Advanced aquatic therapy pools coming to senior centers

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- For years, aqua-therapists have seen how rehabbing in the water is one of the best ways to achieve full function, regardless of the injury. Now, advanced aquatic therapy pools, once the exclusive domain of pro and college sports teams, are coming to senior centers.

The weight of the world can feel heavy on Kay Schweinfurth who has lived with Parkinson's for 23 years. But she is absolutely buoyant in a therapy pool and on an underwater treadmill.

Keith McCrate, Community Director of Rehabilitation at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, Texas told ABC30, "Kay is able to actually do a pretty aggressive workout of muscle strengthening, balance training, and endurance training in this nice environment."

Schweinfurth told ABC30, "I don't have any kind of aches and pains after I get out, no matter how long I exercise."

In the 90-degree pool, 82-year-old Lois McCulloch is recovering from her fractured pelvis in about half the time it would take on land.

"I can't explain it, but I do know I'm pain free when I'm in the water," McCulloch told ABC30.

Research shows that aquatic therapy decreases gravitational pull and increases flexibility, increases muscle strength, decreases pain, swelling, and spasticity, and improves balance.

Alberto Lin, M.D., FAAPMR, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist at Presbyterian Village North in Dallas, Texas told ABC30, "It's not just extending the lifespan, but you're bringing more quality to it. I'm always thinking about how this patient will re-integrate back into the community."

It's a way to improve health and have fun at the same time. More facilities are incorporating therapy pools, and that means more jobs for certified aquatic therapists, so there's a growing field in the job market.

For more information on this report, please contact:

Keith McCrate
(214) 355-9389
kmccrate@prescs.org