Max
01-13-2005, 09:53 AM
Water workouts best Rx for pain
UWSP's pool program offers many benefits
By KELLY MCBRIDE
For the Daily Tribune
Getting back on your feet after a stroke or spinal cord injury may seem an insurmountable task, but taking some weight out of the equation can ease the road to recovery for patients with a variety of ailments.
Be it rheumatoid arthritis or an athletic injury, exercising in the water can ease joint pain and increase range of motion, said Dr. James Banovetz, director of Rice Medical Center's Division of Orthopedics and Otolaryngology.
"The advantage of a pool program is that the water helps support your body so you have less weight on your joints, and also less impact," Banovetz said. "With doing (water) exercises, you're able to move your joints through a range of motion with less stress on them."
Helping patients achieve that range of motion and giving them a comfortable environment to exercise in are two goals of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Special Needs Aquatic Program, or SNAP. The program, now in its 12th year, begins its winter sessions Jan. 24. A children's version of SNAP, which aims to get children ages 6 months to 5 years old accustomed to the water, begins Feb. 9.
"The biggest thing we teach is safety," said Joanne Suomi, a Stevens Point Area Public School District physical education teacher and instructor for the children's SNAP program. "Water is a big distraction for young children. ... I think our main focus is to get the children just to be around the water. We have a wonderful pool environment. It's not intimidating."
A parent or guardian accompanies each child for the younger version of SNAP. As for the adult version, Suomi said, a myriad of ailments and ability levels are represented. Suomi's husband, Rory, started SNAP when he arrived at UWSP 12 years ago. Classes take place at the University's Health Enhancement Center.
http://www.wisinfo.com/dailytribune/wrdtlocal/313917159896472.shtml
http://stores.ebay.com/MAKSYM-Variety-Store
UWSP's pool program offers many benefits
By KELLY MCBRIDE
For the Daily Tribune
Getting back on your feet after a stroke or spinal cord injury may seem an insurmountable task, but taking some weight out of the equation can ease the road to recovery for patients with a variety of ailments.
Be it rheumatoid arthritis or an athletic injury, exercising in the water can ease joint pain and increase range of motion, said Dr. James Banovetz, director of Rice Medical Center's Division of Orthopedics and Otolaryngology.
"The advantage of a pool program is that the water helps support your body so you have less weight on your joints, and also less impact," Banovetz said. "With doing (water) exercises, you're able to move your joints through a range of motion with less stress on them."
Helping patients achieve that range of motion and giving them a comfortable environment to exercise in are two goals of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Special Needs Aquatic Program, or SNAP. The program, now in its 12th year, begins its winter sessions Jan. 24. A children's version of SNAP, which aims to get children ages 6 months to 5 years old accustomed to the water, begins Feb. 9.
"The biggest thing we teach is safety," said Joanne Suomi, a Stevens Point Area Public School District physical education teacher and instructor for the children's SNAP program. "Water is a big distraction for young children. ... I think our main focus is to get the children just to be around the water. We have a wonderful pool environment. It's not intimidating."
A parent or guardian accompanies each child for the younger version of SNAP. As for the adult version, Suomi said, a myriad of ailments and ability levels are represented. Suomi's husband, Rory, started SNAP when he arrived at UWSP 12 years ago. Classes take place at the University's Health Enhancement Center.
http://www.wisinfo.com/dailytribune/wrdtlocal/313917159896472.shtml
http://stores.ebay.com/MAKSYM-Variety-Store