Swimming pools for physical therapy

Above about swimming pools for physical therapy.

Swimming pools are ubiquitous in Lake Havasu City, but the one that opened Monday at Lakeside Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation lays claims to being unique.

The pool is the first on-site physical therapy pool in the city, said Elizabeth Marr, a Lakeside physical therapist.

The uniqueness of the new facility on Riviera Drive has prompted Lakeside staff to make the pool available for children’s swimming and adult fitness classes in addition to physical therapy, “to meet the needs of the community and because we all know about the cutbacks,” Marr said.

Students in Lakeside’s classes can expect some of the same kind of personalized attention physical therapy patients receive, said pool operations manager and instructor Swan Cooke.

During class, the pool is dedicated solely to that activity, and enrollment is limited to 10 in adult fitness classes and five in children’s swimming classes.

“So you really get some one-on-one,” Cooke said.

Students benefit from the environment of the pool as well, which has features that make it a true therapeutic pool, said Marr. The pool’s special climate control system regulates temperature and humidity, and a faster air exchange rate cuts down on the odor of chlorine, Marr said. The water temperature is a consistent 88-89 degrees.

“So it’s therapeutically comfortable for the patients,” Marr said.

For physical therapy patients, the pool features a 6-foot-deep well where patients can exercise in a completely weightless environment.

“It takes away fear of pain, fear of damaging what was fixed,” Marr said.

Dustin Halliday, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a March car accident, was one of the first patients to take advantage of the facility earlier this week. He smiled as doctor of physical therapy Megan Espeland and aquatic therapy technician Sam Waggoner led him through a series of exercises both in the shallow portion of the pool, which is 3 feet, and in the well.

“It’s kinda nice — a lot nicer than having to do this on land,” Halliday said.

The center is registering students now for swimming and fitness classes that will be June 22-July 16. Another session of classes begins July 20.

Adult classes include: “Dash & Splash,” a dry land run/walk and aerobic water exercise class; “Twinges in the Hinges,” which focuses on range of motion, resistance and relaxation exercises; “Pilates in the Water” for toning, stretching and posture; and “It’s a Wonder,” which utilizes an apparatus called the wonderboard.

Swimming classes are offered for children age 6 months through 3 years, 3-5 years and 5-8 years.