Spilyay Tymoo, Warm Springs, Oregon January 2, 2019 Page 7 Physical therapist offers aquatic therapy sessions by Alicia Oberholzer Physical Therapist, W.S. Holistic Health Clinic While the healing properties of water have been accepted for cen- turies, the understanding of how aquatics can be used in rehabilita- tion is continually evolving. Current evidence supports the use of hydrotherapy for a variety of ailments ranging from acute injuries to chronic pain and neu- romuscular pathologies. The following commentary will highlight how the unique proper- ties of water are being used in physical therapy to improve pain, function, and quality of life. Hydrostatic pressure When a person is immersed in water, hydrostatic pressure creates a compressive force against the body. This compression can help to reduce edema, provide natural re- sistance against respiratory muscles, improve venous return and support more efficient cardiac function. In addition, the pressure of the water can help to stabilize joints, improve body awareness, and slow down movements that are more challenging on land. These combined advantages make the pool an ideal setting to safely prac- tice walking or balance training with a therapist. Viscosity Alicia Oberholzer Buoyancy Buoyancy is a force against gravity that causes our bodies to be lighter in the water. This means that a person can perform the same exercises as on land but with less loading through their joints. Many people who have diffi- culty exercising or walking on land due to joint pain have an im- proved tolerance in the water. To put this effect into perspec- tive, by standing waist deep in the water, body weight is reduced by approximately 50 percent. The deeper the body is sub- merged, the greater the effect. A person weighs only 25-30 percent of their normal weight with chest immersion, and only 10 percent when immersed to the neck. As water is approximately 1,000 times as dense as air, it cre- ates a natural resistance as the body moves through and against it. This aquatic property supports an alternative environment for ex- ercise, even for highly trained in- dividuals. For an injured athlete, the pool can be an important com- ponent of maintaining fitness through their recovery. Various studies have shown that aquatic exercise programs can lead to significant improvements in upper and lower extremity strength and power, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), calorie expenditure, and body composi- tion. In addition, research has con- cluded that deep water running can help to maintain or improve aerobic capacity in highly trained athletes as well as sedentary indi- viduals. From a therapeutic per- spective, this means that incorpo- rating deep water running into a rehabilitation program can be an excellent way to stay in shape with- out aggravating injuries. Temperature Water is a powerful conductor and transfers heat 25 times faster than air. This means that the ther- mal effects of the water are eas- St. Charles’ bringing comprehensive cancer services to Redmond To increase St. Charles Cancer Center’s capacity to care for pa- tients, the health system board ap- proved expansion of comprehen- sive cancer services in Redmond. Radiation oncology and cancer sup- port services will open in Redmond alongside St. Charles medical on- cology services. “We are so excited to expand the services available to cancer patients in our region,” said Dr. Linyee Chang, medical director of the St. Charles Cancer Center. “Our patients currently travel from War m Springs, Madras, Redmond, Prineville and farther for radiation oncology treatments. This is a hardship on patients who often need treatments for multiple days in a row.” Planning is underway for the expansion of services and more details will be decided in coming months. In addition to radiation oncology, St. Charles ultimately plans to augment support services for cancer patients in Redmond as well. These services include oncol- ogy rehabilitation, massage, Reiki, acupuncture, social services, sur- vivorship wellness programs, finan- cial counseling, nutrition services and more. Accredited by the National Ac- creditation Program of Breast Centers, the Commission on Can- cer and the American Society of Radiation Oncolog y, the St. Charles Cancer Center offers high- quality care with incredible out- comes. “We are proud to offer out- standing cancer treatment services for patients throughout Central Oregon,” said Dr. Jeff Absalon, chief physician executive for St. Around Indian Country United Keetoowah Band dealt setback in pursuit of new casino The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians won’t have the support of the city of Enid as it pursues a new casino in Okla- homa. The tribe asked the city com- mission to approve two agree- ments for the proposed develop- ment. But the idea was shot down at a city meeting last week. One agreement called for the tribe to pay the city about $11.8 million over seven years, while the other would require the tribe to pay 4.6 percent of the sales of food, beverage and non-gam- ing goods to the city. In exchange, the city would have supported the tribe’s land-into-trust application for a 5.4-acre site. The tribe could still move for- ward with the