Most physiotherapy clinics don’t have a hydrotherapy pool. We do. Heated to 36°C – the warmest clinical pool in East London – LPAW’s on-site pool at our Bow flagship clinic is one of the few truly therapeutic aquatic facilities in the region. It is not a leisure pool. It is a clinical tool, used by our physiotherapists to deliver outcomes that land-based therapy alone cannot achieve.
If you’re recovering from joint replacement surgery, managing chronic pain, living with fibromyalgia, or returning from a serious injury, hydrotherapy may be the most important treatment you haven’t tried yet.
The science behind hydrotherapy is not complicated, but its clinical effects are profound. Three properties of warm water work together to make movement possible — and beneficial — for people who cannot tolerate the same exercise on land.
Buoyancy reduces load on joints.
When submerged to the neck, the body experiences only 10% of its normal weight. At waist depth, approximately 50%. This means patients with severe joint pain, early post-surgical weight-bearing restrictions, or osteoarthritis can move their joints through full range of motion without the compressive forces that cause pain on land.
Warmth reduces muscle spasm and increases circulation.
At 36°C, the water temperature matches or slightly exceeds core body temperature. This causes vasodilation — blood vessels widen, circulation to muscles and soft tissue increases, and muscle spasm reduces. For conditions like chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, and polymyalgia rheumatica, this effect alone can provide meaningful relief that persists beyond the session.
Hydrostatic pressure provides natural compression.
Water exerts uniform pressure on all submerged surfaces. This reduces swelling, supports joint proprioception (the body’s sense of joint position in space), and provides a gentle resistance against which muscles must work — building strength without loading joints.
Resistance aids progressive strengthening.
Water provides 12 times the resistance of air. This allows physiotherapists to design progressive strengthening programmes that are challenging without being high-impact.
Hydrotherapy at LPAW is used for a wide range of conditions. Our pool is particularly valuable for:
Post-surgical rehabilitation:
Following hip or knee replacement, the pool allows early mobilisation before patients can safely bear full weight on land.
Chronic back pain and sciatica:
Patients who have reached a plateau with land-based physiotherapy often make significant progress in the pool.
Fibromyalgia and widespread chronic pain:
The warmth and buoyancy of the pool make it one of the most effective environments for people with fibromyalgia.
Polymyalgia rheumatica:
The combination of warmth, gentle resistance, and buoyancy makes hydrotherapy particularly suited to polymyalgia patients.
Neurological rehabilitation:
Patients with neurological conditions — including stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease — benefit from the supported, low-risk environment.
Knee pain and hip pain:
Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee responds well to aquatic exercise.
Paediatric conditions:
Our pool is also used for paediatric hydrotherapy — see Babies & Children for conditions including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and hypermobility.
Antenatal and postnatal care:
The warm, buoyant environment is safe and effective for pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain and postnatal rehabilitation.
For complex or chronic cases, physiotherapy is often combined with hydrotherapy or Med-X spinal rehabilitation as part of a structured multi-modal plan.
Temperature: 36°C. This is warmer than most leisure centres and hospital hydrotherapy pools. At 36°C, the vasodilatory and muscle relaxation effects are maximised.
On-site clinical facility. Our pool is located within our Bow clinic, adjacent to our treatment rooms. Sessions are delivered by LPAW physiotherapists who can combine pool time with land-based treatment.
Private pool access. Sessions are not shared with leisure swimmers. Your hydrotherapy appointment is a clinical session with your physiotherapist.
Equipment. The pool is equipped with therapeutic aids including floats, resistance tools, steps, and support rails.
You will not be told come back every week indefinitely. You will be given a specific plan.
Swimming and hydrotherapy both take place in water, but they are fundamentally different activities.
Swimming is predominantly cardiovascular exercise. Hydrotherapy is clinical treatment delivered by a qualified physiotherapist, targeting specific musculoskeletal or neurological objectives. The water temperature, depth, speed of movement, and specific exercises are all prescribed and monitored by your clinician. Hydrotherapy achieves outcomes that swimming — even gentle swimming — cannot replicate.
The science behind hydrotherapy is not complicated, but its clinical effects are profound. Three properties of warm water work together to make movement possible — and beneficial — for people who cannot tolerate the same exercise on land.
Buoyancy reduces load on joints. When submerged to the neck, the body experiences only 10% of its normal weight. At waist depth, approximately 50%. This means patients with severe joint pain, early post-surgical weight-bearing restrictions, or osteoarthritis can move their joints through full range of motion without the compressive forces that cause pain on land.
Warmth reduces muscle spasm and increases circulation. At 36°C, the water temperature matches or slightly exceeds core body temperature. This causes vasodilation — blood vessels widen, circulation to muscles and soft tissue increases, and muscle spasm reduces. For conditions like chronic back pain, fibromyalgia, and polymyalgia rheumatica, this effect alone can provide meaningful relief that persists beyond the session.
Hydrostatic pressure provides natural compression. Water exerts uniform pressure on all submerged surfaces. This reduces swelling, supports joint proprioception (the body’s sense of joint position in space), and provides a gentle resistance against which muscles must work — building strength without loading joints.
Resistance aids progressive strengthening. Water provides 12 times the resistance of air. This allows physiotherapists to design progressive strengthening programmes that are challenging without being high-impact.
Hydrotherapy at LPAW is used for a wide range of conditions. Our pool is particularly valuable for:
Post-surgical rehabilitation: Following hip or knee replacement, the pool allows early mobilisation before patients can safely bear full weight on land.
Chronic back pain and sciatica: Patients who have reached a plateau with land-based physiotherapy often make significant progress in the pool.
