What is hydrotherapy? Hydrotherapy is derived from the Greek word meaning water healing. It is controlled aquatic exercise in heated sanitized water. A combination of warmth, buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure reduces pain and swelling, promotes muscle relaxation and improves circulation and healing. The warmth of the water will relax the muscles. A decrease in range of motion can often be due to pain, swelling and/or stiffness which can be reduced by the warm water. Hydrostatic pressure (the pressure of the water on the animal) can also reduce swelling and therefore possibly increase the range or motion. The buoyancy of the water decreases the weight bearing on the limbs. The buoyancy of the water will help move the stiff joint with further range of movement with minimal exercise. This helps to reduce pain and can allow easier movement with minimal exercise. Find out more about this service here!