Aquatic Therapy Testimonials

These testimonials were written in February, 2001 by participants of Kathleen Christ's Aquatic therapy classes.

I am 57 years old, and I have taken a warm water exercise class twice a week for the last 6 ½ years.  I have Osteoarthritis of the knee and back.  I had a total knee replacement done 2 years ago on my left knee. I had been in terrible pain for many years.  The only place I could walk without feeling pain was in the water – warm water.  I was able to walk and do exercises in the water I could not do on land.  When I finally got to the point where my knee hurt even in the water, I knew it was time.  The doctors had been telling me for years that there was no cartilage left in that knee, but I was resistant to having surgery because I was so young and was told a knee replacement would probably only last for maybe 10-15 years.  Two weeks after my surgery, I returned to my water exercise class, and have been doing beautifully since.  I am now able to shop and go walking without the pain.  I was able to go dancing again and not feel pain.  I credit the fact that I was able to postpone surgery for so long to the water exercise, because my muscles would have atrophied due to lack of exercise.  Even though I can do land exercises now, I will not give up my warm water exercise because I know the benefits from being in the warm water.  There is more resistance in the water, although you don’t realize it, so you get a better workout.  I find exercising in the warm water very relaxing, but also stimulating.  After all, it is way better that vegetating on the couch and being in pain when you get up.

Jeanette Hollman

I have been a participant in Kathleen’s aquatic therapy exercise classes from their inception about two years ago.   At that time I had been diagnosed as having fibromyalgia, a painful chronic condition of the connective tissues.  I began a search for WARM water classes, which would offer gentle exercises to relieve the pain and which would strengthen muscles and build endurance.  Kathleen’s classes were the perfect answer to my search, and the classes have enabled me to reach a tolerable level of pain and to reach a level of endurance that enables me to do the things I enjoy most.  In addition, these classes are a tremendous spirit lifter, because they offer pain relief in a way that isn't available through other means of therapy.

 Barbara Burnside

The aquatic therapy class is wonderfully healing in body and spirit.  The music and slow movement through the water allows your body to stretch and find balance.  You are able to move your limbs in different ways that would be very hard or painful on land because the water is there to support you.
Before returning to work, I was able to enjoy the class three times a week.   Now that I am limited to Saturday class, I am using yoga to supplement the benefits I get from the exercise in the water.  I recommend this exercise regimen to anyone…it is the best use of time for the results.

Ann Gulick
Class participant since 1999

I am writing this to let others who have fibromyalgia know that warm water exercises can make a true difference to their quality of life.  I am a 53-year-old woman who has had symptoms of fibromyalgia since 1990, but did not get a diagnosis until I had a full-blown flare-up in 1997.  That episode was so devastating that I was unable to walk any distance at all and indeed had to use a wheel chair to do grocery shopping or dealing with airports.  But it wasn’t until I moved to St. Louis two years ago and was recommended to Kathleen Christ’s warm water exercise classes that I was able to reclaim a higher level of energy and strength in my day-to-day life.  The first time I attended her class, I had to sit on a bench and recover my strength before I was able to walk to the dressing room, which is how weak I was.  Within four weeks of twice weekly classes I saw a great  improvement in my strength and stamina, less fatigue and greater relief from pain.   In fact I got so healthy after attending her classes regularly for about a year that I thought I could leave and begin doing land based exercise classes.  I tried a senior citizens’ exercise class in my neighborhood, but was unable to keep up with people in their 70’s, and in stead of getting stronger, I got weaker.  Well, you can guess what I did: I returned to Kathleen’s classes and I try to never miss a class.   Even if I am feeling poorly on a class day, I will still go and just be in the water and take the exercises easy.  I have found that the consistency of attending is highly important, but it is so worth it to be able to enjoy life again.  I highly recommend Kathleen and her classes.

Diane  Engles

Friends of Kathleen-
I need to get back in touch with my body – and the most effective way has always been through water exercise.   Prior to taking the aquatics class I had severe fascitis- stiffness and pain on the bottoms of my feet.   Through the combination of the warmth, relaxation and stretching I was able to do in the water classes twice a week, my fascitis has completely disappeared.  Now, I am able to walk and do water exercise.   It has been wonderful!

Mary Lou Fitzsimmons

Water exercise class is a priority in my life.  Exercise in warm water relieves my pain due to osteoarthritis and is relaxing as well as giving me flexibility and energy.   I have been able to postpone knee replacement surgery for over 5 years and am still doing well even going on vacation, walking and climbing steps.  We have a congenial class and are always happy to see people join us because we know how much the water exercise will improve their health.

Betty Eise