Lifestyles
Aquatic Center offers new Arthritis Class
By Don Mathis, Community Relations - The Rehabilitation Center
Apr 17, 2008

The Aquatic Center of Sherman, Texas, is offering open enrollment for a new Arthritis Class. Susan Vardell, Executive Director of The Rehabilitation Center, said that more clients may be served with the Aquatic Program.  

Vardell said The Rehabilitation Center offers Arthritis Aquatic Classes to individuals with arthritis and other chronic ailments. “This program gives participants the opportunity to do gentle activities in warm water with guidance from volunteer instructors. All program instructors are certified by the Arthritis Foundation,” she said.

Polly Taylor monitors Paul Montgomery's progress in physical therapy

“The Aquatic Center is one of the best-kept secrets in Texoma,” Vardell said. “But word is getting out -- Warm water exercise is helpful for people with arthritis,” she said.  

Vardell said working in the water allows the patient to concentrate on coordination and balance activities. “The warm water allows relaxation of muscles and joints, allowing greater freedom of movement,” she said. 

The buoyancy reduces pain on joints and the resistance of the water allows patients to work at their individual levels of capability. “It’s also a good way to gain muscle strength,” Vardell said. Other benefits can include improved cardiovascular endurance, improved trunk stability and postural alignment.  

Water workouts at the Aquatic Center are just one of the services at The Rehabilitation Center. The Center offers occupational, physical, and speech therapy as well.  

Vardell said The Rehabilitation Center has been helping people with disabilities in the Red River region for almost 60 years. And they do it well. 

 “More than 95 percent of our patients who responded to our quality assurance questionnaire indicated they were more independent as a result of their treatment,” Vardell said.

Paul Montgomery enjoys the warm water at the Aquatic Center

“Children love the pool,” Vardell said. “And seniors are no different. We believe therapy should be as enjoyable as possible,” she said. Each therapy session at the Aquatic Center is designed by a licensed therapist after an evaluation. “All activities are supervised by a Rehabilitation Center employee certified in water safety, CPR, and first aid,” Vardell said.   

The Aquatics Center, located at 2009 Texoma Parkway in Sherman, underwent renovation in 2006. Instructors in the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program receive a recertification regularly.  

The Aquatic Center also gives clients access to the pool following discharge from therapy. This allows the progress made during therapy to be maintained by working at their own pace on their specific discharge exercise program. “This may prevent the necessity to return to a prescribed therapy,” Vardell said.  

The Rehabilitation Center is a Medicare and Medicaid approved provider, contracts with most HMO/PPOs, and accepts most credit cards for payments. A doctor’s prescription is necessary to receive therapy at the Acquatic Center but only a release is necessary to participate in the Arthritis Program.  

The Aquatic Center is operated by the staff of The Rehabilitation Center, 1216 Hillcrest in Sherman. The director invites everyone to visit their website, http://TheRehabCenter.net/, or their Sherman locations.