PONTIAC (Saturday December 23, 2006)
Center treats patients with aquatic therapy
By EILEEN McCARVILLE Special to The Oakland Press

Some people remember how FDR realized the healing properties of water. The late U.S. president often visited Warm Springs, Ga., to enjoy therapeutic baths that helped him recuperate from polio.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is just one of the thousands of people who have benefited by warm water as an alternative to traditional rehabilitative methods like physical therapy.
Locally, those who visit Blue Dolphin, an aquatic therapy center in Pontiac, can also enjoy its healing benefi ts.
The facility helps people suffering from a variety of conditions, including auto injuries, common injuries and illnesses, chronic pain, neck and back injuries, stroke, spinal cord injury, closed head injury, amputation, arthritis, fatigue, orthopedic injuries and fibromyalgia - a chronic syndrome that causes muscle, joint and bone pain.
Water is also beneficial to those with behavioral and emotional disabilities.
"Water is nonweight-bearing," said owner Bob Willard, explaining why aquatic therapy provides relief.
"Traditional methods like physical therapy are harder on the body, pulling it down because of gravity. Through aquatic therapy, a therapist can work with you in a much better way."
Willard opened his facility three years ago, after 30 years in the health care industry - and after he experienced pain firsthand. "I was having back pain and looking for a way to relieve it without drugs and all the other interventions," Willard said. "I swam in high school and college and realized water was a way to go."
The facility houses a 25-yard pool with a depth that ranges from 5 to 9 feet. The water temperature is maintained between 94-95 degrees, a safe and comfortable level for those experiencing treatment.
"Water temperature is important, as warm water will relax the muscle tissue and increase the blood flow," Willard said.
Everyone knows a hot bath feels good, and history shows even Native Americans enjoyed the healing properties of hot springs. The benefi ts of aquatic therapy are many, Willard said.
"Aquatic therapy improves range of motion. It's not stressful to injured areas, and it promotes strength and muscle tone. It improves balance and coordination, decreases pain level, and improves sensory perception, walking and weight-bearing ability. It increases physical endurance and stamina, and improves cardiovascular strength and head and breath control," he said.
Virtually anyone, including people with paralysis, can be helped.
"Entry into the water is not an issue for anybody because we have a hydraulic lift chair, and we can make transitions from walkers, wheelchairs and for those who are paralyzed. Christopher Reeve did a lot for that," said Willard, referring to the late actor who had paralysis and extolled the benefits of aquatic therapy.
The team of professionals includes physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, aquatic instructors and psychotherapists. Each is involved in a different phase of the person's recovery.
The warm water supplies a "threedimensional resistance fi eld," allowing for safe therapeutic movements in the water, according to Blue Dolphin's Web site, www.bluedolphin inc.com.
Senior citizens are a big part of the business, Willard said.
Sports injuries are another area served. Blue Dolphin sees top athletes walk through its doors, like past and present members of the Detroit Pistons.
Athletes are some of the biggest regulars. "Those guys just beat themselves up. People don't realize it," Willard said.
Willard wants prospective clients to know that Blue Dolphin accepts most insurance plans.
In addition to its facility, Blue Dolphin provides presentations for senior centers, churches and other groups.
"We are not a water aerobics or exercise program. We are strictly for rehabilitation," Willard said.
"When we get patients functioning, we recommend they get into their community pool programs to continue. We really enhance each other. People come to us to get better and then maintain the quality of life through their parks and recreation departments."

The Oakland Press/VAUGHN GURGANIAN Therapist Larry Orr (right) works with Tom Henderson of Holly at Blue Dolphin in Pontiac.