Water exercise conducted in therapy pools can greatly help to improve mobility and strength in stroke patients. It is an effective, yet low impact exercise with varying degrees of difficulty.

     Many stroke patients may experience issues with balance, making it difficult to walk or perform rehabilitation exercises that require different forms of movement. Being able to maintain balance in a therapy pool means that using spa bells, knee flexor strength, and partaking in other weight bearing exercises now become an option.

     Many stroke patients may be left wheelchair-bound or with mobility issues that require the use of braces or crutches. This can limit the kinds of rehabilitation exercises they perform. However, our easy access staircase and chair lift allow people of all mobilities to have use of warm water pools. The water's buoyancy andd anti-gravity effect make it easy for stroke patients to perform actions or movement they otherwise could not achieve outside of the water. In addition, many of these patients find they don’t require use of their mobility devices while in a therapy pool. Rehabilitation performed in the water can show significant improvements in muscle strength and walking speed. Effective sitting exercises that promote hand and arm strength can also be conducted.

     Overall, the National Stroke Association recommends swimming and use of a therapy pool as one of the most effective exercises available for post-stroke patients. The water is a safe place to conduct essential exercises for lifestyle improvement, regain mobility and overall cardiovascular fitness.