Hydrotherapy Equipment Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The global hydrotherapy equipment market is projected to augment at a CAGR of 14.39% from a market size of US$1,114.911 million in 2020 to achieve a market size of US$2,856.823 million by the end of 2027.

Hydrotherapy consists of utilizing water to alleviate pains and treat certain medical conditions. It has been noticed that hydrotherapy is useful for patients suffering from burns, peptic ulcers, amputations, and arthritis. These can benefit from sitting in warm water in hydrotherapy equipment or a hydrotherapy system. Hydrotherapy equipment involves pools, whirlpools, whirlpool spas, hot tubs, thermal capsules, and physiotherapy tanks, among other equipment.

The growing prevalence of back pain or arthritis, either due to old age or the adoption of unhealthy living conditions, is projected to drive market growth during the forecast period. In addition, the increasing number of sports injuries occurring due to sports activities is further augmenting the market growth during the forecast period. Hence, several sports associations are rapidly adopting this equipment, further fueling the market demand in the forecast period. The growing geriatric population worldwide provides an impetus in surging the market demand during the forecast period. One may find hydrotherapy equipment in healthcare centres, including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and physiotherapy clinics. Also, hydrotherapy equipment is installed in spas and at home for personal use.

However, concerns regarding susceptibility to infections due to contaminated water in hydrotherapy pools may threaten to restrain the market growth during the forecast period. This is because the potential route of infections due to contaminated water in this equipment includes water ingestion, breathing sprays, and aerosols from water. In addition, allowing wounds to come into direct contact with water increases the chances of infections in individuals. Also, it has been analyzed that infection control for hydrotherapy tanks or pools poses unique challenges. This is mainly because the naturally occurring microbes, which may not be dangerous for a healthy individual, are present all the time in the water during water treatment procedures.

Geographically, North America is predicted to hold a significant market share owing to the high health expenditure of the United States among all the developed regions of the world. Also, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the United States is further propelling the market demand during the forecast period. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific region is projected to experience high growth over the forecast period due to the increasing geriatric population in the region, with Japan containing the maximum senior population in the world. Also, increasing government investments in improving healthcare facilities provides an impetus to the burgeoning market growth in the forecast period.

COVID-19 impact on the hydrotherapy equipment market

According to the guidelines from IATF, International Aquatic Therapy Foundation, by taking proper safety measures, hydrotherapy pools can be utilized even during the current novel coronavirus pandemic scenario. As per the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to individuals via water in pools and hot tubs. Hence, with proper operation and disinfection of the pools, the deadly virus should be killed. In addition, it is suggested that close contact with people outside the home environment, inside and outside water must be taken care of. Therefore, it is concluded that the hydrotherapy equipment market growth amid the novel coronavirus infection scenario was not affected during 2020. Nonetheless, due to labour shortages and the shutting-down of manufacturing operations, the market is projected to experience a slight decline in 2020.

The growing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders worldwide is increasing market demand during the forecast period.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2019 facts, musculoskeletal disorders are one of the leading contributors to disability worldwide. Lower back pain is the sole contributor to causing disability at the international level. The organization has further noticed that around one in three and one in five individuals, including children, also are suffering from musculoskeletal pain. It has also been observed on a wide scale that the greatest proportion of non-cancer persistent pain is contributed by musculoskeletal conditions. In addition, musculoskeletal conditions are linked with depression and this aid in giving rise to other chronic health conditions. Hence, with the growing stress levels, musculoskeletal conditions are geared to surge during the forecast period due to the adoption of a busy lifestyle, further fueling the market demand. These conditions range from cases emerging suddenly and are mostly short-lived. This includes fractures, sprains, and strains to conditions that last life-long. These musculoskeletal conditions are associated with continuous pain and disability.

According to the Global Burden of Disease, GBD study, in 2017, musculoskeletal conditions were the highest contributor to the disability worldwide, accounting for around 16% of all the years that lived with this disability. It was further estimated that as the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions varies by age and diagnosis, around 20% to 33% of individuals are suffering from this disease around the globe with excruciating pain.

According to the 2016 Global Burden of Disease, GBD data for non-communicable diseases, it was identified that the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for musculoskeletal indications grew by around 61.6% from 1990 to 2016. Between 2006-2016, a growth of around 19.6% was achieved. Osteoarthritis was predicted to increase by around 104.9% from 1990 to 2016 (National Institutes of Health Article, 2018).

According to the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI), an international collaborative movement sanctioned by the United Nations and the WHO, musculoskeletal disorders in the United States affect over one out of every two individuals aged 18 years of age and above. It also affects close to 3 out of 4 individuals aged 65 and above. The most common musculoskeletal diseases reported are trauma, back pain, and arthritis. There are visits to a physician’s office, emergency departments, and hospitals every year. Additionally, as the population in the United States ages, musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly becoming a burden each year. Hence, this further provides strong market growth prospects in the United States and other parts of the world.

Key Developments

April 2021, The National Office of Thermalism and Hydrotherapy (ONTH) has announced the launch of the first mobile hydrotherapy application, "Tunisia Wellness."

June 2020, Bradford Products, LLC, makers of the finest stainless steel pools and spas, announced a mutual licencing and distribution arrangement with EWAC Medical of the Netherlands. Bradford will become the preferential distributor in North America for EWAC's holdings of hydrotherapy underwater treadmills, moveable floors, underwater bicycles, and other aquatherapy equipment under this agreement.

Segmentation:

By Product Type

• Hot Tubs
• Pools
• Whirlpool Spas
• Thermal Capsules

By Hydrotherapy Type

• Water Circuit Therapy
• Aquatic Exercise
• Aquatic Massage
• Steam Baths
• Saunas

By End-User

• Health Centers
• Spas
• Home

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Europe
• UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Middle East and Africa
• UAE
• Israel
• Saudi Arabia
• Asia Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Taiwan