What is the main focus of hydrotherapy in physical therapy?

The main focus of hydrotherapy in physical therapy is therapeutic immersion. Hydrotherapy utilizes water's properties—such as buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and temperature—to create an environment conducive for rehabilitation and therapeutic exercises. Immersion in water reduces the impact of gravity on the body, making movements easier and less painful. This allows patients to perform exercises they may struggle with on land, ultimately aiding in their recovery.

Therapeutic immersion provides various benefits, including pain relief, improved circulation, and enhanced relaxation, but these are consequences of immersion rather than the primary focus itself. While muscle strengthening and rehabilitation are certainly goals achieved through hydrotherapy, they are best supported by the therapeutic properties found in the immersion process. Thus, the emphasis lies on how the water environment itself facilitates these outcomes to promote healing and functional improvement.