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“Aquatic therapy has combined the healing properties of water with powerful therapy jets, an underwater treadmill and massage system to lessen arthritic pain, chronic pain, fibromyalgia; enhance post-­‐surgery recovery; and bring relief for other health conditions,” Basco noted. “Research shows that patients utilizing aquatic therapy have faster rehab outcomes with less pain.”

To see if aquatic therapy can help you meet your physical goals, contact the MMH Rehabilitation Center staff at (940) 759-­‐6198.

Aquatic therapy

Muenster Memorial Hospital offers the only therapy pool in Cooke and Montague counties. Aquatic therapy provides patients a way to achieve goals that may not be possible using traditional land-­based therapies.

Water possesses unique properties that make it crucial to the healing arts. Its ability to render a body weightless, while providing gentle natural resistance, makes water an excellent tool in a wide range of therapy options.

When Muenster Memorial Hospital built its new therapy and rehab center in 2010, a therapy pool was included in the design. Although a costly addition, it was felt that many in the area could benefit from aquatic therapy.  Today, the 112-­‐square-­‐foot pool serves a variety of patients – from those recovering from joint replacement to those whose bodies are so constricted from disease or injury that motion is not attainable through traditional measures.  “We have seen remarkable improvement in patients with osteoarthritis and cerebral palsy,” stated Mark Basco, a physical therapist who works with the aquatic therapy program. “The warmth of the water can significantly increase range of motion in muscles and joints.” 

• The therapy pool at MMH features an underwater treadmill that gives patients with recent joint replacement or other surgeries a weightless option to regain strength and function through exercise. The depth of the pool is adjustable in order to allow staff to set the desired level of weight bearing.

• Patients can also walk or swim against the resistance generated by adjustable jets in the pool. Video cameras provide therapists the ability to evaluate exercise technique while in the water and measure patient progress.

• A patient lift can assist patients who are not able to walk a way to get into the warm waters of the pool.  The lift can hold over 500 pounds, and is also helpful for bariatric patients following weight loss or other surgeries.
• Those suffering from fibromyalgia and painful arthritis often avoid traditional therapies because of the pain.  Aquatic therapy allows these patients to move with reduced stress on the joints, building strength and endurance.

• A complete massage system allows therapists to adjust the flow to trigger a deep penetrating massage on arthritic joints or light massage to ease aching and sore muscles.
• Accelerated rehabilitation is another benefit of aquatic therapy, especially for those recovering from a sports injury. “The water allows patients to start therapy earlier, because it offers a truly non-­‐weight bearing opportunity for them,” said Basco. “Athletes can maintain their conditioning, while rehabilitating the injury.”
• Patients utilizing the pool are offered full privacy with a private dressing room and entry into the pool area.