Injured service members getting into the swing of rehabilitation therapy should consider finding a Wii console.

The Nintendo gaming system is helping Wounded Warrior Company's 3rd Marine Regiment Marines recuperate from their combat injuries. Recovering Warriors are reaping therapeutic benefits during single and multiple player Wii games.

"It's a good supplement to the physical therapy people have when they're coming off an injury," said Cpl. Ryan Irving, an infantryman originally with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. "It helps you a bit, and you get motivated because of it."

Hit by an improvised explosive device during a foot patrol, the corporal said he played Wii tennis a few times a week. Irving, injured during his Iraq deployment in January 2007, said he liked playing Wii sports games as his leg healed.

"Most of my physical therapy was general exercising and a lot of stretching," he said. "You can do a lot of standing while you play Wii games, and it was just a fun to thing to do."

A Honolulu apartment owners association donated the company's Wii and its games in December 2007, according to 1st Lt. Nick Perkins, officer-in-charge of Wounded Warrior Company. Perkins said Wii games are occupational therapy for the wounded, and he encourages Marines to find off-time activities aiding their physical training.

"The Marines talk to their medical care provider," he said. "Then they'll come up with their own (physical training) program that works around injuries or disabilities they may have. We use that program as their primary physical rehabilitation."

The lieutenant said swinging the console's controller is only a supplement to physical therapy. Perkins said Wii gaming is a good alternative to watching television or other stationary activity during recovery. Wounded players also gain other benefits to gaming, he said.

"The physical aspect of it is minimal," Perkins said. "It's more about reconnecting with your fellow Marines. You can play baseball or bowling together, and it's a way to relieve the stress of the day."

Irving said he enjoyed playing against his roommate, and it was nice to have time to socially connect with others. Perkins said Wii playing, used as a supplemental therapy, aids in one area his company seeks to immediately treat: post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Marines can challenge each other in friendly match," he said. "It allows them a small amount of normalcy which, unfortunately, their combat experiences have denied them."