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Healthwatch16: Taking the Plunge into Aquatics Therapy

SCRANTON — October is National Physical Therapy Month and at St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton, that’s an opportunity to show the community that...

SCRANTON -- October is National Physical Therapy Month and at St. Joseph's Center in Scranton, that's an opportunity to show the community that therapy is available there for all kinds of needs.

That includes aquatic therapy that's not always easy to find.

When Megan Chell of Clarks Summit started aquatic therapy at St. Josephs Center in Scranton, she couldn't walk into the pool. She needed a lift. Megan has cerebral palsy and credits the therapy she's doing in the water at St. Joe's with big advancements in her mobility.

"I feel a lot, lot better in the water," Megan said. "I'm much more relaxed and I notice a difference in my daily living at home that my legs are much more relaxed and easier to move."

St. Joseph's Center is known for its care for those with severe disabilities, but therapy programs at the pool are also open to those with all types of conditions with a wide range of severity.

"It's really designed for our residents, but we're sharing it with the community," said physical therapist Michael Kane. "They've given so much to us and we, in turn, have opened this up."

Opened it up to people like Megan Chell who looks forward to her time in the water every week.

"I've been coming since May and I've noticed major, major changes and that's due to Mike and the staff here."

There are all kinds of tools and equipment, like weights and other items to help with the therapy, but of course, the big asset to help people is the water.

"Working out in the water feels great," said Carol Cosgrove of Lake Ariel. "When I get out of the water, not so much."

Cosgrove takes part in one of several therapy programs offered at St. Joe's.

"I had knee surgery and I had to go to outpatient therapy, so I asked to go here because working out in the pool is so much easier than on dry land."

"Once they get in the water, they feel an ability to do things they haven't done in a long time," said Kane.

The pool is kept at 93 degrees. The bottom adjusts from a depth of six to zero feet.

The water provides big benefits for therapy: resistance that helps in exercises and a feeling of weightlessness.

"You have about 75 percent weight reduction," Kane explained. "So if you have pain in your joints, compression on your spine, aches in the muscles, getting in the water you almost immediately feel relief from that."

Aquatic therapy programs at St. Joseph's Center are by prescription from a doctor. You can ask your physician about it if you think it is right for you.

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