48 | Akwa | March / April / May 2023 Prehab and post rehab physical activity can be added to the list of non-drug therapies, such as Ai-Chi, aquatic yoga, aquatic Pilates, AquaStretch™, and Bad Ragaz in the water. Land-based alternatives include Tai Chi, gentle yoga, Pilates, massage therapy, spinal manipulation, myofascial releases, foam gliding, physical therapy, and acupuncture. A multi-professional team (e.g., physiatrist, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, dietitian) is often required for more complicated cases. This team may be supported by others who can help with the different stages of prehab and post-rehab, such as social workers, psy- chologists, and health-fitness professionals. Health-fitness professionals will work with a client on full- body fitness conditioning and training to improve function in all relevant parts of the body. Stimulating the entire body to promote the healing process is very important. Working on one muscle at a time creates isolation instead of inte- gration. Exercise that involves performing movements in an integrated way helps to transfer these skills into everyday life. This will also provide a measure of protection and faster health recovery for the future. It’s natural to feel stressed or depressed after a surgery. A men- tal health professional can help to manage emotional dis- comfort and treat any stage of depression. Stress and tension can worsen the pain. People enduring pain for three months or longer can also suffer from depression or another mood disorder. That means that pain can amplify depression and anxiety, and vice versa. In the water, the hydrostatic pressure increases blood flow to injured areas and relaxes muscles. This triggers the release of endorphins, which can decrease stress and anxiety associated with pain. Prehab and post-rehab goals are to individualize an exercise prescription through functional fitness and to create positive physiological responses. These options may also encourage the individual to learn/practice synchronized movements, meditation, and breathing patterns to assist with function and pain management. It can take many months to recover from an operation – encourage your clients to work closely with their medical and rehab team and follow their instructions to ensure that the hard work achieves the desired outcomes. REFERENCES Burdenko, I. and Miller, J. 2001.Defying Gravity. www.Burdenko.com. Carr, T. 2017. Real Relief from Back Pain. Consumer Reports, June 2017 CR.ORG Sykorova-Pritz, M. 2011. Chronic Pain Management from A to Z. Akwa. 24 (5): 33-34. ISSN 1536-5549 Sykorova-Pritz, M. 2014. Athletic Recovery. Akwa. 28 (1): 25-26. ISSN 1536-5549 Watson, S. 2022. How Rehab Can Help You Recover From Surgery, Medically Reviewed by Nayana Ambardekar MD on January 19, 2022. Rehab After Surgery: Why You Need It and How It Helps Recovery (webmd.com) AUTHOR Dr. Maria Pritz, EdD, is an exercise physiologist, implementing a unique integration of traditional exercise science and clinical exercise physiolo- gy, with 35 years of experience. Maria combines academic knowledge with hands on experience in functional fitness and pain management via land-based and aquatic fitness. Her unique training method (Syko- rovaSynchro Method SM) involves integration of multidisciplinary tech- niques to achieve overall health and optimized performance. Maria was awarded the 2020 AEA Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2021 ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award. She is currently a faculty member of ATRI, author, presenter, and continuing education developer for FLS/ NAFC. Examples of Aquatic Prehab or Post Rehab Leg Kicks Sit and Squeeze Purpose Stimulates the abdominal, back muscles, and muscles of lower extremities. chal- lenges the core. Purpose Improve balance, pelvic stability, and core strength. Starting Position In deep water float, in shallow water stay in ver- tical position. Starting Position Small ball between the thighs in sitting position. Movement 1. Bend knee of the stronger leg and kick it backward and forward. 2. Return to starting position. 3. Repeat with another leg. Movement Move arms in figure eight posi- tion to maintain balance. Mental Imagery/ Feedback Imagine playing soccer. Feel the leg mus- cles tingle. Mental Imagery/ Feedback Sitting on a stool. Visualize pelvis and shoulders in line. Equipment Flotation equip- ment for support in deep water (e.g., noodles, belts, or vest) Equipment Small ball
