may be bit stiff next day,all the best,dorothy

I've had lots of hydrotherapy in the past
It's always been benefitial

The last few times I was anxious because I can't dress myself but I let them know that and they agreed to help me. They were wonderfully kind.

The core stability exercises in the pool helped me no end.

You will be exhausted afterwards.

But it's worth it!

Hi Natalie

Really pleased all went well at the hydro - I went as well today !

I think it is easy to overdo it in the water so take it very slowly at first, hopefully you have a physio there to give you good advice about the type of exercises you need to do. I have been going once a week for about four months now and know it really helps with aches and pains I have in my shoulders and arms.

Hope all continues to go well for you

Julia x

glad you had a good time,the stiffness will ease up you just need to know how far you can go,the physio should be able to help on that,i still go to aqua zumba bit more energy than normall aqua robics etc,i feel it helps but i do stop if i think the oh! oh! too far,good for you,dorothy.

jane, try enquiring at your nearest health club about your needs,i have a friend who has mobility issues and she joined our local warners,(after so many dissapointments at pools,) they put a ramp in for her at the pool and after she is in it gets taken away till she is ready to come out,also one of the gym instructors is always on hand while she is there,i did go 1 time with her and it was really good to see how she was taken care of,i know she tends to phone first and makes her swim on their quiet time but it works for her,i had a ball the day i went they waited on her/us the whole time but then she is a paying member,dorothy.

Wow that pool sounds great!