Fibromyalgia and widespread chronic pain: The warmth and buoyancy of the pool make it one of the most effective environments for people with fibromyalgia.
Polymyalgia rheumatica: The combination of warmth, gentle resistance, and buoyancy makes hydrotherapy particularly suited to polymyalgia patients.
Neurological rehabilitation: Patients with neurological conditions — including stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease — benefit from the supported, low-risk environment.
Knee pain and hip pain: Osteoarthritis of the hip and knee responds well to aquatic exercise.
Paediatric conditions: Our pool is also used for paediatric hydrotherapy — see Babies & Children for conditions including cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and hypermobility.
Antenatal and postnatal care: The warm, buoyant environment is safe and effective for pregnancy-related musculoskeletal pain and postnatal rehabilitation.
Temperature: 36°C. This is warmer than most leisure centres and hospital hydrotherapy pools. At 36°C, the vasodilatory and muscle relaxation effects are maximised.
On-site clinical facility. Our pool is located within our Bow clinic, adjacent to our treatment rooms. Sessions are delivered by LPAW physiotherapists who can combine pool time with land-based treatment.
Private pool access. Sessions are not shared with leisure swimmers. Your hydrotherapy appointment is a clinical session with your physiotherapist.
Equipment. The pool is equipped with therapeutic aids including floats, resistance tools, steps, and support rails.
Swimming and hydrotherapy both take place in water, but they are fundamentally different activities.
Swimming is predominantly cardiovascular exercise. Hydrotherapy is clinical treatment delivered by a qualified physiotherapist, targeting specific musculoskeletal or neurological objectives. The water temperature, depth, speed of movement, and specific exercises are all prescribed and monitored by your clinician. Hydrotherapy achieves outcomes that swimming — even gentle swimming — cannot replicate.
LPAW’s clinical team includes 19 practitioners, many holding postgraduate qualifications from UCL, King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’. Lead clinician Mr Arjun Viswanath MSc, MCSP, MPPA – Co-Founder and Consultant Physiotherapist – brings 25+ years of NHS and private experience including BMI London Independent Hospital and Harley Street.
Every clinician joining LPAW completes a mandatory intensive shadowing placement with our Consultant Physiotherapist before seeing patients independently. This is not a standard practice at most clinics – it’s our way of maintaining clinical consistency across the team.
No. Hydrotherapy is conducted in shallow water with physiotherapist supervision and support. Most exercises are performed standing or holding a support rail. Being able to swim is not a requirement.
Yes – when the surgical wound has healed and your surgeon has cleared you for pool use. LPAW works within your surgical protocol and will confirm clearance with your team before your first pool session. Hydrotherapy is one of the most evidence-supported post-surgical rehabilitation tools available for hip and knee replacement recovery.
36°C. This is deliberately warmer than leisure and most hospital pools — therapeutic warmth that aids muscle relaxation, reduces spasm, and improves circulation. It is comfortable to enter and you will not feel cold.
This varies by condition and goal. Post-surgical patients typically benefit from 6–12 sessions, often combined with land-based physiotherapy. Chronic pain patients may use the pool more regularly, either via clinical sessions or self-use membership. Your physiotherapist will recommend a course at your initial assessment.
Yes. We offer paediatric hydrotherapy sessions with our specialist paediatric physiotherapists. See our Babies & Children page for more detail.
Contraindications include open wounds or active skin infections, uncontrolled epilepsy, uncontrolled incontinence, acute fever or infection, and some cardiovascular conditions. Your physiotherapist will screen you for suitability at your initial assessment.
Clinical sessions are for patients with a treatment plan. However, self-use memberships are available for suitable patients — see Memberships for details.
The hydrotherapy pool is at our Bow flagship clinic: 46–52 Fairfield Road, Bow, London E3 2QA – a short walk from Bow Church DLR station. The pool is not available at our Stratford site.
Before you arrive: The only thing you’ll need is swimwear and flip-flops. The clinic provides large bath towels. If you have any open wounds, active skin infections, or uncontrolled incontinence, please let us know in advance – these may temporarily contraindicate pool use.
At the clinic: There are changing rooms, showers, and lockers at our Bow site. Your physiotherapist will meet you poolside and briefly discuss the session plan before you enter the water.
In the pool: Your physiotherapist will be poolside (or in the pool with you, depending on your needs) directing specific exercises. Regular sessions are typically 30 minutes, while initial appointments are 45-60min. The warm water means most patients feel comfortable within a few minutes of entering.
After the session: You may feel pleasantly fatigued – this is normal and indicates your muscles have worked. Drink water, and don’t be surprised if pain levels are lower than usual for several hours after the session. Some patients report improved sleep following hydrotherapy.
Before you arrive: The only thing you’ll need is swimwear and flip-flops. The clinic provides large bath towels. If you have any open wounds, active skin infections, or uncontrolled incontinence, please let us know in advance – these may temporarily contraindicate pool use.
At the clinic: There are changing rooms, showers, and lockers at our Bow site. Your physiotherapist will meet you poolside and briefly discuss the session plan before you enter the water.
In the pool: Your physiotherapist will be poolside (or in the pool with you, depending on your needs) directing specific exercises. Regular sessions are typically 30 minutes, while initial appointments are 45-60min. The warm water means most patients feel comfortable within a few minutes of entering.
After the session: You may feel pleasantly fatigued – this is normal and indicates your muscles have worked. Drink water, and don’t be surprised if pain levels are lower than usual for several hours after the session. Some patients report improved sleep following hydrotherapy.
