Water Works

Aquatic therapy at Memorial can help with recovery.

If you're recovering from surgery or injury, or struggling with arthritis pain, water workouts might help.

"Aquatic therapy is good for people recovering from total knee and hip replacements, back patients and anybody with weight-bearing restrictions," explains Kendall Woodall, physical therapist assistant at Memorial Hospital.

Exercise and physical therapy in water have two major benefits:

Buoyancy. The buoyancy decreases force on joints and allows easier, less painful movement. "In the water you're more free to move-it doesn't hurt as much," explains Woodall.

Pressure. Water pressure can help control and reduce swelling, pushing against the swollen areas.

People recovering from surgery or back problems typically get a doctor's prescription for aquatic therapy and work one-on-one in the pool with a physical therapist or assistant.

The therapy is also good for children with conditions that cause muscle-tone problems, such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome.

For people with arthritis, regular, twice-weekly classes can help build strength and increase range of motion. "It's modified water aerobics. It's very good for arthritis because you can move a lot more in the water," Woodall explains. The hospital offers classes every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. for $35 per month.

Physical therapy in water can also help athletes get back to their sports more quickly, since they can start strengthening injured areas earlier with the pain-reducing benefits of the water. "When they progress to land, they're already so much further ahead," Woodall says.

One marathon runner injured a calf muscle just three weeks before a race, but thanks to aquatic therapy, he was able to run his best time just three weeks later.

By Stephanie Thurrott

To learn more about aquatic therapy at Memorial Hospital, call (903) 439-4053.