Hydrotherapy
WHAT IS HYDROTHERAPY?
Hydrotherapy is the use of water at an increased temperature for the maintenance of health, the treatment of disability, the relief of pain and the promotion of physical wellbeing.
St. Gabriel’s hydrotherapy pool is heated and maintained at 32˚ Celsius, which is approximately 6˚ higher than a regular pool. The surrounding poolside air temperature is maintained at 29˚ Celsius. The higher water temperature helps to lessen muscle stiffness, ease muscle spasm and reduce pain, which allows for a wider range of motion and more effective rehabilitation following injuries and surgery.
Hydrotherapy can also improve balance, motor skills, co-ordination, posture and gait. For wheelchair users, the warm water allows freedom of movement that they would otherwise find unachievable.
Water provides an ideal environment for creating enjoyable social experiences for children. Providing a setting in which children with disabilities can move more freely allows them to exercise more control over the extent, duration and content of a therapy session. This means, for example, that they can move away, disengage or reach out for objects as they please. Furthermore, water play is a multi-faceted learning activity that can diffuse the severity of a complex activity for a disabled child or adult.
Ease of Access
Ease of access for wheelchair users or people with impaired mobility both inside and outside the building was a major consideration in the design of the building. The hydrotherapy pool is equipped with a poolside hoist, which, when attached to either a special chair or bed, can be lowered into the water. Both male and female dressing rooms have ceiling hoists, shower chairs, shower beds and plinths.
St.Gabriel’s Hydrotherapy Pool Open Sessions
Individuals and groups can avail of open sessions in the hydrotherapy pool during the following times:
Monday: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Tuesday: 5:15 - 6:45 pm
Wednesday: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
For further information on the hydrotherapy pool, please contact:
Dorothy Shine, Pool Manager
St.Gabriel’s Centre
Limerick
Tel: 061 302733
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
