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2-3 sessions a week of aquatic exercise for at least 6 weeks has been shown to lead to improvements in movement, walking or pain for people with musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis and following knee surgery. Find out more about the research as well as tips from people who have tried aquatic exercise here.
Exercising when you have pain or arthritis is tough. It's difficult to know if you're on the right track and difficult to stay motivated. The Hydro Functional Programs are for you if you want to kickstart your way into a healthier and more active life.
We use aquatic exercise, individualised to you, to support you for 6-weeks. It is done by email and video and you can head along to your local pool to do the exercise.
To join the program you need to be able to commit (and excited) to exercise in the pool twice a week for 6 weeks. You can do these sessions at any time that suits you. This is not a class, this is a program that you do by yourself (guided by us).
Research shows you need at least 6 weeks to see improvements. Our program is a kickstarter to being more proactive with how active, strong and fit you want to be.
After the 6-weeks, we help you make some choices about the longer term options for trying new classes or exercises or progressing your aquatic program. There are lots of options, the tough decision is committing to start.
This program is for people who:
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Find exercise challenging due to knee pain or arthritis
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Want to improve their leg power, fitness or balance
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Would like professional guidance in getting back to exercise
Your Kickstarter Program includes:
A welcome pack with program details, activity diary and information on arthritis
A telehealth appointment with an aquatic physiotherapist to check your health status, leg movement and what you want to achieve
Weekly emails with your personalised video program links, you can play these on your smart phone or tablet… if you think this could be tricky for you, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Support from your aquatic physio during the program and support fromoptions for exercise after the program
The programs don't include direct supervision by a health professional on-site, so will not be suitable for people who
*need help getting in or out of the pool, or when exercising in water
*have complex health conditions or surgery in the past 3 months
If you are currently being treated for any health condition it is important to let us know so we can make sure the program is suitable for you
Interested? Please complete the Expression of Interest Form below
Need more details? see the Frequently Asked Questions about the program at the bottom of this page
If you're interested in joining this program
1. Please let us know using the form below
2. We will call you to discuss the health screening questionnaire
3. We will then review your health information and let you know if the program is right for you.
The program can start at a time that suits you. Please return the health screening questionnaire to us and then we can start with some ideas to get you moving even if you don't want to start your Kickstarter program in the pool just yet. We are living in uncertain times and we can start the program at any time that works for you.
There is no cost for the health screening process. If you are not suitable for the program then we will give you suggestions of where else to seek treatment.
The cost of the program has been discounted by 20% to $188. This is paid before your telehealth session. There may be a rebate for the Physiotherapy Telehealth session if you have private health insurance. Please check with your fund.
This is not a class. You do the program of exercises in the pool by yourself, guided by information from us.
You can attend the pool any time that works for you (sometimes you may need to book a time or check when are the best times to go).
It's a bonus if you have a friend or family member who may also want to go for a swim or already attends the gym so you can head to the centre with them. Otherwise it's a "Kickstarter" for you and your fitness, strength and balance so you may start out by yourself but then get into a routine and build confidence to join some other exercise groups after the program has finished. We'll help you with this.
If you have extras cover for Physiotherapy and if your Private Health Insurance includes teleheatlh appointments then it's likely you'll get something back. Call your Private Health Insurance to see if your cover includes a rebate for Physiotherapy telehealth sessions.
Yes, absolutely. You mainly need to be able to access your emails as this is where we will send your video program. You also need a phone or tablet or computer that you can watch the videos on. Many people that would consider themselves not to be computer experts have found they have enjoyed the program. We are here to support you. We have ways of making the program less reliant on the technology if you're a bit more of a pen and paper person.
Yes, you can. You need to be able to watch your video program and technique tips on a computer and then we'll give you written instructions also (that you can take to the pool).
No. You will need an email address for the program. You could ask a friend or family member to set one up for you.
It depends on your individual situation. In most circumstances, if you've recently had surgery it's best for you to follow a rehab program by a physio or exercise physiologist you've seen recently as they know exactly what is right for you. If you're more than 3 months after surgery and you'd like to join the program then we are happy to have you.
If you're on the waiting list for surgery then exercise to become a little stronger before the operation will be of benefit after the operation. Aquatic exercise is a comfortable way to exercise prior to your surgery except in situations where you are in extreme discomfort.
Your program can start when it suits you.
Please send in your Expression of Interest as early as possible.
If you have any questions please email physio@hydrofunctional.com
There are some great organisations producing some excellent material on arthritis, exercise and managing pain. Here are some of them
General information on osteoarthritis
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/osteoarthritis
https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-ofarthritis/osteoarthritis/
https://www.msk.org.au/osteoarthritis/
Or give Musculoskeletal Australia a freecall and (weekdays 9am-5pm) and speak to one of their clinically trained nurses and
experienced volunteers for
- Information on arthritis
- Information on how to negotiate the complex health, disability and social services systems
- community resources in your area.
1800 263 265 or email helpline@msk.org.au.
Information on managing pain and symptoms
Managing your pain A-Z guide
https://www.msk.org.au/pain-guide/
Information on exercise with osteoarthritis
https://www.msk.org.au/exercise
Information on recommended guidelines for physical activity to stay healthy
Australia's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines
Living Stronger from COTA - exercise classes and online exercise videos
https://www.cotavic.org.au/our-programs/strength-training/
https://www.together.vic.gov.au/fitness-wellbeing/living-stronger-exercise-series?
GLA:D AU exercise classes for hip and knee arthritis
No. Exercise programs designed by Health Professionals have controlled load which starts lower and gradually gets higher. Provided trauma is avoided (uncontrolled twisting or anything extreme), moderate exercise does not lead to acceleration of osteoarthritis. Exercise actually really helps people with arthritis get stronger, get moving and have less pain. Aquatic exercise has the added benefit of less vertical weight bearing load on the joint but can still push you hard with strengthening and also cardiovascular conditioning for your general health. Contact us to find out more. You can read more about the benefits of exercise and physical activity from Arthritis Australia here.
Quite a few people enjoy exercise in water and cannot swim. The pools we want you to exercise in need a shallow end where most exercises are done standing up. All the exercises are initially easier and then progressed to be more difficult as your confidence in water grows. You don't have to put your head under the water and you don't have to be able to swim.
Yes. High quality research in hip and knee osteoarthritis that our team has been involved in has shown aquatic exercise supervised and designed by a physiotherapist to be beneficial for pain, quality of life, walking and stair climbing. We have done more research recently to show how some exercises in the pool are less painful for people with knee arthritis.
There are no guarantees of success with any treatment program but aquatic exercise has a solid base of research, is a great environment to start in and all programs will be modified to suit you.