Water therapy provides relief from arthritis aches and pains

At first glance, the water therapy class in the Parks and Recreation swimming pool might look like a group of people just standing around in the water. But, like ducks on a pond, there's much more going on beneath the surface.

Every joint from head to toe is being exercised during the class, offering a low-impact workout for participants and providing relief from the effects of arthritis.

Around 32.5 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of osteoarthritis, the most common arthritic condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physicians recommend weight loss, staying mobile and different types of exercise to alleviate the symptoms.

"There's pain medication that covers up the symptoms, anti-inflammatory medication doesn't really do anything, but exercise and staying mobile really helps," said Lynn Prysunka, a physician with the Wrangell Medical Center. "And the thing that's so good about the arthritis (water) class is that it's non-weightbearing."

Prysunka said when it comes to joint problems, there's a continuum of exercises that's hard on the joints, starting with running being the hardest, then using an elliptical, walking on a treadmill, riding a bicycle, and then swimming and water aerobics. "In that continuum, water aerobics is great."

The arthritis class has been taught for 19 years by Kim Covalt, 69, who began to develop arthritis in his lower back 20 years ago. A class was being taught in Juneau at the time to train people to lead water therapy classes.

"They were offering free scholarships to take the class, so I went up to Juneau to take the class for free to be a teacher," Covalt said after leading a class last Wednesday morning. "I came back and started teaching here. I saw we had a need for the older population, which now I'm one of them."

Each class begins with 20 minutes of water walking, swinging the arms and legs in the pool, letting the resistance of the water warm up the muscles. "It's amazing the therapeutic power of the water. It helps my back not to hurt," Covalt said.

Near the end of last Wednesday's class, Covalt had the five participants moving each of their legs in small circles, gradually increasing the circumference as they completed each revolution. Then they did similar movements with their ankles.

"We move every joint in the body from the neck down to the toes," Covalt said. "It's all low impact. I haven't had anybody who has taken the class that hasn't enjoyed it or at least gotten something out of it."

Covalt said his class is usually attended by anywhere from five to 10 people, typically older adults.

Olinda White, who's been attending the class for 10 years since she retired, said the therapy has made a big difference in her mobility.

"I really notice it if I don't come, like if I travel. I just love it," she said. "It just makes you feel so much better. It's a great start to the day."

White said she has arthritis "pretty much everywhere." She believes the class helped her to stay limber a few years ago when she had her hip replaced. She tries to walk as much as possible, but that can depend on the severity of the weather.

Prysunka said the class also provides a social outlet, much like mall walking does for seniors who have access to a shopping mall or similar venue.

"There isn't a mall for people to go mall walking in, but (the class is) an extra benefit for the group of older adults who do it," she said. "The physical can't be underplayed for the arthritis, but the emotional (aspect) for some of those older adults to get out and have that connection with each other is really equally beneficial."

Prysunka said social interactions help increase positive emotional health, which allows people to be more physically active. "There's good evidence it fends off cognitive decline," she said. "It's probably one of the few things they found clearly makes a difference in age-related cognitive decline."

Retiree Dana Rowlett, who moved to Wrangell from Arkansas in March, said she doesn't have arthritis, but the class does fill the social and other needs. She was looking for interesting things to do after retirement.

"I'm just doing this for balance and strengthening," she said. "It does loosen up. You know, they say motion is the lotion."

Prysunka said as people age it's important to work on cardiovascular exercise, strength training and balance.

"You also want to add in resistance training, and the water aerobics course and the arthritis course has that resistance. The water does it," she said. "That helps strengthen bones and improves muscle mass. That actually is probably more beneficial than the cardiovascular activity, ironically."

The arthritis class is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Water aerobics is held the same days from 10 to 11 a.m. The cost of the classes is included with membership or punch pass fees. Those without a punch card or membership pass can pay $3 per class for seniors and $5 for anyone 64 or younger. More information can be found at wrangellrec.com.

"Each person it affects a different way," Covalt said. "It makes them feel better, that's the main thing. Moving keeps you from losing. You got to keep moving. It beats the alternative."