WHAT TO EXPECT
From your hydrotherapy sessions
Session structure
Each supervised session is 30 minutes — a short warm-up, hydrotherapy exercises tailored to your goals, then a cool-down. Sessions are conducted in the pool with Ben supervising every movement.
Exercises
A low impact, pain-free mix of gentle strength, mobility and cardiovascular work — calibrated to your condition, goals and stage of rehabilitation.
Why hydrotherapy
Improves strength, mobility and cardiovascular fitness in a safe, low-impact way. Particularly effective for back, neck and joint pain, post-surgical rehabilitation, and conditions where land-based exercise is too painful.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Program policies
Cancellations — 24-hour notice
Call at least 24 hours before your session if you cannot attend. This lets us offer your spot to someone on the waitlist. A Late Notice Fee equal to the cost of your appointment may be charged at the practitioner’s discretion for recurrent late cancellations.
Missed sessions
If you miss your session without notifying us, you may be charged a Late Notice Fee and may lose your spot in the hydrotherapy program. This fee is payable before any future appointments can proceed. WorkCover and insurance clients: non-attendance is billed to your case, which may lead to treatment suspension.
Changing session times
If you’d like to attend a different session as a one-off, call on the day you wish to attend and we’ll let you know if a space is available.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
What you need to know
Session cost
Standard hydrotherapy session fee applies. Private health rebates apply where you have extras cover for physiotherapy.
Location
Sessions are conducted at our partner pool facility. Address and access details are provided at your initial physiotherapy consultation.
How to pay
HICAPS on the spot for most major Australian health funds — you only pay the gap. NDIS, DVA, Medicare CDM and WorkCover billing arrangements available.
What to bring
Swimwear, towel, water bottle, thongs or pool sandals, and any imaging or specialist reports relevant to your condition.
MEET YOUR HYDROTHERAPIST
Ben Birchall
PHYSIOTHERAPIST · HYDROTHERAPY LEAD
Ben Birchall is an AHPRA-registered physiotherapist with elite-pathway experience in endurance sport — rowing, running and triathlon. At Daisy Hill Physiotherapy he leads the hydrotherapy program alongside his clinical caseload in bony stress injuries, vestibular rehabilitation (including BPPV) and post-surgical rehab. Ben’s approach to hydrotherapy is to use the pool as a controlled-load environment for rehabilitation that wouldn’t yet be safe on land — keeping you progressing when injury or surgery would otherwise put you on the sidelines.
COMMON QUESTIONS
We’ve got answers
Do I need to be able to swim?
No. Hydrotherapy is conducted in shallow water and Ben supervises every session. You’ll always have your feet on the floor or be supported. Swimming ability is not required.
Can I claim hydrotherapy through my private health fund?
Yes — HICAPS on the spot for most major Australian funds where you have physiotherapy extras cover. You only pay the gap. Bring your private health card to the first session.
Can I do hydrotherapy under NDIS, DVA or Medicare CDM?
Yes — NDIS plan-managed and self-managed participants, DVA Gold and White Card holders, and patients with a GP Chronic Disease Management plan are all welcome. Bring your plan, card or referral to the first session.
What conditions is hydrotherapy good for?
Back, neck and joint pain; osteoarthritis; post-surgical rehabilitation (especially hip, knee and back surgery); chronic pain syndromes; healthy ageing and balance; pelvic floor recovery; and any condition where land-based exercise is currently too painful or load-restricted.
How do I sign up?
Start with an initial physiotherapy consultation at our Daisy Hill clinic — Ben will assess whether hydrotherapy is the right fit for you and create your individualised exercise program before your first pool session.
