Is there a decent replacement for water therapy?

[congodwarf]

I have arthritis in my hip. It's not degenerative or anything. It's just an inflammation in the hip joint. The medication I was given mostly helps to dull the pain for at about 5 or 6 hours per pill and I'm trying to take only one per day to make them last as long as possible.

But, money is very tight right now and the ER doctor told me my best chance for making the inflammation go away is to swim.

Well, I don't have a pool. A 1 month membership to the local Y is $70 and we really don't want to spend that if we can get away with something else (but we will if there's nothing at all I can do that's even close to as good as swimming).


So, I come to you all for help. Is there some kind of exercise (yoga, pilates, regular stretching, anything) that will in any way mimic the benefits of swimming? Obviously I wont be able to get the weightlessness but there must be something else I can do.

The ER doctor told me that while swimming, avoid the frog kick, or whatever it's called. Basically, he wants me to focus on extension and flexion, with very little to no adduction and abduction.

[pudytat72]

try a stationary bicycle. That would be less weight-bearing than walking, but not as good as swimming.

Look for other indoor pools. I pay $35.00 per month for unlimited swim (during open swim time) at an indoor heated salt-water pool. (In Texas) This pool has special exercise classes for people with arthritis. Look for a pool that is heated to at least 88 degrees.

Ask your doctor for a prescription for water exercise and then it is a deductible medical expense.

[Cyros]

Have you talked to the Y to see if they can do a discounted membership? Our Y looks at your income and expenses and then offers a discounted rate (ours discounted to the point that we pay $20/month for a family of three).

[congodwarf]

pudytat There aren't many pools in my area but I did find one at the hotel/conference center. I called this morning and they do sell memberships. Usually it's just as expensive as the Y but he said they have a summer special starting on June 1 which is $115 for all of June, July and August. This is a hugely better deal than $75 for one month at the Y. I talked to my boyfriend about it (he'll be paying for it until I start getting paid and can pay him back) and even he agreed. We're most likely going to do this one because it'll give me even more time to get my hip working again before school starts up in the fall. So, thanks for that suggestion. It hadn't occurred to me that a hotel would sell memberships to it's athletic center.

Oh and the doctor told me no bikes (stationary or otherwise), no treadmills, no ellipticals, and no rowers (this one really annoys me). Basically, no lower body exercise machines.




Cyros Funds aren't tight because we're poor. They're tight because we spent too much in May and we're irresponsible and don't have a rainy day fund. Technically I would qualify for a discount because I haven't worked in 3 years (recovering from a work injury and then in school full time) and I just started a part time summer job. But, I know I don't qualify because my boyfriend supports me while I'm in school and I'd never forgive myself for abusing the system like that (says the girl who grew up in poverty and benefited from things like this many times in her life). However, for other people it IS an excellent suggestion. I wonder if people who are suffering in this economy realize that there are benefits like this available.

[Enginerd]

You say you're in school full-time - does your school have a gym that students can use?

[kanicbird]

Summers here, do you have any natural water sources, streams with deep enough pools, lakes, ponds you can use? Doesn't usually cost anything and many people find a benefit of being in nature to boot.

You may also get some benefit from using a bathtub and soaking in it. Additionally you can get a small pool fairly cheaply, some people have even used them inside, but that has potential for major and minor issues.

[congodwarf]

Enginerd It does but my school is a 45 minute drive away. The amount I'd spend in gas for 1.5 weeks would cost more than a membership at the Y - unfortunately. I also have full access to my best friend's mom's pool but hers is the same situation as the school one. The Y and the conference center are about 3 miles from my house and about half a mile from my job so the gas use is minimal.


Kanicbird My tub is ok for taking a bath if you don't mind having half your body out of the water. It's not the most relaxing or medially beneficial tub out there. The only place I know of (I haven't been here long) is used for fishing and canoeing. I have no idea if swimming is allowed. I'll have to call them and find out if they allow it. I'll also ask around in case there are places to swim that I don't know about. Any ponds or rivers are probably still cold but I like cold water (I suspect that warm water is more therapeutic though - anyone know?)

You just gave me an awesome idea though. I could get one of these and just hold on to the short end and kick. After all, I'm not a great swimmer anyway and I'd most likely be using one of those body board things because I'm so uncoordinated. Something like this would give the same effect, I think.