Case Study: Relief from Chronic Pain and Stiffness with Warm Water Program

Chronic pain and muscle stiffness are common problems in older adults. The more that they have pain while moving, the less they are willing to do activities, which exacerbates the problem. Often an exercise program can help alleviate some of the pain and stiffness, but the soreness and fear of falling that come with it, leave many unwilling to attempt fitness programs.

Case Study: Scotty Swanson

At Summit Place Senior Living Campus in Eden Prairie, MN, 85 year old Scotty Swanson was dealing with chronic pain and stiffness, so physical therapist Alaina Glass put him into the HydroWorx 2000 Series Pool. Initially, she put him into a program plan that focused on range of motion and deep tissue massage.  After a reassessment of his goals, she moved him into a fitness plan to improve his activities of daily living.  Because of his work in the pool, Scotty noticed a boost in his energy and felt more comfortable and safer doing his everyday activities on land.

Some of the lower body exercises Alaina did with him in the pool, focusing on core strength and balance, included:

• Walking on the underwater treadmill
• High-knee walking
• Side-stepping
• Straight leg kicks
• Walking sprints
• Leg swings
• Figure eight leg swings
• Toe raises
• Toe taps

Due to his work in the pool, Scotty noticed the ability to take deeper breaths and a boost in his energy and felt more comfortable and safer doing his everyday activities on land.

Watch the full case history and pool protocol below:

Find out more about how aquatic therapy can benefit those with chronic pain and joint replacements by downloading our tip sheet here>>