Hydrotherapy August 2026 6 min read

Hydrotherapy for Arthritis: What to Expect

For many people living with arthritis, land-based exercise can feel impossible — every movement loaded by painful, stiff joints. Hydrotherapy changes that equation entirely, using the properties of warm water to make movement accessible again.

Why hydrotherapy works so well for arthritis

Hydrotherapy — exercise performed in a warm therapeutic pool, typically 33-36°C — offers several properties that make it uniquely suited to arthritis:

  • Buoyancy — water supports up to 90% of your body weight when immersed to shoulder height, dramatically reducing the load on painful hip, knee and spine joints
  • Warmth — warm water increases blood flow, relaxes muscles and reduces the stiffness that makes arthritis movement painful
  • Hydrostatic pressure — the pressure of water against the body reduces swelling and provides gentle compression that many people find soothing
  • Resistance without impact — water provides natural resistance for strengthening, without the jarring impact of land-based exercise
  • Reduced fear of falling — the water environment feels safer for people worried about falls, encouraging more confident movement

Evidence base: Multiple clinical studies support hydrotherapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, showing improvements in pain, joint stiffness, physical function and quality of life. Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) recognises aquatic exercise as an effective evidence-based intervention for arthritis management.

What happens in a hydrotherapy session for arthritis

Your accredited exercise physiologist designs a program specific to your arthritis type, affected joints and current capacity. A typical session includes:

  • Gentle warm-up — walking or simple movements in the water to ease into the session
  • Range of motion exercises — moving affected joints through their available range in a supported, pain-reduced environment
  • Strengthening exercises — using water resistance to build strength around affected joints without land-based impact
  • Functional movement practice — activities like walking, stepping and balance work that translate to daily function on land
  • Cool-down and stretching — using the warmth of the water to ease muscles before finishing

What types of arthritis benefit from hydrotherapy?

  • Osteoarthritis — particularly hip, knee and spine
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
  • Gout (once acute flare has settled)
  • Post-joint replacement rehabilitation

Land exercise still matters: Hydrotherapy is an excellent starting point or complement to a broader exercise program, but most people with arthritis benefit from combining it with land-based strength and mobility work as tolerated. Your exercise physiologist can design a combined program that uses both.

How is hydrotherapy funded?

  • Medicare CDM — arthritis qualifies for a GP Management Plan, enabling up to five rebated sessions per year
  • NDIS — where arthritis contributes to an eligible disability, hydrotherapy is fundable under Capacity Building
  • Aged care — hydrotherapy is a fully-funded Clinical Support under Support at Home
  • Private health — most extras policies covering exercise physiology apply

Hydrotherapy for arthritis in south-east Melbourne

Exercare provides hydrotherapy sessions for arthritis across south-east Melbourne, delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist. NDIS, Medicare, aged care and private health accepted.

Learn about hydrotherapy Medicare & private intake

Written by the Exercare team. Exercare provides hydrotherapy for arthritis across south-east Melbourne. Learn more about our hydrotherapy service →