A participant in full scuba gear s doing therapy underwater with 3 assistants also in full scuba gear.
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12 May 2021

The Scuba Gym: The underwater therapy achieving incredible results.

An innovative program is using the weightless environment of deep water to help people with disabilities to become more mobile, feel better and achieve their goals.

The Scuba Gym on the NSW Central Coast enables people to use scuba equipment so they can participate in therapy based exercises in a pool up to four metres deep.

Trainer and qualified scuba diving instructor Lyndi Leggett says she was inspired to start The Scuba Gym in Australia after seeing the success founder David Lawrence had with participants in the US.

When David’s son was paralysed from the neck down at the age of 11, he created a scuba therapy based workout that helped to rewire his son’s nervous system. Over time, David junior was able to walk again. Together they founded The Scuba Gym in Florida.

David’s techniques, developed over 10 years working with people with neuro special needs and disabilities, have helped many people to improve muscle tone, reduce pain and spasms, and become more mobile.

After spending time training with David, Lyndi launched the program in Australia two years ago and is already achieving some incredible results.

Who can it help?

Scuba therapy may be able to assist people with:

  • Quadriplegia or paraplegia
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Dandy Walker syndrome
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Spina bifida
  • Down syndrome
  • And more.
[Image description: A participant at The Scuba Gym is pictured underwater in a pool wearing scuba diving equipment and holding a yellow and orange plastic hockey stick with a similarly dressed helper behind them.]

The benefits of scuba therapy.

Lyndi has seen first-hand how scuba therapy can offer therapeutic, neurological and physical benefits.“The weightless environment combined with customised exercises and activities gives people the ability to increase strength and flexibility not possible during normal workouts.

The benefits are individual to each participant and are life changing,” Lyndi said.

“For people who are in a chair all day, being underwater relaxes the muscles so they can move in a way they are unable to move out of the water. The nerves in the legs and feet are stimulated. They’re working on the core and balance. A lot goes on under the water.”

Being submerged can also be therapeutic for people with autism or sensory processing challenges because the underwater environment filters out all outside noise, creating a sense of peace and calm which can continue well after leaving the water.

[Image description: A participant at The Scuba Gym is pictured next to the pool in his wheelchair smiling after a session, surrounded by three of The Scuba Gym’s team posing happily for the camera.]

Confidence and better quality of life.

Megan, who lives with multiple sclerosis, said that The Scuba Gym program challenged her body to do things she didn’t think she could do.“It felt really good. I felt something had unlocked for me that had been wired up for years and it was like a relief. It’s given me some confidence I didn’t have before,” Megan said.

“I believe that if you feel better you are better. Whatever the science is, I feel better and it’s a great feeling. There’s no cure for MS but it doesn’t stop me, it doesn’t stop anybody from having a better quality of life. I can be a little bit better than I was this morning. It has given me a lot of hope.”

Lincoln, a quadriplegic, tried scuba therapy once and was immediately hooked.

“After I completed my session and I was back in my wheelchair, I noticed my body was feeling better than it had in years. I felt strong and confident, like my mind was in tune with everything right down to my fingers and toes, and continued to be for days afterwards,” he said.

Keen to give scuba therapy a go?

If it is considered reasonable and necessary support and your NDIS goals are to reduce pain, move more freely or strengthen your muscles, you may be able to use your NDIS funds to pay for scuba therapy.Anyone interested must complete a medical form, which is assessed by a dive doctor prior to booking. Further medical clearances may be required. All instructors are fully qualified and participants must be at least ten years of age.

For more information check out https://thescubagym.com.au/. Classes are currently only held on the NSW Central Coast but The Scuba Gym is looking for a pool in greater Sydney. If you live in Sydney and know of a venue or would like to join the wait list, contact Lyndi at lyndi@thescubagym.com.au.

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Further Reading

Equine assisted therapy.

Getting back to nature with garden therapy.

21 diverse therapy options for kids.

 

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