Water Therapy
Hello my name is Lisa L. and I wanted to share my story on the benefits of water exercise for health issues such as Fibromyalgia. I developed problems with Fibromyalgia/Arthritis plus depression/anxiety some 20 yrs. ago. I worked as an RN on a medical unit at St. Michael's Hospital for 12 years. During that time I had so much pain I could not continue as an RN. I did not want hurt a patient, because of my pain and lack of concentration. Since then, for the last 18 years, I have been one of leaders of the Aquatic Program called SNAP at UWSP. This has helped my pain significantly. Our program is designed for people with needs in helping improve their pain. We have people with Many forms of Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, back pain, pain of many different kinds. The small heated pool, along with regular massage from Brenda has been a big part of my many therapies to help chronic pain. I’ve stuck to the program which normally runs for 45minutes two times a week, for 18 years. The water, which is heated at 89 degrees feels wonderful, and the 95 degree heated room is great. We all tease each other, “ it’s like giving the tin man oil” It provides some instant pain relief. The water supports your joints and muscles, so in turn you can move them around without hurting as you might doing land exercises. We walk for about 15min or as long as you can, there are no set rules that you have to do every exercise. Some people walk for only 2min or 5min. It just depends how your body is feeling at that moment. We also do a little stretching and move our limbs under the water. It’s a very low-impact exercise class in a heated pool and room. Oops I almost forgot to tell you, our pool is only 3 and a half feet deep. You do not need to know how to swim at all. I think there are very few participants that actually know how to swim. We also have people from ages 18 through 85. All adults are invited. It’s well worth the effort to get there and soak some of your pain away. It’s like a $3.00 massage, no not really.That’s how much one class costs. It has just been like my own heavenly pool sanctuary. I will be there probably as long as our program survives. My boss, Rory also works extra hard to help people with arthritis and other chronic health conditions feel at ease. If you ever have any questions you can also talk to Brenda and she can hook you up with my phone number or the program brochure or my boss Rory’s phone number. Once you come, you may be like me and become addicted to the pool and chlorine and will just plain enjoy yourself. Also don’t forget Brenda’s heavenly massages. That is a big, big part of my drug-free pain relief sessions. Hope to see or talk with you at the pool. Lisa L.
Contact Dr. Rory Suomi at UWSP 715-346-2706 or Lisa at 715-342-0027 for more information.
Pilates
I have recently had the great pleasure of working with Amy Haemmerle at Studio B Pilates to incorporate pilates training into my wellness program. She has worked with my body to use my core strength much more throughout my days, instead of utilizing just my shoulder strength. It has helped me tremendously as a massage therapist, but also has improved my overall being of how I carry myself every day. For more information on the great programs and instructors at Studio B, please click the link below.