Muller Aquatic Center Opens

“I have a fractured back, and when I get in the warm water, I get relief,” said 102-year-old Clarence Agress. The healing 91-degree pool Agress soaks in is located in the former Diver’s Den (22 Anacapa St.), which has been transformed into the Muller Aquatic Center, where aquatic certified, licensed therapists perform “miracles,” according to participants now functioning at a level they never thought possible.

Aquatic therapy differs from traditional land therapy in that buoyancy allows for early weight bearing, pain-free mobility, and a quicker recovery. It can also help to avoid surgery. Tina Brown averted a knee replacement through aquatic therapy. When the other knee went, she was told if she didn’t get it replaced, she would have to use a walker the rest of her life. She started water therapy again and successfully averted surgery once more. “Now, my goal is to go snorkeling in the Cayman Islands,” Brown said.

The aquatic therapists work individually with participants to treat conditions that include sports injuries, hip, knee and shoulder replacements, spinal stenosis, Parkinson’s, and weight issues. “We use specialized exercise protocols developed to treat many conditions and injuries to increase strength, stability, and tissue healing while decreasing pain,” said the center’s owner, John Muller. Added therapist Vince Newman, “People are more engaged in aquatic therapy because they feel less pain, more control of their body, and more hope.

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The center is offering one free week of water aerobics or arthritis/fibromyalgia classes through July. For more information, call (805) 845-1231 or visit mulwebpt.com/aquatic.html.