It’s long been known that hydrotherapy is incredibly beneficial for individuals with limited mobility. Various specific physiotherapy exercises carried out in warm water have been proven to alleviate physical complaints as well as benefit the mind.
We were delighted to hear from independent hydrotherapists working with our clients that vast improvements had been reported after sessions in the pool.
We know it works. And it’s becoming more and more frequent for solicitors and case managers to recommend hydrotherapy at home, but the question remains…
Is home hydrotherapy an achievable solution?
First, let’s look at what hydrotherapy is and how it can enhance the life of those with limited mobility.
The Benefits Of Hydrotherapy
Occupational therapists and other health professionals often prescribe hydrotherapy as a complementary therapy within a wider treatment plan.
Some of the benefits of water-based therapy include:
Pain And Tension Relief
The weightlessness experienced during water therapy relieves the tension and pressure held in the body, meaning the user relaxes and the endorphins responsible for relieving pain are released.
Less Stress
Living with chronic pain and serious medical conditions can be mentally debilitating and cause high levels of stress in patients. What’s more, is that a body experiencing chronic stress is far less efficient at effective rehabilitation. Hydrotherapy can help by improving the quality of sleep and lowering blood pressure, among other benefits.
Improved Circulation
Hydrotherapy encourages better blood flow around the body, enabling the organs to function more efficiently. It also increases the circulation of white blood cells, which in turn, aids the patient to fight illness and infection.
For patients with limited mobility, experiencing buoyancy and the freedom of moving their body in the water can feel extremely empowering and improve mental health. That, as well as offering numerous other physical benefits like those listed above, makes hydrotherapy a surefire winner.
How Much Does A Hydrotherapy Pool Cost?
Hydrotherapy pools are specialist items, and the main factor to consider when determining the price of a hydro pool is its size.
Unsurprisingly, a bigger pool is going to cost more.
Hydrotherapy pools can start anywhere from £95,000 up to more than £350,000 depending on the following factors:
- Heating and filtration. Hydro pools require specific heating and filtration specifications due to the temperatures involved in water therapy. Air handling is also vital given the sheer volume of humidity and condensation that such high temperatures, often over 36℃, create.
- Plant room location. Every hydrotherapy pool needs a water treatment plant room. Here, filtration, water temperature and the right chemical balances are maintained. The closer to the pool the plant room is, the cheaper it is to service the pool. In a few cases a pool can have the plant room built into the shell – but this is sometimes detrimental to its treatment capabilities.
- Environmental controls. A room containing a hydro pool is hot and damp, and environmental controls are needed for reducing humidity.
- Installation cost. Different pools require varying levels of technical installation. Stainless steel pools are easier to erect, whereas tiled pools, though cheaper to buy, take longer to put together and involve higher labour costs.
- Optional extras. Lights, jets and access steps, among other personalisations, will also up the overall cost of a hydrotherapy pool.
It’s important to think about the ongoing running costs of building a hydrotherapy pool in a home setting. Many families choose to install a pool following an insurance or compensation payout but forget to factor in funding longer-term maintenance costs.
Legally, a hydrotherapy pool needs to be more than just a swimming pool. It has to tick certain boxes, which have been predetermined by past cases. We can assist with the legal ins and outs of installation to see if any of it can be exempt from VAT.
How Long Does It Take To Install A Hydro Pool?
The time it takes to build a fully operational pool depends on the type of pool being installed, and whether the project hits any barriers along the way.
For example, stainless steel pools take far less time erect than concrete, fibreglass or tiled versions. But, with all pools, groundwork and excavation time must also be considered.
Projects usually take around 6-8 weeks to complete (built into a preconstructed area) but are subject to delays in the face of unforeseen issues.
How Much Space Is Needed?
The smallest size we would recommend for a domestic hydrotherapy pool is 5.4m2. Hydro pools are typically used by two people, the user and their therapist.
If the pool is also going to be used recreationally by family members, it will need to be much bigger. For a family of five, the minimum pool size should be around the 13.5m2 mark to ensure all users have enough room.
Regular Hydrotherapy Improves Quality of Life
And how better for those with reduced mobility to access it than from the comfort of their own home?
The more that’s understood about the choosing and planning stages of installing a hydrotherapy pool in a home setting, the more cost-effective the decision can be.
Want to chat through some of the options before committing? The John Ford Group are expert in managing the pre-construction process and beyond. Book a consultation with us today by calling 01245 267333.