Items of interest
Exercise is an essential part of health. Exercise can improve your energy level, increase your muscle strength and improve endurance. Exercise improves your cardiovascular health by increasing your high-density lipoproteins, often referred to as good cholesterol. It can also strengthen your heart making it more efficient. Regular exercise can improve your mood, by decreasing stress and stress-related hormones. Regular exercise helps you relax easier and sleep better. Exercise can help control your weight by burning calories and improving your metabolism.
Exercise in the water is a fun way to reap the benefits of regular exercise and can have added benefits. It is less impact on your joints (hips, knees, ankles and back) and causes less inflammation. Buoyancy created by submersion in water can decrease weight bearing. When submerged in water up to your waist, your body weight is reduced by up to 50 percent, making movement easier. The added support of being submerged in the water reduces risk for falls, and makes many exercises possible that might not be possible for elderly and others at risk for falls. Most importantly, exercise in the water is fun. It can add a social interaction that makes exercise more enjoyable for many.
Aquatic therapy is one of many treatment techniques provided by physical therapists and occupational therapists at Levi Hospital. Aquatic therapy in Levi Hospital’s therapy pool is done in the warm spring water provided by the Hot Springs National Park. It is an excellent treatment for many patients, allowing a more natural gait pattern, as well as support a person that might have difficulty with balance. Aquatic therapy is an excellent way to begin an exercise program and can be a transition to long term exercise that is an essential part of good health.
Aquatic therapy must be ordered by a physician and is often covered by health insurance. Aquatic therapy is prescribed to address specific impairments, such as back pain, joint stiffness or symptoms caused by a surgery. The treating therapist will instruct and assist patients with a specific program based on the evaluation done by the therapist.
Levi Hospital offers aquatic therapy, by appointment, for those patients that have been referred by a physician. Levi Hospital also offers an aquatic exercise class that is open to adults who are safe to exercise. The exercise class meets in the therapy pool at Levi Hospital and is a group exercise class lead by an instructor. Participants in the exercise class must be medically stable, be able to tolerate warm water (95-98 degrees). Participants must fill out a registration form and have clearance from their physician prior to beginning the class. There is a fee for the class and it is not covered by health insurance. The class meets 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a low impact exercise class that is designed to incorporate most of the body.
If you think aquatic therapy is something that you need, discuss it with your doctor. If he or she prescribes therapy, ask them to refer you to Levi. For further information about physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or the aquatic exercise class, give us a call at 622-3334.