Lipoedema is a condition that affects millions of women, but many have never even heard of it. If you’ve noticed persistent swelling, tenderness, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs or arms that doesn’t match your overall body weight, lipoedema might be the missing piece.
What Is Lipoedema?
Despite being first described in 1940s, not much is known about lipoedema. What we do know is that lipoedema is a chronic fat disorder that mostly affects women, causing an uneven buildup of fat, typically from the hips to the ankles or from the upper arms to the wrists. Unlike obesity and general weight gain, the hands and feet are usually not affected, and lipoedema symptoms include:
· Painful, heavy limbs
· Swelling that worsens throughout the day
· Easy bruising
· Difficulty with mobility and exercise
· Genetic component
Lipoedema is not caused by lifestyle choices, and it's often confused with obesity or lymphoedema. It can be frustrating and even isolating, but there are ways to manage it.
Why Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy, involves doing gentle exercises in a warm water pool, under the guidance of a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.
Water offers a unique environment for movement and healing. Here’s how it can help people with lipoedema:
Key Benefits of Hydrotherapy
1. Reduced Swelling
Water’s natural pressure (called hydrostatic pressure) helps move excess fluid out of the limbs, reducing that heavy, swollen feeling many people with lipoedema experience.
2. Easier, Low-Impact Movement
The buoyancy of water supports your body weight, making it easier and less painful to move. Even walking in the water feels lighter on the joints and muscles.
3. Pain Relief
Warm water can help relax muscles and ease pain, while gentle movement in water helps strengthen muscles and improve circulation without causing strain.
4. Improved Mobility and Flexibility
Water allows for a greater range of motion than on land, especially if stiffness or pain usually limits your movement.
5. Supports Lymphatic Flow
Though lipoedema isn’t caused by a faulty lymphatic system, improving circulation and lymphatic drainage can reduce symptoms like swelling and heaviness.
6. All the amazing and wonderful benefits of exercise
Activity can help with overall health and energy—and feeling strong and mobile again can boost your mental well-being too.
What Does Hydrotherapy Look Like?
Hydrotherapy sessions might include:
· Water walking: Great for circulation and leg strength
· Aquatic aerobics: Low-impact cardio in a fun group setting
· Swimming or floating exercises: Builds strength with gentle resistance
· Tailored pool exercises: Guided by a physiotherapist to focus on pain, mobility, and balance
No swimming skills required—just a willingness to try something new in a safe, supportive environment.
Things to Keep in Mind
· Start slow: Listen to your body and take breaks when needed.
· Consult a professional: A physiotherapist trained in lipoedema care can tailor a plan to your needs.
· Combine therapies: Hydrotherapy works best alongside other approaches like compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and healthy lifestyle support.
· Stay consistent: Like all treatments, consistency is key: small, regular sessions go a long way.
Meet our newest physiotherapist, Oliva! 🤩
This service is led by Olivia Jones, a physiotherapist with advanced training in oncology rehabilitation and lymphoedema therapy.
Olivia joins our multidisciplinary team of musculoskeletal, hydrotherapy, neuro, and rehabilitation physiotherapists, as well as exercise physiologists, to provide comprehensive care in lymphoedema management and rehabilitation.
Want to find out more information or book your first consultation?
