Hydrotherapy Systems & Supplies

What is Hydrotherapy?

Using water for therapy is a practice as old as the human race. Because immersing the body in water decreases body weight by as much as 90%, this weightless lack of gravity by itself is wonderfully therapeutic. While it may also be known as aquatic therapy that takes place in pools, hydrotherapy employs air or water jets and is more specifically performed with tubs made for this purpose. Although warm or hot water is primarily used, cold water or a combination of both hot and cold may be more appropriate for certain types of therapy.

Hydrotherapy encourages neural reflex effects via the temperature and pressure changes provided by the moving water. Vasoconstriction and vasodilatation are enhanced, improving circulation and lymph movement throughout the body. This aids in toxin removal, and gets more nutritious blood flowing in and out of the affected, painful areas of the body, resulting in quicker healing. Warm and hot water heightens relaxation responses, alleviating stress, calming the nervous system, and unwinding tightened muscles.

Soaking in warm or hot water can also reduce respiratory system complaints, such as bronchitis and asthma, as the moist heat helps to clear congested lungs and sinuses. Utilizing a mix of both hot and cold water can help normalize endocrine system issues, induce energy, treat headaches, and help a host of other disorders. Learn more about the specific benefits of both hot water hydrotherapy and cold water hydrotherapy here: Types of whirlpool tubs.

What Type of Hydrotherapy Tub or Whirlpool is Best?

Determining the best hydrotherapy tub or whirlpool is dependent upon the purposes and applications the tub will be providing. Medical professionals like podiatrists, chiropractors, hand therapists, athletic trainers, physical therapists and occupational therapists will employ different sizes of whirlpool tubs for their practices. For home use, walk-in and side-access bathtubs will be more appropriate for use by the elderly, disabled and those recovering from illness, injury, and after surgery. Long-term care facilities may use a combination of both for their residents, while spas typically utilize the whirlpool tanks.

Whirlpool Tubs and Tanks
Available in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, whirlpool tubs and tanks are used by many types of healthcare professionals for both treatment and prevention. Constructed with seamless stainless steel and powder-coated for added durability and easier maintenance, they can range in size from 4 gallon to over 100 gallon capacities.

Smaller sizes can be placed on a tabletop, or used on the floor. They are often used by podiatrists and hand therapists for hydrotherapy treatments of the hand or foot. Slightly larger sized tanks are employed for other extremity applications, such as for the ankle, leg, elbow or forearm. The largest whirlpool tubs are used for whole body immersion hydrotherapies.

Hydrotherapy whirlpool tanks often include features that not only make the experience more comfortable for the patient, but also for the therapist. Ergonomic designs ensure ease of use for the practitioner to access the patient as needed, while they also provide comfort for the patient during hydrotherapy treatment sessions. Although the tub configurations are generally oval in shape, they can be tall, short or wide to better accommodate the intended users, especially for whole body immersion.

Some popular features to look for in a whirlpool tank include temperature control and monitoring, height adjustability, water agitation direction changeability, quiet operation, and locking caster wheels for portability.

Walk-in and Side Access Hydrotherapy Bathtubs
For those who experience challenges with getting in or out of a regular bathtub, walk-in bathtubs are the perfect solution. The elderly, the disabled, and those recovering from injury, illness or surgery can enjoy all the therapeutic benefits of hydrotherapy with a walk-in, side access whirlpool bathtub. Available in an assortment of styles, sizes, and configurations, everyone is sure to find the right match for their particular needs, and the size requirements of their existing bathroom.

Although there are other types of accessible bathtubs available in this category, most walk-in bathtubs highlight a watertight, side accessible door. Design choices include an inward or outward opening door, with some models featuring wider doors and lower curb-thresholds for easier wheelchair accessibility and patient transfers. All walk-in bathtubs include a comfortable, slide resistant, built-in seat, with many models offering ADA compliance. The user opens the door to an empty tub, sits down, closes the door, and lets the water flow into the tub. Once the bath or hydrotherapy session is finished, the user drains the tub, opens the door and walks out.

Walk-in bathtubs are constructed from highly durable materials such as fiberglass and acrylic. Even though acrylic designs contain fiberglass, they are generally easier to maintain than just fiberglass construction by itself. They are both highly durable with repetitive water usage, but fiberglass may become discolored over time. While acrylic construction may be more expensive, it may also be the more cost-effective choice for the long-term.

Walk-in and side access bathtubs usually include whirlpool capabilities for hydrotherapy with either water jets, air jets, or a combination of both. They are specifically designed to be watertight when the door is closed, with fail-safes, state-of-the-art pumping and draining systems, and high-tech enclosure sealings to ensure a safe and relaxing hydrotherapy experience. Other accoutrements include water temperature regulation, slide-resistant flooring and seating, bariatric accommodations, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy.

What Can Hydrotherapy Help?

The benefits of warm, hot or cold hydrotherapy are seemingly endless—just about any health condition can improve with the use of jetted, moving water. Although the effects are generally positive, there are some conditions that hydrotherapy may be contraindicated for, so it is always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if hydrotherapy is right for you.

The following is just a “short” list of conditions that may be mitigated or more easily managed with the employment of regular hydrotherapy sessions—stress, depression, fear, anxiety, insomnia, pain, poor circulation, lymphatic problems, cellulite, digestive problems, intestinal problems, coldness, hypothermia, cardiovascular disorders, musculoskeletal pain-strains-sprains-fractures, arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, post-surgery, neurological conditions, colds and flu, headaches, migraines, acne and other skin problems, wounds, respiratory problems, endocrine disorders, adrenal gland imbalances, low immunity and auto-immune problems, inflammatory disorders, blood sugar imbalances/diabetes, low energy/fatigue (cold water hydrotherapy), and varicose veins (cold water hydrotherapy).

Hydrotherapy Accessories

The accessories for hydrotherapy are inclusive of turbine assemblies, whirlpool lifts, water additives, and disposable clothing to wear while receiving hydrotherapy sessions outside the home.

Turbine Assemblies
Available in a range of sizes to fit a variety of differently sized tubs and tanks, the stationary or mobile turbine assembly provides the water agitation within the whirlpool. Although most whirlpool tubs and tanks come standard with their own turbine, assemblies and tubs can also be purchased separately for further customization requirements.

Whirlpool Lifts
Especially convenient for a variety of healthcare practitioners, specially designed whirlpool lifts can raise or lower the tub or tank to treat both upper and lower extremities with ease. Lifts can securely accommodate a range of differently sized whirlpool tubs.

Water Additives
Water additives for whirlpool tubs and tanks include antiseptics and sanitizers to eradicate harmful microorganisms, and anti-foaming products that eliminate excessive foaming, even in the presence of soaps and detergents.

Disposable Garments
Providing limited use wear, disposable garments are specifically designed to provide body coverage during hydrotherapy. From boxer shorts for men and boys to tops, shorts and bikinis for women and girls, all styles feature easy drawstrings, tie-strings and elastics to attach the clothing securely. Available in a wide range of sizes, disposable hydrotherapy clothing stays opaque when wet, and is tough enough to reuse, but inexpensive enough to use just one time. This type of temporary clothing is often used in hospitals, sports medicine facilities, clinics, training rooms and hotel pools.

Rehabmart is proud to offer a stellar selection of superior quality hydrotherapy tubs and accessories for both professional and home usage from such outstanding vendors as Safe Bathing NC, Whitehall Manufacturing, Invacare Continuing Care Group, Fabrication Enterprises, and North Coast.