Halliwick is a hydrotherapy concept developed in 1950 as a swimming method for people with special needs. It uses the buoyancy of the water to support the mobility and stability of the trunk. Thereby the Halliwick concept is a constraint-induced movement therapy. The Halliwick concept consist of water specific therapy (WST) and a ten point pragramme, which focuses on the control over rotations around various axis of the body, to create a core stability. By using the Halliwick concept you’re using an problem solving method. The possibilities and constraints of the patient are analysed to help the clients functions and independence.
Knowledge Hub
Halliwick Concept
Advantages which the hydrotherapy method provides
The Halliwick concept can be useful because of the following advantages:
- Breath control.
- Mobility and stability of the joints.
- Muscle strength and endurance.
- Normalizing muscle tone.
- Involuntary movement reactions.
- Control of voluntary movement functions.
- Gait.
- Mental adjustment to water.
There are different areas which can be improved through group sessions:
- Social skills
- Communication
- Learning ability
- Psychological well being
- Self-esteem
The ten point programme
- Mental Adjustment (MA)
- Sagittal Rotation Control (SRC)
- Transversal Rotation Control (TRC)
- Longitudinal Rotation Control (LRC)
- Combined Rotation Control (CRC)
- Upthrust or Mental Inversion (MI)
- Balance In Stillness (BIS)
- Turbulent Gliding (TG)
- Simple Progression (SP)
- Basic halliwick Movement (BM)
These steps shouldn’t be used as a sequence but rather as a guideline. For example point 7, Balance in stillness, can be used as a prerequisite for the rotation points (SRC,TRC,LRC,CRC).
The different points can be used for different functions or disabilities, these are:
| Componets of the ICF (Internation Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) | 10 point programme steps |
|---|---|
| B440: Respiratory function | All points, mainly MA |
| B760: Control of voluntary movement functions | All points |
| D410: Changing basic body position | SRC, TRC, LRC, CRC |
| D415: Maintaining a body position | MI, BIS, TG |
| D420: Transferring oneself | Entries and exits in and out of the water |
| D430: Lifting and carrying objects | MA, SRC, BIS |
| D435: Moving objects with lower extremities | MA, LRC, BM and beyond the programme |
| D440: Fine hand use | Most of the points |
| D445: Hand and arm use | Most of the points |
| D450: Walking | MA, SRC |
| D455: moving around (D4554: swimming) also bicycling, jumping and somersaulting | SP, BM, MA, TCR and beyond the programme |
| D465: Moving around using equipment | MI and beyond the programme |
| D510: washing oneself | MA |
| D920: recreation and leisure | beyond the programme |
Water specific Therapy
Water specific therapy or WTS is an expansion of the the point programe. The aim of this expansion was to develop a therapeutic method for adults with Orthopaedic, Rheumatologie and Neurological conditions. WTS is used to treat impairments body functions or structure. WTS is an extension of the ten point programme. these Classification of the ICF can be linked to water specific therapy:
- B440: Respiratory functions
- B710: Mobility of joint functions
- B715: Stability of joint functions
- B730: Muscle power functions
- B735: Muscle tone functions
- B740: Muscle endurance functions
- B755: Involuntary movement reaction functions
- B760: Control of voluntary movement functions
- B770: Gait pattern functions
- D430: lifting and carrying objects
- D435: Moving objects with lower extreemities
- D440: Fine hand use
- D445: Hand and arm use
Hydrotherapy equipment
- Movable swimming pool floor
- Modular pool
- Underwater treadmill
Sources
Articles
K. Yogarajan (2024) Effect of aquatic physiotherapy intervention on gross motor function, functional mobility and controlled stability in children with athetoid cerebral palsy – a case report
Montagna (2014) Stroke: balance and Halliwick
Lambeck (2020) Aquatic Therapy a valuable intervention in neurological and geriatric physiotherapy a narrative review
Turner (2018) Falls in Geriatric populations and Hydrotherapy as an intervention; A Brief Review
Niks & ‘t Hoofd (2017) Aquamentia, Introducing a Newly Developed Swimming Intervention for People With Dementia
E. Meyer(2020) Water Specific Therapy Halliwick (WSTH): Interest of water therapy for cerebral palsy children
Montaño J (2015) Cerebral palsy and Halliwick (Ms thesis in Spanish)
Vivas J (2011) Aquatic Therapy Versus Conventional Land Based Therapy for Parkinsons Disease An Open-Label Pilot Study
The Halliwick® Concept by Johan Lambeck and Urs Gamper (2010)
Epps (2005) Is hydrotherapy cost-effective, A randomised controlled trial of combined hydrotherapy programmes
Szucs (2007) Application of Halliwick Method on Patients with Central Nervous System Disability with Examination of Functional Balance, Independence and Postural Assessment Scale
Seo (2009) adults balance rotation vestibular function (Korean)