At University Medical Center Burnham East, recovery isn’t confined to a traditional gym, it sometimes happens in a pool. University Medical Center of El Paso offers an innovative aquatic therapy program, giving patients a new way to recover and rebuild strength in the water.
During a recent visit, KFOX 14 spoke with Mario Castorena, a physical therapist assistant at UMC El Paso, about how the facility uses water to aid patient recovery.
“A lot of it is they’re offloading their body while they’re in the water,” Castorena explained. “The water is about 94 degrees, they’re able to relax while doing exercises and makes it a lot easier on the joints.”
Aquatic therapy is especially helpful for people dealing with arthritis, osteoporosis, or joint discomfort. The water’s natural buoyancy takes pressure off the joints, making movement easier and allowing patients to exercise more comfortably and safely.
Castorena emphasized the relaxing yet therapeutic nature of the pool sessions. “It just relaxes their body, that’s the main thing,” he shared. “We’re able to progress them with the exercises in the pool and slowly start adding some resistance.”
Patients can expect full-body benefits from exercises like core strengthening with water dumbbells and leg-focused movements, performed in a low-impact, supportive environment.
UMC’s aquatic rehab centers welcome a wide variety of patients, including those recovering from surgery or injury, as well as individuals seeking a gentler route to physical wellness.
You don’t have to be an UMC patient to attend these therapies, but a physician referral and qualifying insurance are required.
UMC El Paso aquatic therapy locations:
- East: 8360 Burnham Dr.
- West: 6600 N. Desert Blvd.
For more information to get started, call (915) 521-2255 or visit www.umcelpaso.org
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