What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy — also called aquatic therapy — is physiotherapy carried out in a warm pool. The water gently supports a child’s body weight, which can make movements that are difficult on land feel easier and safer to practise. The warmth helps muscles relax, and the gentle resistance of the water helps build strength.
For many children with cerebral palsy, the pool is a place where they can move in ways they can’t elsewhere — and that freedom is often as good for confidence as it is for the body.
What it might look like for your child
A therapist works with your child in the water on movements, balance, posture and strength, often using floats and games to keep it fun. Sessions are warm, calm and play-based. The buoyancy means children can attempt standing, stepping or reaching with less effort and less fear of falling.
Our pool is in the same building as our other therapies, so children can move easily between water-based and land-based sessions without travelling elsewhere.
What the research says
A 2025 systematic review of randomised controlled trials found that aquatic exercise improved gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy compared with routine rehabilitation, and reported reductions in muscle tension.1
A 2025 systematic review with meta-analysis comparing water-based and land-based exercise found aquatic programmes can support gross motor function, while noting that more high-quality trials are still needed.2 As with all our therapies, we’re honest that the evidence base is still growing, and we use hydrotherapy as part of an individually-tailored programme.
Why it matters for families
Time in the water can ease tight muscles, support movement that's hard on land, and give children a real sense of achievement and enjoyment. Many families find it's a session their child genuinely looks forward to.