Aqua therapy
I am about to start aqua therapy, and I am very nervous about it. If anyone has experience with this, please tell me what it's like.
Hi,
!
I know some of our community members have done aqua therapy and I hope they see your post and chime in here. I am going to share some links where others talk a bit about their experience with various forms of therapy, including aqua therapy and I hope the information helps put your mind at ease.
If you don't mind me asking, what has you nervous about this therapy? It's normal to feel nervous about new things, but is there anything specifically that is causing you some nervousness?
Here's one member's story about physical therapy (and water therapy) -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/stories/why-my-physical-therapist-is-the-most-important-member-of-my-care-team. Also, this member discusses her aqua therapy (look halfway down the piece for the therapy info) -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/stories/many-unknowns-story. And, health leader Mike writes about therapy here -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/spasticity. And, while not specifically about aquq therapy, health leader Laura writes about the benefit of exercising in the pool -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/swimming. Aqua therapy can definitely be a great tool in one's toolbox when it comes to managing the symptoms that can come with MS and I hope it's a good fit for you!
Best, Erin, Team Member.Hi Erin, pardon the late reply! My fears are getting some sort of infection from the pool itself. My dear sister-in-law (she has lupus) used to do aqua therapy until she got a horrible infection that took two weeks of antibiotics, a round of steroids, steroid cream and finally a steroid injection to get rid of it. This is my biggest fear, and I don't think there is any way of knowing how clean the pool is kept.
Aqua therapy is fantastic! I even found that after my insurance stopped paying for it, it was still worth finding a pool to do some exercises on my own. But I will tell why I stopped going: it was too hard for me to change into dry clothes by myself because I can't lift my legs and sort of have to drag my pants along the floor. You can see the problem in a wet locker room. I put up the good fight for a while, but then decided it just took too much energy that I could use in a better way,
That might not be an issue for you, and if so, full steam ahead! 🚢 But if you have any challenges with getting dressed, you might want to think about bringing help if possible.
I can also see how the practical side of things afterward would start to wear you down over time. It’s those behind-the-scenes challenges that people don’t always think about. Thanks for bringing that up, it's definitely something to think about! -Latoya (Team Member) Hi Joaney, I'm sorry for the late reply. Yes, I have the same issue and am nervous about dressing/undressing without help. I'm trying to get a friend of mine to join with me, but I don't know if she's that interested. I am looking into the YMCA for swimming. I'm also worried about contacting, well, anything! Did you have a problem with infections or anything like that?
This is WandaHolt responding. MS diagnosed since 2004. Aqua therapy for me afforded more relief of pain and fatigue than any other med or treatment. I began pool therapy over 10 years ago and have continued either with a therapist or swimming and doing pool exercise on my own.It has become my go to for living w MS for the loss of gravity in-the water allows my body to feel normal or semi normal for a while which is so joyful. I never miss going 2 or 3 times a week. As others have said there is a bit of hassle getting dressed and showered afterward. I bought a foldup small rollator which I carry and put my heavy gym bag on w towel clothes etc. I push the rollator right up to the pool entrance steps for i fear walking on wet floor. At the end I push it to shower and dress then home in car. I also keep my body temp from chilling in case thr pool is cold by wearing a long sleeve rash guard and/or a light weight wetsuit jacket. Zipfront for easy on off. Please give it a try. Here's hoping it is a benefit for you.
Hi Wanda! Thank you for your response! I, too, have a small rollator as well and planned on bringing it. My main concern at this point is will I catch an infection of some sort from the pool itself? Have you had any problems like that? I know of one person, who I fully trust, that went through a bad time with a skin infection attributed to the pool. This was at a private facility. I plan on utilizing the YMCA pool. As I am 65, I am entitled to the Silver Sneaker program so it's not a cost issue should it not work out. How do you feel after?
