A Note from One of Our SCI patients (Dr. Huang)
With the improvements I had in the department of hydrotherapy, I am grateful to tell you my Watsu experience at CHGH. And most importantly, I have to make a note stating that my greatest gratitude goes to my aquatic therapist, Julie Tzeng, who kindly introduced Watsu to me. Because of her professional skills and help, Watsu has changed my life afterwards.
Because of the trauma to the vertebral column in the year of 2013, just like many other SCI patients, my spinal cord’s ability had been affected since then. Specifically, my spinal cord would not be able to send and receive messages from the brain to the body systems that control sensory, motor and autonomic functions. Not only the abnormal muscle tone and pain that bothered me, I also suffered from the loss of muscle strength and loss of fine control of movements in extremities.
To solve the problems I had, my therapist, Julie Tzeng introduced me the technique, Watsu. From her explanation, I know Watsu is a passive form of aquatic bodywork/therapy that supports and gently moves a person through warm water in graceful fluid movements. In addition, I learn how the sympatholytic effects of Watsu lead to enhancement of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Moreover, Watsu promotes a deep state of relaxation with changes in the autonomic nervous system. Through quieting the sympathetic and enhancing the parasympathetic nervous systems, Watsu has profound effects on the neuromuscular system. As a result of it, I feel nothing else is as effective in decreasing the pain and improving the ability to move. The benefits that I received from multiple Watsu sessions are included decreased pain, decreased anxiety, decreased muscle spasm, increased range of motion and increased muscle relaxation.
I am thankful by the improvements I have made with my therapist, Julie Tzeng and water. To all the good memories and effects and to the more to come!
Language interpreter: Yi-Chen Chu, PTs at CHGH
Appreciation to my aquatic therapist, Julie Tzeng (Ms Chu)
I was diagnosed by “rheumatid arthritis”, and yet I was with low back pain all the time. It is just absolutely amazing to see I am no longer with complains about my low back. My sincere appreciation shall be sent to my therapists, Julie Tzeng and Joseph Tseng at CHGH. Because of the help they have offered, I am now fully recovered from the unpleasant lower back pain experience.
Julie is my aquatic therapist, who took good care of me and specifically eased my pain by the use of Wastu.
From my understanding, Watsu therapy incorporates gentle stretching in order to loosen and relax the muscles. Watsu sessions are performed in a therapeutic pool, so that Juile gently maneuvered me into the various stretches, without disrupting the relaxing and peaceful setting. As time went on, by the explanation she shared, I then learned Watsu is said to bring about a deep sense of calm, due to the warmth of the water and the tender touch of the practitioner.
Watsu brought me the powerful, memorable and the very magical experience. Because of Wastu, I now live with pain free. A big thanks to my therapists!
Language interpreter: Yi-Chen Chu, PTs at CHGH
I was diagnosed by “rheumatid arthritis”, and yet I was with low back pain all the time. It is just absolutely amazing to see I am no longer with complains about my low back. My sincere appreciation shall be sent to my therapists, Julie Tzeng and Joseph Tseng at CHGH. Because of the help they have offered, I am now fully recovered from the unpleasant lower back pain experience.
Julie is my aquatic therapist, who took good care of me and specifically eased my pain by the use of Wastu.
From my understanding, Watsu therapy incorporates gentle stretching in order to loosen and relax the muscles. Watsu sessions are performed in a therapeutic pool, so that Juile gently maneuvered me into the various stretches, without disrupting the relaxing and peaceful setting. As time went on, by the explanation she shared, I then learned Watsu is said to bring about a deep sense of calm, due to the warmth of the water and the tender touch of the practitioner.
Watsu brought me the powerful, memorable and the very magical experience. Because of Wastu, I now live with pain free. A big thanks to my therapists!
Language interpreter: Yi-Chen Chu, PTs at CHGH
A story between Watsu, A Physical Therapy Student and her clients at CHGH
Yi-Chen Chu, PTs at CHGH 02/05/14
There are times that I feel I lost my words and I think it is one of them. I am truly
touched by the benefits what Watsu has brought to different kinds of patients. It is a story
between Watsu, my clients and me at CHGH in the year of 2014.
From my teacher’s (Julie Tzeng) explanation and demonstration, I have learned Watsu is
a type of treatment programs to address therapeutic goals of decreasing muscle spasm and
pain, and restoring particular balance and spinal alignment. In addition, Watsu releases
gravity-induced pressure from the spine and joints, while calming the nervous system. The
deep relaxation and energy balancing specifically helps to relieve stress and prevent injury, as
well as assists in gently healing injury after it occurs.
While bodywork modalities are based on touch in a stationary, two-dimensional world,
Watsu offers a different experience. As Watsu is provided in a three-dimensional environment,
nearly free from gravity, within a warm and comforting fluid-space, it gives patients an
opportunity to connect with therapists to see the unbelievable therapeutic potential.
I have applied Watsu to orthopedic patients who have problems sleeping and
neurological patients who suffer from muscle stiffness and spasms. To all, they have shared
Watsu helps them achieve states of deep relaxation combined with the therapeutic benefits of
good massage therapy. Watsu makes great benefit in controlling pain, relieving stress, and
recovering from emotional and physical trauma.
