water therapy

[Katie]

Hi everyone,

I am wondering what if any difference some hydrotherapy has made in your recovery after spine surgery, either adr or fusion?

Dr. Pimenta strongly suggested both pool exercises, very mild ones, plus a hot tub to help relax the back muscles. Since we are a fair bit away from any such luxuries, I was wondering if anyone has found this to be very beneficial.

[ajj1001]

I have done lots of pool walking post fusion and used flotation belts and pool weights to help make the workout work for my upper body.

After my ADR swimming was the first exercise I was able to do. I swam crawl and kept my back level. I swam alot prior to my back problems and have alway had it as part of my training regime so missed it alot and was glad to start back.

[Katie]

Thanks Alison. My surgeon said to just do very light exercise, just walking in the water, etc. and then progress to more difficult things. Swimming was way down the list though.

I am toying with the idea of getting a hot tub, another strong suggestion from Dr. P., but not sure the budget will handle it now after this trip. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how much one would help and which kind would be the best?

[ajj1001]

aqua jogging(the sports term for water walking) is very good rehabiltative exercise as nothing is strained and all your weight is taken by the water. its taken me a while to get the technique and i tend to stick in deep water so no weight at all is on my legs. the warm up bit of this is like i the jogging i do -

How To Aqua Jog Video | General Exercise | Howcast.com

I wear some watersports shoes, an aqua belt and aqua gloves. I also have some pull weights which I use whilst standing still to work my upper body a bit.