Ground-breaking Innovation in Hydrotherapy: Caroline Barmatz Transforms Trauma Recovery at Sheba Medical Center
Caroline Barmatz, head of the Hydrotherapy Department at Sheba Medical Center, made Aliyah at the age of 19 with a dream to advance rehabilitation medicine in Israel. Nearly five decades later, she reflects with pride on the realization of that vision. For almost 30 years, she has overseen a department that provides over 30,000 hydrotherapy treatments per year, serving a diverse patient population ranging from premature infants to elderly individuals.
Since the October 7th, 2023 atrocities, the hydrotherapy department has assumed a critical new role: providing care to over 300 wounded soldiers and civilians. This challenging development inspired Ms. Barmatz to pursue a Ph.D. focusing on aquatic therapy for patients suffering from blast and ballistic injuries. Traditionally regarded as a gentle therapeutic method, hydrotherapy is now being adapted for younger, high-performing individuals recovering from severe traumatic injuries.
Interactive Technologies Revolutionizing Hydrotherapy
Innovation is at the core of this transformation. The hydrotherapy facility at Sheba Medical Center now includes a Ninja gym customized for rehabilitation, underwater treadmills with adjustable floors for tailored resistance, aqua bikes, and virtual reality gaming systems designed for aquatic environments. These technologies increase patient engagement and enhance recovery by providing interactive, personalized, and measurable therapy sessions, all of which are seamlessly integrated with patient medical records.
Reflecting on the achievements of 2024, Ms. Barmatz highlights a remarkable 30% increase in treatment volume, reaching over 30,000 sessions. The wide range of patients—from injured soldiers to mothers with newborns—adds a unique and rewarding dynamic to the department’s mission. Supported by a dedicated and skilled team, Ms. Barmatz continues to balance the complex needs of varying patient populations while maintaining the highest standards of care.
Ms. Barmatz ‘commitment to the field of hydrotherapy rehabilitation is evident. She dedicates long hours to Sheba Medical Center, motivated by her passion for water, rehabilitation, and helping others. Ms. Barmatz regards water as a powerful therapeutic medium with profound effects on both the mind and body, a conviction that underpins her clinical work and research. Her professional journey stands as a testament to her dedication to the field of rehabilitation, her devotion to Israel, and her steadfast belief in the transformative power of water.
The Hydrotherapy Pool at Sheba Medical Center
The hydrotherapy pool at Sheba Medical Center is recognized as the largest and most innovative of its kind in Israel. Over the past three decades, the department has earned global recognition, sharing its expertise through international conferences and collaborations. Medical professionals from around the world routinely visit to learn from the department’s cutting-edge advancements.
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