This month, August, I started pool therapy. I have gone three times so far. I am loving going. Yes, I do wake up most mornings not feeling like I want to go, but I go anyway. I have not regretted not going. Pool therapy has gotten me to thinking about this option for exercise for the chronically ill. The chronically ill who have issues with their nerves and joints, just as I do. I am now a firm believer that this is an option that will benefit those of us with joint and nerve issues. Where weight bearing exercises make us hurt more.
Here are some facts:
Water work outs boost endurance and energy levels.
Buoyancy allows exercises to be performed with minimal equipment.
Everyone feels an upward thrust when submerged that helps them.
A person weight decreases by 90 percent, so that anyone who has a weight issue can move well.
Hydrostatic pressure the force exerted on the immersed body by fluid molecules decreases pain and edema which increases range of motion. This is good for those who have heart failure, lipedema, or anything that causes them to gain water weight.
It increases circulation by helping the heart and blood pooling in the extremities.
The pressure of the water is the same as wearing a compression sock.
Wow, what a lot of benefits for the pool. This is what I am learning about my own experience. I have only gone three times, as I said above. I have noticed with my breathing issues, yes, I take my pulse oximeter into the pool with me, that I can walk for five minutes and my heart rate doesn’t go into anaerobic state. Anaerobic state has you burn muscle and not the fat that you want it to. I was able to stay in aerobic state which is what I want. I haven’t been able to do this for years. For a woman my age, aerobic state is between 110 to 115. When I am on land I get up to 165 or higher. The best part in the pool my oxygen levels only go to 92 and when I am on land it hits 88 as my lowest while I am moving around. That is why I use my wheelchair when I have to do anything out in public. Another great thing for me is yes, I am sore. It is the kind of soreness you get from a workout and lasts for one day. My physical therapist in the pool told me that if my soreness goes beyond one day then we need to take it down a notch.
I hope you my dear reader will consider doing pool therapy or water exercises. We all know that moving our bodies helps us, but it is a challenge when breathing and joints. Pool therapy is an option. I will continue to work my butt off in the pool. How about you?
Here are some links:
Knee Strengthening exercise in pool
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