The Cupertino Courier

Community

Timpany Center pool offers freedom for aching bodies

By Erin Hussey

At the age of 40, Lea Hayden was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Had she not started exercising regularly at the Timpany Center's warm water pool, Hayden says her active lifestyle would not be what it is today.

"I do a lot of volunteer work for the Salvation Army and my church," says Hayden, a Sunnyvale resident.

Hayden, who is retired and 73 years old, started attending arthritis therapy classes at the center more than 30 years ago. Free from prior foot pain, she walks an average of two miles per day.

"This is really what kept me going."

Easter Seals Bay Area, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting adults and children with disabilities, has been operating the Timpany Center in San Jose for nine years.

The center prides itself on its wheelchair-accessible, 100,000-gallon, 92-degree therapeutic pool and 102-degree spa. It is one of the only centers of its kind in the area.

"The warm water relaxes the body, relaxes the muscles and improves blood circulation," says Peter Olson, director of health and wellness services at the Timpany Center. The center offers a variety of classes, including ones for post-stroke patients and for people suffering from back pain. One-on-one lessons are also available.

"We have kids coming in at 6 months and older clients coming in at 95 years old," says Olson.

In addition to the closely monitored heated pool, heat lamps hang about the pool to create a warm, comfortable environment. In fact, the temperature on the pool deck cannot go below 4 degrees cooler or 5 degrees warmer than the pool water itself. The concrete around the pool is also heated to prevent accidents and cold feet.

"The water actually allows them to have the quality of life that they cannot get on land," says Michelle Minor, an instructor and lifeguard at Timpany. Minor, who is recovering from a shoulder injury herself, has been an aquatics instructor for 10 years.

"Because there is zero gravity in the water, it allows them to move freely without constraints or restrictions."

Cupertino resident Deborah Barrett, who has fibromyalgia, can attest to the water's therapeutic powers.

The disease, which is characterized by diffuse or specific muscle, joint or bone pain and fatigue, doesn't have a universally accepted cure.

"When it's really bad, it puts you in bed for as long as three days," says Barrett. "I wasn't able to exercise; even walking would trigger the flare-up."

Barrett started working out independently at the Timpany Center one year ago. When she first started, she could do only 10 minutes of aquatic walking; today she works out for one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"Over the past two years I have lost 50 pounds, with diet and exercise, and coming here three times a week has allowed me to keep it off," she says. Barrett notes that her blood pressure and pulse have also decreased significantly.

"Coming here helps me manage the pain, so when I do have a flare-up it's not as bad. My doctor is very pleased that I have found a form of exercise because it is just so important for every part of your life."

The benefits of the Timpany Center are more than just physical.

"It offers a social structure," says Hayden, who regularly carpools to Timpany with a friend from Sunnyvale.

"I generate birthday cards and we sing happy birthday. It's a real support system."

Barrett, who continues to work out independently, agrees that the welcoming, supportive environment is what sets the center apart.

"A lot of women are a little shy and they won't go to the gym because 'Barbie' is always there," she says. "Here, there is absolutely none of that. No one is here for looks. People are very friendly and everybody fits in."

The majority of the pool is 4 feet deep with a small 8-foot section for those who want to participate in deep-water exercises. Outside the pool, the Timpany Center also offers therapeutic 30-, 60-, and 90-minute massages by certified massage therapists. Basic memberships start at $45 per month.

"The water has a lot of unlimited healing capabilities," says Minor. "When people come out of here, they are a new person."

The Timpany Center is located at 730 Empey Way in San Jose, behind Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and is open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pool is closed on Sunday. For more information, visit www.eastersealsbayarea.org or call 408.295.0228.

--Tiffany Carney contributed to this article.