While most of us have heard of the weight-bearing and supportive properties of water on our bodies leading to less strain on our joints, there are many other benefits to having a session a week in a heated pool.

People that do hydrotherapy don't just feel more relaxed and active but are also helping those people living with musculoskeletal or chronic pain conditions at the same time.

This is not just a feeling that participants experience but also has a scientific explanation.

Therapeutic hydrotherapy causes vasodilation and tricks the nervous system into sending different messages about chronic pain to the brain.

These messages make the brain think the pain has gone away, or at least reduced.

Arthritis ACT offers both self-lead and instructor-lead hydrotherapy classes as well as one-to-one support with our exercise physiologists.

"We are working day and night to ensure government provides adequate access of therapeutic hydrotherapy pools to our community," a spokesperson for Arthritis ACT said.

Arthritis ACT is the leading provider of therapeutic hydrotherapy across Canberra for people living with musculoskeletal or chronic pain conditions, or with a disability.

"Many of you may have heard in the media about the possible closing of hydrotherapy facilities in Canberra," the spokesperson added.

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"But we want to reassure you that we are working day and night to ensure government provides adequate access of therapeutic hydrotherapy pools to our community."

Many people find as little as one session a week of hydrotherapy can have an impact on their ability to carry out the activities of daily living that they need to do.

It is possible then that multiple sessions can only increase the health benefits.

Some people utilise hydrotherapy six days a week, but in doing so, are able to keep active in their lives and community.

Therapeutic hydrotherapy also helps to reduce the impact of weight, on joints, making it easier to do exercises that build up our muscles and keep us mobile for longer.

It can reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes as more exercise reduces this risk, and it improves circulation, heart health and most importantly, your mood.

But for many, there is an even bigger advantage to the hydrotherapy program.

"Many people find they develop lasting friendships in our hydrotherapy sessions with people who understand what it is like to live with constant pain," the Arthritis ACT spokesperson said.

"Arthritis ACT offers both self-lead and instructor-lead hydrotherapy classes as well as one-to-one support with our exercise physiologists."

Phone 1800 011 041 or see arthritisact.org,au