By FRED PETRUCELLI
Special to the Log Cabin

When Mary Essert says, "Take charge of your own body and live the dance of the water," it pays to take heed from an expert in aquatics.

Essert, who has a connection with the Conway Regional Fitness Center, has written a book that deals with the management of breast cancer through aquatic exercise and rehabilitation techniques.

In the small book that focuses entirely on cancer, the Conway aquatics instructor concentrates on the logic of water work for breast cancer patients, offering information on its efficacy, its benefits and methods of measurement.

Exercise may not be a cure-all, but new evidence indicates that it can lower the risk of breast cancer and it may indeed lower the risk of breast changes that could progress to cancer.

She writes that she has determined through personal experience and experience with many clients and aquatic-exercise participants for more than of a quarter of a century that exercise benefits cancer patients and aquatic exercise especially benefits breast cancer patients.

She describes her book as "a tool for a healthy lifestyle while exploring techniques to reduce pain and improve range of motion, strength and endurance."

She notes that cancer patients may experience denial, fear, pain, poor range of motion and a loss of stamina. They may experience fatigue, loneliness and depression. "Perceptive instructors can assist that person to arrive at acceptance and hope for healthy survival and change," Essert says.

Essert has been actively involved in teaching aquatics since 1949. In 1982, she experienced breast cancer and has since worked to share aquatic exercise for and with this population. Her workshops, seminars and videos are attended and used worldwide.

She is employed by Conway Regional Health Systems. She also is an instructor for the Cancer Well Fit program and at Conway Therapy Services in Conway.

Among her many awards is one from Who's Who in Aquatic Leadership in the U. S.

Essert's book and videos may be obtained by contacting her at Essert Associates, 3635 Irby Drive, Conway. She also may be reached at www.maryessert.com or messert@mindspring.com.

(Fred Petrucelli can be reached by phone at 327-1148 or e-mail at lpetru@cyberback.com.)

 

More Stories from Fred Petrucelli:     · Breathette adjusting to new transition - 06/30/08     · Cancer specialist joins Conway clinic - 06/29/08     · :) for health - 05/18/08     · Conway doctor finds link between presidents, cancer - 05/12/08     · The wonderful 'Wizard of Ahhhs' - 05/01/08