Fibromyalgia affects roughly 5 million Americans over the age of 18, most of them being women.  It can be a debilitating disease that causes soreness all over the body and gives general flu-like symptoms.  It is a chronic problem that is believed to be brought on by infection, trauma, repetitive actions, or even car accidents.  Women's Health.Gov has some very good information on the subject if you think you or someone you know is suffering from fibromyalgia.

Some people have found relief through hot water therapy, such as sitting in a hot tub, and others have found relief by Pool Therapy Exercise.  Pool Therapy Exercise is not relaxing in a hot tub, it is actively doing exercises, often with fins on to increase water resistance.

Joy E. Daniels wrote an informative article about the benefits that she found from using warm pool water in her own home and how it transformed her life of pain, brought on by fibromyalgia after a car accident, into one where she can manage her pain.

According to Joy, "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia two years after an auto accident.  My bruises and fractures had healed, but my pain persisted and was increasing.  Until my doctor mentioned it, I had never heard of fibromyalgia.  When I read about night attacks, roaming pain, brain fog, and fatigue, I was relieved that someone understood – and then I was shocked that I might have to live with this. I was sent to a physical therapy pool.

That 14-foot pool was amazing.  The water was 93 degrees, and you could walk against a strong current.  I was given six exercises, and over time I invented a dozen more.  After several weeks, I noticed I was getting back some gracefulness.  This was encouraging because I had become clumsy and weak since my accident.  Then I began to get stronger – I could now open a door with one hand.  I could pass heavy plates at holiday meals.  Eventually, I noticed I was living with less pain and beginning to feel more normal."

At one point she stopped her pool water exercises and her symptoms returned, so she realized the Pool Therapy Exercises were going to have to be part of her routine indefinitely.  She said that she has no problem staying motivated to keep up on her exercises because she really feels better and sleeps better when she does and notices the difference very soon when she doesn't.

Because her fibromyalgia was the result of a car accident she was eventually able to get her auto insurance to reimburse her for the cost of her pool that she installed in her home because the Pool Therapy was doctor prescribed.

Tropical Fiberglass Pools and Spas also sells many smaller fiberglass pool models that can be used with swim jets like Joy was describing.  Pool jets can be placed in most models and anyone can walk against the current, in the privacy of their own home.

Tropical Fiberglass Pools & Spas now carry a terrific line of swim spas. Come into our showroom and let us show you. You can even take a test swim!