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Got some aches and pains in your joints? Have
hip dysplasia, muscle atrophy, obesity,
arthritis or other ailments? I heard my Mom
talking about something called water therapy.
This is a great time of year in AZ and what
better way to get well then by swimming. Did
you know that swimming is a wonderful way to
exercise stiff joints, hip replacements or FHOs,
and other orthopedic problems? It can also help
you get you back into your summer svelte shape
after all that hibernating during our wet
winter.
 If
your swimming pool is heated you can start now.
If not, as soon as the water gets warmer go for
a daily swim with your human. The warm water
will keep your muscles from tensing up and help
stretch them without causing any injuries.
Don’t have a swimming pool? Even without a
swimming pool there are lots of exercises you
and your human can do that are fun and
therapeutic. Have you deliberately walked
backwards? It’s great for putting weight on
those back legs and working the muscles.
Standing on 3 feet (with your human’s help) also
helps those back muscles. What about going up
and down stairs? Another good exercise – just
don’t plow into your human coming down the
stairs. They don’t like that very much.
Does this sound like a good idea but not sure
you can do it alone? Well, there’s a great
canine physical rehabilitation located in our
area. Just call AZGRC or e-mail them and
they’ll let you know about it. One simple call
and your human can setup an evaluation and get a
home program put together so you two can
exercise together at home.
Remember – no pain, no gain!
Finnigan
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