application. But lack of support at the local level could affect how the Bureau of Indian Affairs reviews the project. It also could affect whether the state ultimately signs off. The tribe is pursuing the casino un- der the two-part determination provisions of the Indian Gam- ing Regulatory Act, meaning the governor's approval will be needed further down the line. The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians was forced to close its casino in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in August 2013 be- cause the tribe was not autho- rized to conduct gaming at the site. Photo: Keetoowah Chero- kee Casino The tribe previously operated a casino at its headquarters in Tahlequah. But the facility had to shut down due to litigation filed by the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokees argue that their consent is required before land within the historic Cherokee Reservation can be placed in trust for any other tribe. The Bureau of Indian Affairs disagreed with that contention and began ap- proving land-into-trust applica- tions for the United Keetoowah Band during the Obama era. A federal judge, however, sided with the Cherokees in a May 2017 decision. Charles Health System. “This expansion in Redmond is much needed and will provide greater access to care.” St. Charles Health System, Inc., headquartered in Bend, owns and operates St. Charles Bend, Ma- dras, Prineville and Redmond. It also owns family care clinics in Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond and Sisters. St. Charles is a private, not-for- profit Oregon corporation and is the largest employer in Central Oregon with more than 4,200 caregivers. In addition, there are more than 350 active medical staff members and nearly 200 visiting medical staff members who part- ner with the health system to pro- vide a wide range of care and ser- vice to our communities. ily transferred to the body. The ideal temperature of the water depends on the treatment goal, though hot and cold can both can have a positive effect on pain. Warm water creates an environ- ment that supports relaxation, in- creased tissue flexibility, tone re- duction, reduced blood pressure, and improved peripheral blood flow. In contrast, cooler water water can be helpful to decrease swell- ing, improve healing, and reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Alicia Oberholzer, a Physical Therapist at Warm Springs Holis- tic Health, is offering one-on-one Aquatic Physical Therapy sessions at the Madras Aquatic Center. She ear ned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Regis Uni- versity in 2015 and her Professional Certification of Clinical Compe- tency in Aquatic Therapy through the American Physical Therapy As- sociation in July 2017. All aquatic therapy participants are required to have a referral from their medical doctor and must first participate in a full evaluation in the Physical Therapy Clinic to de- termine if they are a candidate. If you have further questions, please contact Warm Springs Ho- listic Health at 541-777-2663. Attention young artists The museum at Warm Springs in Febru- ary will host the Twenty- Sixth Tribal Youth Art Exhibit. The museum is ac- cepting artwork submis- sions through Friday, February 1. Teachers are wel- come to submit entire classroom projects. In- dividual art is also wel- come. The Youth Art Show is a chance for young people show their cre- ativity. There will be an opening reception for the Youth Art Show on Thursday, February 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. For additional infor- mation talk to museum curator Natalie Kirk, 541-553-3331 ext. 412. Apply now for OSU Extension Master Food Preserver Program Applications are being accepted for Master Food Preserver volun- teer training for 2019. Master Food Preservers help Central Oregonians make safe food preser vation choices, avoid serious illness and help reduce food waste. The appli- cation deadline is February 14. Oregon State University Service Extension offices are recruiting vol- unteers to participate in food safety and preser vation training on Wednesdays, April 3 to May 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fun, interactive training sessions will be at the OSU Extension/Deschutes County of- fice at the Fairgrounds in Redmond. The program fee is $75. After an interview and accep- tance into the program, trainees will receive an extensive resource note- book with the current, most reli- able methods for preserving food safely at home. “Hands on” prac- tice in the kitchen will help partici- pants reinforce their knowledge and skills. Master Food Preserver volun- teer trainees agree to spend 48 hours helping local residents learn how to handle and preserve food safely during the food preserva- tion season. Volunteer activities in- clude conducting or assisting with public workshops, testing pressure canner gauges, and staffing exhibit booths at county fairs. Persons interested in becoming a Master Food Preserver volun- teer should review the Master Food Preserver program information and application link at: extension.oregonstate.edu/ deschutes/events/master-food- preserver-volunteer-program. If you have questions, call 541-548- 6088. Or email: glenda.hyde@oregonstate.edu