For many children with conditions such as cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, resulting in weak and stiff muscles, water therapy enables them to move easier and do exercises they would not be able to do on dry land. The warmth of the water and its buoyancy, the upward force that keeps things afloat, decrease muscle stiffness and relieve the stress on joints.
Watch a video clip from the sanatorium.
The Hamza`s Sanatorium in Lue has for long used water therapy, but an unsatisfactory and old swimming pool hampered the effectiveness of the method. A grant from Norway provided the necessary means to construct a new pool, which will be used daily to treat 120 patients.
The Hamza`s Sanatorium was founded in 1901 as the first sanatorium for children with tuberculosis in the Czech lands. In 1962, the TBC-treatment was stopped and the centre was transformed into a sanatorium for patients with locomotion disorders, particularly for children with cerebral palsy. As of 1991, also adult patients have received treatment at the sanatorium. The sanatorium has a capacity of 505 beds and employs 520 staff.
Photo: Helena Benýšková