Page 35 - Waterfall City Issue 10 October 2023

GERON

HYDROTHERAPY

Why bulls like water

By Maria Gerondoudis, a clinical hydrotherapist who works closely with Waterfall Sports
Orthopaedic Surgery and several medical practitioners in the Greater Johannesburg region.

H ere’s a phenomenon that’s anti-inflammatory drugs, which enable exercise, which involves moving a joint

commonly observed: after
the individual to continue using an
through its existing pain-free range.
unstable or degenerate joint.
Through repetition of movement,
competitive combat, bulls
seek water. Whether a bull
gently challenged. Movements are
comprehends the multitudinous Prior injuries can predispose the the limits of the pain-free range are
benefits of water is questionable and joint to osteoarthritis, and the pain initially unresisted and then progress
of little relevance. What the bull knows experienced in this condition is mainly to resisted actions once the pain and
is that countless bulls before him due to arthritic changes that occur range of movement improve.
have used it and that the immersion within the joint.
gives him respite from the weight of Movements are initially slow and there is
his body – the swirls soothe his aches The Geron Hydrotherapy technique is a large focus on maintaining alignment.
and pains, movement is looser and a therapeutic approach that draws on Speed is increased as the strength and
easier, and he can exhale safely. various hydrotherapeutic methods, pain-free range increase with time.
such as aquatic remedial exercise and
Perhaps I have stated the obvious, but aquatic bodywork. It follows a defined The remaining 30 minutes is spent on
often, what seems simple, natural and sequence and set of protocols. It the passive phase of the treatment.
familiar is far more complex than we first requires that the body (not the head) This involves the patient lying in a
assume. The same goes for water in its be immersed in thermoneutral water. supported floating position while
simplicity, familiarity and complexity. It uses the mechanical and thermal the therapist works on the patient’s
effects of water, together with active body. The patient is kept buoyant
To explain what Geron Hydrotherapy and passive techniques, to address with specialised floats under the
is, I will use a physical condition as an both the acute and chronic symptoms head and legs. This ensures that the
example. I’ve selected arthritis, the that present in the recovery and muscle groups are relaxed. There is
inflammation of one or more joints. maintenance of osteoarthritis. also a specially designed head pillow
Symptoms of arthritis include pain, that provides neutral alignment. Both
swelling, warmth, redness of overlying Treatment takes one hour. Typically, pillows and floats are adjustable for
skin, and diminished range of joint 30 minutes is spent on remedial different sizes, buoyancies and ages.
motion.

I have narrowed my selection down to
osteoarthritis as it is the most common
form of arthritis that develops in
sportspeople. It often occurs because
of incorrect training methods or the
overuse or abuse of analgesics and

Waterfall City Issue 10 2023 33