Richmond AquaPhysio Group

Richmond AquaPhysio Group is a voluntary self-financing community group that organizes group hydrotherapy classes in Teddington Hydrotherapy Pool, at the lowest possible cost.

Founded in 1977 to help people with back pain, the group has since broadened its remit and our Chartered Physiotherapists now treat a range of musculoskeletal conditions in the warm water.

The group is committed to operating digitally wherever possible, and uses a club management system called Coacha for holding membership and class records.

We offer ten half hour classes every week on different days and times. A maximum of seven members is allowed in the pool at any one time, along with the physio who is leading the group.

Hydrostatic pressure causes 700ml extra blood to be directed to the heart which leads to a 30% increase in cardiac output, a 50% increase of blood through the heart and possibly a small drop in blood pressure. There is a drop of 30-60% volume of air left in the lungs after exhaling. Urine production increases by 6-7 times.

Regular exercise in warm water helps to maintain movement, develop muscle strength, improve balance, aid post-operative recovery, lessen pain sensitivity, improve blood flow and circulation and helps to develop a sense of wellbeing. Exercising as part of a group helps to develop friendships. Our physios offer a great deal of support and encouragement.

Overall, adding seated Pilates to hydrotherapy sessions provided by Richmond AquaPhysio Group can provide numerous benefits for people with musculoskeletal problems, helping to improve their physical and mental wellbeing and quality of life.

I treat a multitude of conditions e.g. sprained ankles & wrists, muscle strains, painful & stiff backs, necks & shoulders, sciatica, joint replacements, fractures and general deterioration in mobility related to strength, balance and/or confidence.

Part of my working week involves teaching physiotherapy led Pilates and Lower Limb Strength & Balance classes.  Helping individuals manage chronic pain, maintain or improve their independence and mobility through exercise. To foster the mental benefits and minimise anxiety of exercising in a group, class numbers are kept low.

The Lower Limb Strength & Balance class is ideal for individuals who have joint replacements (and awaiting joint replacements), arthritis, reduced confidence mobilising, generalised deterioration in strength and balance. The class is a mixture of seated and standing exercises (chair always to hand if needed).

The Pilates class is aimed at Improver (Tuesdays) and Beginner (Thursdays) levels. Both classes are a mixture of standing (chair always to hand if needed) and floor exercises.  Class sizes are limited to 6 people.

Sarah is a Chartered Physiotherapist with more than 20 years experience working within the NHS and private sector and has been providing pool based exercise classes for Richmond Aqua Physio Group for many years now. In addition to being a qualified physiotherapist and treating patients in her private clinic in Teddington, Sarah also has post graduate qualifications in Aquatic Therapy and Pilates and uses these skills to offer one-to-one sessions in the pool and a specially adapted Physiotherapist led Seated Pilates class for those less able to get on and off the floor.