Other than orthopedic and neurological patients, I also introduced Watsu to my client,
who is a survivor of the breast cancer. Surgery gave her a big help, and yet it has removed the
lymph nodes. Removing lymph nodes under the arm means there are fewer nodes to filter the
lymph fluid. With lymph fluid built up, lymphedema has occurred.
To solve her problem of the chronic swelling or feeling of tightness in the arm or hand, I
applied Watsu to her. During a Watsu session, I supported the client while moving her through
a continuous series of gentle stretches. The water allowed me to move gracefully through the
stretches, and to apply acupressure massage to the upper body, then the lower body, while
continually supporting the spine. This is because in the water the client floats due to the
anti-gravitational characteristic of water. The warm water also encouraged the muscles to stay
relaxed and improves circulation. At the end of the session, she told me that she had a great
nap and felt refreshed.. For the moment there, she talked to me with a big beautiful smile!!
Yi-Chen Chu, PTs at CHGH 02/05/14
There are times that I feel I lost my words and I think it is one of them. I am truly
touched by the benefits what Watsu has brought to different kinds of patients. It is a story
between Watsu, my clients and me at CHGH in the year of 2014.
From my teacher’s (Julie Tzeng) explanation and demonstration, I have learned Watsu is
a type of treatment programs to address therapeutic goals of decreasing muscle spasm and
pain, and restoring particular balance and spinal alignment. In addition, Watsu releases
gravity-induced pressure from the spine and joints, while calming the nervous system. The
deep relaxation and energy balancing specifically helps to relieve stress and prevent injury, as
well as assists in gently healing injury after it occurs.
While bodywork modalities are based on touch in a stationary, two-dimensional world,
Watsu offers a different experience. As Watsu is provided in a three-dimensional environment,
nearly free from gravity, within a warm and comforting fluid-space, it gives patients an
opportunity to connect with therapists to see the unbelievable therapeutic potential.
I have applied Watsu to orthopedic patients who have problems sleeping and
neurological patients who suffer from muscle stiffness and spasms. To all, they have shared
Watsu helps them achieve states of deep relaxation combined with the therapeutic benefits of
good massage therapy. Watsu makes great benefit in controlling pain, relieving stress, and
recovering from emotional and physical trauma.
Other than orthopedic and neurological patients, I also introduced Watsu to my client,
who is a survivor of the breast cancer. Surgery gave her a big help, and yet it has removed the
lymph nodes. Removing lymph nodes under the arm means there are fewer nodes to filter the
lymph fluid. With lymph fluid built up, lymphedema has occurred.
To solve her problem of the chronic swelling or feeling of tightness in the arm or hand, I
applied Watsu to her. During a Watsu session, I supported the client while moving her through
a continuous series of gentle stretches. The water allowed me to move gracefully through the
stretches, and to apply acupressure massage to the upper body, then the lower body, while
continually supporting the spine. This is because in the water the client floats due to the
anti-gravitational characteristic of water. The warm water also encouraged the muscles to stay
relaxed and improves circulation. At the end of the session, she told me that she had a great
nap and felt refreshed.. For the moment there, she talked to me with a big beautiful smile!!
Being a Watsu provider and a receiver
Ray Lin, PTs at CHGH 05/09/14
Provider
As a Wastu provider, I felt the clients set his mind at rest and complete relaxed on water surface. Such as a wind, push the leaves drifting on the very easily. My whole body and water mixed up to support my client.I would like to make every effort to protect this petal from other billow.
When I had applied Watsu to neurological patients suffered from muscle stiffness and abnormal muscle tone, I felt his muscle tone decrease and more relax on water surface. I also felt he can believe water, and dancing with water. The water flow between us and surround us.
In the procedure, I also played a mother or father. The orthopedic patient state that I also floating in amniotic fluid. Water release his muscle and solve his muscle tightness problem. After Watsu, she can move and control his body easily.
To be a wastu provider, I can see the clients stress release. The client more and more believe my contact. After the technique, I always see client smile and gratitude.
Receiver
During the Wastu, I can feel the water flow my fingers, arms and toes. The water massage my whole body, never loss any side. The water stretch my arms, legs, and my limbs can move more range. I just relax and lying in water.
After Wastu, I feel my body more light, and can do every movement without effort. Soreness and Tension are disappeared. I think I can have a good dream tonight.
Ray Lin, PTs at CHGH 05/09/14
Provider
As a Wastu provider, I felt the clients set his mind at rest and complete relaxed on water surface. Such as a wind, push the leaves drifting on the very easily. My whole body and water mixed up to support my client.I would like to make every effort to protect this petal from other billow.
When I had applied Watsu to neurological patients suffered from muscle stiffness and abnormal muscle tone, I felt his muscle tone decrease and more relax on water surface. I also felt he can believe water, and dancing with water. The water flow between us and surround us.
In the procedure, I also played a mother or father. The orthopedic patient state that I also floating in amniotic fluid. Water release his muscle and solve his muscle tightness problem. After Watsu, she can move and control his body easily.
To be a wastu provider, I can see the clients stress release. The client more and more believe my contact. After the technique, I always see client smile and gratitude.
Receiver
During the Wastu, I can feel the water flow my fingers, arms and toes. The water massage my whole body, never loss any side. The water stretch my arms, legs, and my limbs can move more range. I just relax and lying in water.
After Wastu, I feel my body more light, and can do every movement without effort. Soreness and Tension are disappeared. I think I can have a good dream tonight.