Today I found a slice of the old me. As a child I was a swimmer, a gymnast, a singer, and always on the go. As a young teacher I had endless energy to stay up late to grade papers, write lessons, assemble game centers, and create projects for my classes. Up until about six years ago I had this energy and ability to do whatever I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it. Then Rheumatoid Arthritis hit me like a brick and nothing has been the same. Today I found a little piece of the old me when I got back into the pool. I’m facing my first physical therapy session tomorrow morning for hip problems and a bulging disc in my lower back. I don’t want my next step to be spinal surgery or a new hip, so I’m doing everything I can including aqua therapy to fix this issue before it gets worse. The warm pool waters allowed me to stretch, do some aqua therapy movements, and swim using joints I can’t manipulate this way on land. The feeling of being able to move my ankles and hips with ease under the water gave me hope for feeling normal again. I’ve been in the water quite a bit but not like this. The water was just warm enough and my body was willing enough to let me stay there and enjoy it for hours. Walking, jogging, and stretching while carrying only 15% of your body weight certainly makes a difference.
Unfortunately, there is a downfall to this wonderful water experience. Getting out of the pool was excruciating. My legs felt like they were tied to a ton a bricks. My shoulders and my back gave me that not so subtle reminder that they were there and aching. My pain had not washed away in the water. It was pretty discouraging. Hours later though I reflected on how I felt and I believe I did feel much better than I had prior to getting into the pool. I’ll continue to try this form of therapy again throughout the coming months and see how much better I feel from being in the water. Anything to avoid surgery and more meds.
I found a few helpful resources on aqua therapy and the benefits of warm water on those with rheumatoid arthritis.
http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/tips/warm-water-therapy.php
https://creakyjoints.org/arthritis-diseases/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/treatment/