Washington state has the one of highest occurrences of multiple sclerosis, or MS, in the nation. An estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people are affected by MS in King County, according to Merrill Ringold, executive director of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County.
He and the association have created a number of programs to help combat the disease’s crippling affects on the body, mind and spirit.
As part of rehabilitation services, the MSA provides hydrotherapy classes in four public pools throughout the county, including the Lindbergh High School pool in Renton.
The others are Odle Pool in Bellevue, Madison Pool in Shoreline and Evergreen Pool in Burien.
“The water is a phenomenal place for people with disabilities to move,” said Harriet Ott, head instructor and coordinator for the MSA hydrotherapy program.
Ott is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and a certified aquatic therapist.
MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Its name literally means “many scars.” It is a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks itself. MS is a chronic condition that grows worse with time and has no current cure.
The hydrotherapy class at Lindbergh meets every Tuesday at 1 p.m. for an hour session of aerobic and
aquatic activity. Class sizes vary between six and 10 students.
“You’ve seen how they move on land, now see what they can do in the water,” said Julie Berquist, the hydrotherapy instructor for five years.
Before the session can get under way, one of the challenges for some participants is getting safely from land to water. Lindbergh’s pool is equipped with a chairlift that effortlessly picks up the swimmers, then places them in the water.
Each class is run differently because of the variety of students and their capabilities, said Ott. “All sessions with stretch (are designed to) strengthen and tone muscles that are working . . . from neck, fingers and toes.”
The sessions incorporate a series of range-of-motion stretching exercises in shoulder-deep water. These range from simple leg extensions and lower and upper body stretching to resistance movements with flotation noodles that tone and strengthen the legs.
Participants are able to adjust the exercises to their own flexibility and range of movements. Instructors and volunteers are also on hand to work one-on-one with students who need it. The swimmers benefit not just from the water aerobics, but from ongoing light-hearted conversation that transpires throughout the session.
“The people here are something else,” said Michael Caldwell, 51, of Maple Valley, whose was diagnosed with MS three years ago. “It [hydrotherapy classes] is really uplifting and just brings a smile to my face. It makes me know I’m still in it.”
“I went on MSA King County homepage looking for something to get active,” said Meg Pitman, 33, of Port Orchard, who has had MS for 12 years. “It’s my first class and it seems like a good group.”
According to the National MS Society information sourcebook, water exercise is the most favorable among rehabilitation alternatives for MS because water reduces the effects of gravity. This provides the optimal condition for exercise. The water level of the pool is also an important part of hydrotherapy because chest-level water stabilizes the body and provides equilibrium of balance for participants.
“They can perform more like a normal person in the water,” said Ringold. “People can just do more in the water than on land.”
Berquist does not say that her students have disabilities, because she is amazed by their abilities when they are in the water.
Hydrotherapy classes have changed from primarily focusing on the disability to being geared toward creating social activity and outlets, said Ringold. “They develop a lot of social networks and it gets them interacting with others.”
“There is a lot of socialization that happens. They talk about medication and doctors. A lot of information sharing goes on during classes,” said Berquist.
Added Ott: “There is a lot of camaraderie. Sometimes I wonder if the socialization is better for them then the physical exercise.”
Hydrotherapy class
The cost of the class is based on a sliding scale; most clients pay about $8/class. Those interested in classes are encouraged to register through the MS Association of King County or by calling 206-633-2606. Although classes are designed for people with MS, the classes are open to those with other disabilities as well.