TWO chartered physiotherapists have set up the first private hydrotherapy practice in Bournemouth offering one-to-one treatment in a pool.

Sarah Oakley and Jane Haynes, who both work for the NHS at Poole Hospital, launched their Therapy Wave service at the Royal Bath Hotel Leisure Club in Bournemouth in response to demand from patients.

Hydrotherapy is a therapeutic treatment carried out in warm water, using passive movements and specific exercises to relieve pain and discomfort.

Although the treatment is available locally on the National Health Service - there are pools at Christchurch and Poole Hospitals - there are waiting lists and the number of sessions each patient receives has to be limited.

"We find it very useful for a lot of different patients with different problems," said Sarah. "Just being in the water alone is beneficial, and the best thing is that it's pleasant, unlike a lot of treatments."

She added: "Jane is a hydrotherapist at Poole. A lot of the patients seeing her were saying: 'Can't we stay on?', but there was nowhere for them to go on to."

Because the water supports the body weight, hydrotherapy enables people with pain and stiffness to exercise with less stress on their muscles and joints. Working against the resistance of the water can also increase muscle strength and stamina.

Among those to find it useful are people with back pain, arthritis and those recovering from operations or traumatic injuries, such as fractures.

Sarah explained that in the case of arthritic conditions, the warmth of the water affected the capsules around the joints.

"You get more blood flowing through and waste products from the arthritis are circulated out of the area. The muscles relax when the blood is pumping through them. You are also relatively weightless - if you go in up to the notch on your neck, 78 per cent of your body weight is supported by water."

One of Sarah and Jane's patients is 78-year-old retired quantity surveyor Ron Jones, who has undergone two hip replacement operations and has always suffered from stiff joints. He first tried hydrotherapy at Poole Hospital and wanted to continue after his NHS sessions came to an end.

He has now had two half-hour sessions of private hydrotherapy a week for the last 10 weeks and is pleased with his progress. "I find it very beneficial and relaxing at the same time. A half-hour session is adequate - I get a wonderful night's sleep afterwards," he said.

Ron was formerly a keen sportsman - he played rugby, squash, tennis, cricket, swam and sailed - and is keen to stay as mobile as possible. He also does exercises at home and walks when he can.

Sarah and Jane are currently at the Royal Bath on two evenings a week. They can either offer one-to one treatment at £30 for 30 minutes or group sessions aimed at those who have already undergone some hydrotherapy at £75 for 10 sessions. Each patient undergoes an individual assessment.

Therapy Wave clients can use the other leisure club facilities at the Royal Bath, including a sauna, gym and whirlpool bath. For details of the new service, ring 01202 247864 or 01202 888949.