Water-based exercise for knee and hip osteoarthritis

Your doctor has recommended water-based exercise for your hip or knee joint pain.

What is water-based exercise?

• Water-based exercise means exercising in a pool, which is usually heated. The water is usually chest deep. Water-based exercise is also known as ‘hydrotherapy’ or ‘pool therapy’.
• The types of exercises may include those that help with:
  • flexibility – stretching and range of movement exercises
  • strengthening your muscles
  • balance
  • overall (aerobic) fitness – exercises that increase your heart rate
• Spa treatments are not water-based exercise.

How can water-based exercise help with osteoarthritis?

• Water-based exercise can help improve muscle strength, joint flexibility, coordination and balance. All this can improve your ability to do everyday activities.
• Exercising in water can be easier and more comfortable than exercising on land. The water helps to support your body weight, which reduces pressure on your joints. Being in warm water can also reduce joint pain and relax your muscles.

How do I get started?

• If you are new to water-based exercise, you can join a program that is run by a physiotherapist or a trained instructor in a hydrotherapy pool. Hydrotherapy pools are usually heated to 32–36°C. They can be found at some hospitals, rehabilitation centres, physiotherapy clinics and community leisure centres. The pools usually have a ramp or gentle stairs with a rail to make it easier to get in and out.
• Before starting the program, you will usually be assessed to make sure the exercises meet your needs.
• To get the most benefit, exercises should be made more difficult over time (e.g. do harder exercises, move faster, repeat the movement more times or exercise for longer).
• After the program ends, you can continue your water-based exercise by going to your local pool and exercising on your own or by joining other water exercise classes. You need to exercise two or three times a week.

Safety

• Water-based exercise is generally safe. When you first start, you may have a mild, temporary discomfort in your muscles and joints. This is normal and should not make you stop exercising. Start slowly and make the exercise more difficult or longer over time.
• You do not need to know how to swim or have to put your head in the water but you do need to feel comfortable walking in the pool.