New water therapy launched at Jersey hospital

Ai Chi originated in Japan in the 1990s

A new water-based therapy has been launched at Jersey Hospital to help patients manage persistent pain and mobility issues.

Ai Chi, a functional rehabilitation which was developed in Japan, involves connecting movement and breathing while standing in warm water.

Tara Richardson, lead aquatic physiotherapist for Health and Care Jersey, said she hoped that Ai Chi would be made available across the island.

Currently, patients must be referred to the aquatic physiotherapy service to access Ai Chi sessions.

Marie Jenkins has been doing Ai Chi for five weeks

Marie Jenkins, who has been doing Ai Chi for five weeks, said she had noticed a difference in her health since starting.

She said: "If you have pain, in a normal circumstance you feel it and you're aware of it.

"Once you're in the water and doing these movements, you're not [aware of the pain]. It's totally absorbing.

"The weight is just gone, the pain is just gone. It's just a different world."