Since her diagnosis with osteoarthritis in 2005, June has been determined to manage her condition as effectively as possible to maximise her quality of life. She suffers from arthritis around her joints so strengthening muscle and optimising flexibility is crucial. In addition to her ongoing programme of physio sessions and gym and pool workouts at Nirvana Spa, our Sports Therapist, Jamie, recently invited June to take part in a trial of the Dead Sea Salt Therapy Pool.

“I never want to get out. I go from an elephant seal on land to an otter in the water!”

Despite some initial nerves about balancing upright when out of her depth, June surprised herself by gaining confidence in the pool incredibly quickly. As part of her programme, she has been doing one session a week under Jamie’s supervision and one session by herself. Her exercise programme which includes hip extensions, knee flexes and jumping jacks, is designed to increase her range of movement and improve her balance, flexibility and core strength.

Jamie takes measurements at every session and could immediately see a striking improvement in June’s mobility when she did the exercises in the pool compared to on land. June also experiences significantly reduced discomfort when moving within the water due to the lack of contact pain when floating. She says “I feel taller in the pool, the buoyancy is amazing.”

“It is such an incredible environment. Every time I go down the ramp into the pool, my smile grows”

For June the health benefits are clear.  Her fitness programme is designed to maintain her condition at a level where she can avoid needing a wheelchair and put off having any operations for as long as possible.   Keeping her joints in optimum shape is key and the hydrotherapy is helping to achieve this by keeping her flexible and strong.

But the Dead Sea Salt Pool also offers so much more than that when it comes to June’s overall wellbeing.  For her it is as much a mental benefit as a physical one.  She says; “I feel mentally more relaxed and happier after being in the pool, it is an incredibly freeing place to be”.

“Wednesday is my favourite day of the week; the Dead Sea Salt Pool is my natural element”

Nirvana Health wants to benefit as many people as possible through affordable hydrotherapy.  As your first session is used primarily to adapt to floating upright and exercising in the water, we are pleased to offer new customers a second session for free to ensure they gain the maximum benefits.