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This paper is based on the clinical case of a child with painful multiple disabilities and aims to reflect on the possible role of hydrotherapy as a mediation tool within a psychomotor care package. The sensory-motor approach created by Bullinger (1996) is used to interpret the pain phenomenon and its consequences according to the following argument: pain alters sensory-tonic balance and disturbs tonic-emotional regulation. Thus, the already fragile motor process of children with multiple disabilities may be seriously disturbed. The Bullinger approach is also used to assess the therapeutic relevance of hydrotherapy as a non- medicinal solution in this particular case.