Benefits of
WarmTherapy
Pool Exercising
By Tae Lynne
Are you dealing with Fibromyalgia, Arthritis or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?
I know just how you feel. It’s difficult to be motivated to exercise when you have a chronic illness involving excruciating pain and weakness in your muscles and joints. Add in the cold winter weather looming ahead and we all want to hibernate.
Ironically, lying still for too long makes the pain worse. We need to keep moving to stay flexible and maintain muscle and bone mass. For many of us with these painful chronic conditions, weight-lifting, aerobics and even walking are impossible. Non-weight bearing activities such as swimming or aqua classes are best for these type of conditions.
Six years ago, after completing months of physical therapy for severe shoulder pain, my therapist prescribed follow-up exercises in the therapy pool. I began to exercise on my own two to three times a week in a 95 degree therapy pool. The water allowed me to move my arms and legs freely without pain. Over a period of a year, I developed better range of motion and muscle tone again. I was also able to kick the narcotic drugs I was taking for pain relief!
Aqua yoga, aqua Pilates, aqua aerobics and aqua arthritis classes are all offered at my local YMCA. I’ve even heard of facilities on the West Coast offering aqua barre and aqua spinning! Basically, anything offered “on land” is being converted to a pool version. More facilities are recognizing the advantages of working out in water. If you can’t swim, don’t worry about it! Even walking back and forth in the pool is beneficial and easier on your joints.
Most gyms and fitness facilities have only one lap pool, which at 82 degree is too cold for people with one of the conditions I mentioned. You might find a YMCA that has two pools, one for swimming laps and a warmer one for classes approved by the Arthritis Foundation. Several hospitals and wellness centers with physical therapy departments also have a warm therapy pool open to the community. I encourage you to seek a warm pool in your community and get exercising.
fotovampir / 123RF Stock Photo
40 | ElementsForAHealthierLife.com | October 2016