The Benefits of Water Therapy

DJ i think aqua therapy would be something great for you to look into trying out...

I had bowel issues as well in rehab, but eventally made it into the pool. Went the first three times wondering why I was so exausted from swimming a couple of laps. My left leg was swimming completely on it's own, which wasn't helping my technique. I found if I let my legs drag is was easier to swim. Pool therepy is great if the chlorine is at a decent level. I swam at the YMCA, and with all the peeing in the pool I found I couldn't take it. We have fresh water all around us and a river in our backyard, but it's all very very cold.

kilg0retr0ut you could do with finding s place specific for aqua therapy...peeing in the pool is a disgusting thought

After one and a half years of physiotherapy that really doesn't seem to be helping I decided to look into aqua fit classes. I met with one of the instructors at our local YMCA and she gave me an overview of the classes. I joined and started going last week. So far I've gone to four classes, all different and I loved every one. The zumba in the water was a bit challenging as it had lots of jumps and lunges but I just did what I could.

The best part for me was the fact that after so long I was able to stand, walk, run, squat, do jumping jacks and all sorts of other things I will never do again on dry land. I wore a life belt for the first two classes because I take a spot in the pool where I am submerged up to my shoulders. However I found it was giving me too much buoyancy so I went without it the last two classes and felt much better. I wear water shoes and use railings getting in and out, I find that when I get out after 45 minutes it takes a few minutes for my body to adjust to walking on a hard surface again.

Our YMCA offers 9 different classes each week so my goal is to hit five per week if possible. Already I can feel a difference in my knee, hip and ankle joints which have stiffened significantly.

I know not everyone can participate in aqua fit classes or if they can there are issues like cost and transportation but for those who can, I'd most definitely recommend it!

I have access to a pool in the summer, love it I can use a water treadmill in chest deep water and it feels so good to walk on it!!

I'm looking forward to trying the pool to do my standing exercises. Thanks for the tip about hot tub helping with burning pain. So far nothing has helped me with that.