Using water to battle MS, [By COURTNEY KLEMM -- Herald & Review]
DECATUR - Colorful air-filled rubber balls splashed in the water with each attempt to pass them to the next person.

Laughter and constant chatter echoed against the walls of the aquatics area at the Greater Decatur Y as the women gathered in the pool passed the gertie exercise balls to their right, then to their left, then over their heads.

The gertie balls allow muscular stretching that is always beneficial but provides even more health advantages to those with multiple sclerosis.

In the very first YMCA aquatics class geared toward people with multiple sclerosis, class director Barb Entrot leads participants each Tuesday morning through a program designed to help them with health problems associated with MS.

Entrot attended an aquatics training workshop for multiple sclerosis in Chicago to aid in creating a strategy for the class. Each session varies, but all are composed of a warm-up, stretching, range-of-motion exercises, such as shoulder raises and wrist rolls, and a cardio or endurance portion, usually including jumping jacks and leg lifts in the pool. Resistant floats and the side of the pool provide means to work each muscle.

"We try to cover all of the body parts," Entrot said. "It helps with their balance and well-being and helps them to accomplish movement."

And after five weeks in the class, the participants said they have noticed a difference in both their bodies and the emotional well-being they receive from the support and light conversation that consumes each session.

"I just want to be in the best health that I can, to get fit and feel healthier as much as I can," said Sue Durham. "It's given me the motivation to keep moving at home and has helped with the pain I have with my hip on the right side. You have to keep your muscles limber and stretch. You need to do it every day, whether here or at home."

Each day is different when it comes to the pain associated with multiple sclerosis, so Entrot makes sure to check on her participants.

"Sometimes they might have a hard time getting dressed, and other days, no problem at all," she said. "I have to watch them closely, and I'm always asking if they're OK."

With the water in the pool kept at a pleasant 83 degrees, the class participants are able to comfortably work their muscles and joints.

"I find myself looking forward to coming to the Y and getting in the water," said Carla Andrick, who attends the class with her mother, Virginia Wilhelm, whom she calls the "lucky one" to drive her, since Andrick is no longer able. "Water exercise is the best thing for MS. Everything you can't do on land, you can do in the water."

Water aerobics allows people with multiple sclerosis to move various parts of their body they wouldn't normally be able to while being easier on their joints, Entrot said.

Carolyn Mack said she has always turned to exercise to improve the health effects of multiple sclerosis and wanted to attend the aquatics program to continue working out and be a source of encouragement to others.

"I do regular aerobics three times a week, and I wanted to do this to motivate other people to do it," she said.

As each class comes to an end, Entrot leads the participants in a cool down, with stretching to relieve any muscle tension from the session. In balletlike moves, the members of the group raise their arms, and with their hands over their heads, they clap a round of applause for the step toward better health they have taken in a fight against the disease that plagues their bodies.
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