Dorothy & Ray Cox recover from surgeries with the help of their Endless Pool
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Dorothy, 83, and Ray, 85, converted their attached garage into an Endless Pool room. The inset photo marks the Coxs' 60th wedding anniversary. |
Dorothy and Ray Cox both attest to the benefits of
aquatic therapy for recovery from surgery to replace
or repair joints. Their experience also highlights one
of the sometimes-overlooked advantages of exercising
in water: improved balance.
Ray has had two hip surgeries and focuses mainly
on walking against the Endless Pool's resistance and the use of light weights for upper-body conditioning.
Therapists point to the relearning of walking and other
everyday movements as being especially well-suited to
aquatic therapy because, without the pain of impact
caused by land-based walking, patients no longer feel
constrained to limp.
Simultaneously, the water's 600 to 700 times greater
resistance to air increases strength and endurance,
and the warm water promotes circulation and mobility.
Dorothy's regimen involves the serial use of
four 20-minute audiotapes developed by her therapist
following replacement of both knees. These
include extensive leg-stretching, simulated bike-riding,
sweeping arm movements, jogging, walking, resistance
exercises, and lifting aquatic dumbbells. She also swims
vigorously enough to have lost 14 pounds in the past
year.
Accompanied by music, the workout is soothing to the
psyche as well, Dorothy points out. She and Ray also
share their Endless Pool with neighbors, one of whom
suffers from back pain, the other with fibromyalgia.
"So, I'll endorse it readily
on several points," Dorothy offers.
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