Walk IN Water

by Dave Harney

November 2007

Swimming, diving, splashing, and even water polo are all activities we associate with enjoying a pool.  But have you ever considered walking in a pool?  There are many reasons to do so, with your health and conditioning being the main ones.  Now that the Pieters Family Life Center in Henrietta has built one of the highest tech pools in the area, it will be easy to try it out.  And while even the healthiest among us can benefit from water walking, those who have chronic muscle, joint, and other muscular-skeletal conditions may benefit the most.

For example, Margaret Moriarty of Henrietta was skeptical about taking a walk just up and down her driveway. She has had both knees replaced and has been diagnosed with arthritis. Then her daughter, Sue Banker of the Pieters Family Life Center, suggested she try the new therapy pool to see if it would alleviate some of her pain.  Much to the entire family’s surprise, after just a few 30 minute sessions of water walking, her pain was reduced significantly. Sue says her mom asked if she could walk around the block.  She answered, “sure, but take your cane for support.” Not only did she walk around the block but then walked two more blocks to visit a family friend!  The family was very excited that she walked that far because of the self confidence she gained.  Now she has new energy and is more willing to try things that she had given up.

The pool, universally designed to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs, is the latest innovation in hydrotherapy.  It creates varying levels of motion resistance (water flow) that allow for highly individualized training regimens.  Pools like this were once limited to training premiere professional athletes, but facilities like the Pieters Center have adapted them for both mainstream and handicapped individuals who might not even be able to stand without the buoyancy of water.

Nancy Tantalo is a good example.  Nancy has benefited immensely from her aquatic therapy sessions in the pool. With the help of a therapist, Nancy is able to walk more comfortably and is making progress toward being able to leave her wheelchair and walk again on her own some day. After surgery on her legs, Nancy required braces that made walking difficult as well as painful, so being able to stand and walk in the pool while simply holding a support bar was a huge accomplishment.

The benefits of a water walking program include cardiovascular exercise in a weightless environment, decreased joint and lower back pain, increased metabolism, circulation, and range of motion, and improved circulation and joint mobility.  Research has shown it can also promote better sleep, improve posture, and enhance overall health and wellness.

The Pieters Life Center pool is open to the public on a regular basis.  They offer outpatient and PT services, ranging from group water walking sessions to sport conditioning activities for athletes who want anything from marathon training to simply gaining a competitive edge.  Call the Center or visit their website to view a video as well as get further schedule and pricing details.

ROCHESTER RESOURCE
Pieters Family Life Center
1025 Commons Way
Rochester, 14623
(585) 487-3500
www.pietersfamilylifecenter.org