I have taken the following extract from a blog that I wrote a decade ago. Whenever a patient was able to follow up with these recommendations, results were extraordinary.

Thankfully some cities now have availability and better access to swimming pools but on a bigger scale our country has a long way to go for implementation of physical rehabilitation in its best form.

Hydrotherapy is more than swimming, it includes exercise patterns and methods that are regularly monitored by professionals. When used for treating pain or for physical rehabilitation swimming pool works as a good change from routine activity pattern and stress buster too.

Swimming as an exercise is much more useful than generally understood. Water provides a maintained resistance during movement, thus helping generalized toning of muscles. Chest is under constant pressure from all sides so it takes a slightly different effort from lungs as compared to lung function in any other exercise. 

It can be used by sports person to increase body flexibility and endurance. Aqua aerobics may be used to improve agility. Sri Lanka Cricket team used aqua aerobics widely before 1996 World Cup to increase fitness levels and this totally transformed the team which went on to win the tournament.

In past few years international athletes have used water exercises both during training and injury rehabilitation. Results are always good.

Generally swimming is a very safe exercise when it comes to injury rehabilitation, just that your physio or specialized hydro physio therapist needs to help you with quantifying your effort under water. Hydrotherapy as a part of medical rehabilitation is a widely accepted phenomenon in many parts of the world. Swimming as a leisure activity is a great way to destress. Slow prolonged swimming is as good as a massage session for general relaxation. 

Few factors that matter, if you want to take up swimming as an exercise are: 

  • Make sure the pool is hygienically well maintained. 
  • There should be no slippery floors or pool surface. 
  • Duration and technique of swimming that may help you the most, should be decided by professionals.
  • Never exceed your body limitations. 
  • People with ligament, muscle injury or any form of vertebral disc issues should do only specified exercises under water.

Stroke patients, children with special needs, paraplegic and quadriplegic patients can benefit immensely with hydrotherapy.