Five days a week the warm waters of a therapy pool are the focus of a very specific workout program.

Charlene Tomlinson is an aquatic instructor at the Wellness Center of Cape Coral. She says, “The T.A.P class is called the therapeutic aquatic program and it’s for people with arthritis or any problems with moving joints. I work with them by exercising all the joints in the body and I start from the head down to the bottom and then the bottom up.”

Charlene makes sure joints, both large and small, get moving in the pool. From fingers to hips, gentle movements help relieve stress throughout the body. “I think a lot of people have problems with their joints, I don’t care what age you are people have problems and this does help. It’s much easier on their joints. If you did it in cold water they would hurt and with the warm water being 93 to 95 degrees it does help them with the exercises,” says Charlene.

Some of the swimmers have been taking the class for several years. “They love it. They really feel much better. When they’re not here they can feel the difference.” To learn more about disease specific programs you can call 239-573-4800.

Aquatic exercise is popular among arthritis sufferers because of the low impact it has on the joints.