3201 - Chronic Pain Techniques

Advanced / Pool Workshop

Washington, DC / Thursday, Oct. 30 – 7:30 am-4:30 pm – 8.0 credit hours equal to 8.0 CECs/.8 CEUs

Classroom: 7:30-11:30 am

Lunch on own: 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Classroom: 12:30-1:30 pm

Pool: 1:30-4:30 pm

Please note: Participants will need to bring noseclips and earplugs.

Faculty: Dr. Luis Vargas, PhD, PT

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This workshop introduces participants to Dr. Vargas’ Aquatic Pain Inhibition Protocol (APIP) and provides advanced training in the integration and application of aquatic trigger point and myofascial releases (ATPR’s and AMFR’s) for clients with soft tissue and myofascial conditions, characterized by the onset of pain. The APIP will address applied maneuvers derived from two interventions, Watsu® and Clinical Wassertanzen.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Formulate a diagnostic pain profile in the pre-aquatic assessment of the client

2. Identify the clinical tools and instruments used to evaluate pain
3. Discuss the neurophysiology of pain with emphasis on the theory of nociception, principles of neurosynaptic transmission and mechanisms used to control pain
4. Apply the data collected through the evaluative tests used to diagnose and assess pain in identifying the type of pain, quantifying its intensity and establishing the degree of functional impairment resulting from the intensity of the pain
5. Discuss the patheogenesis, etiology, incidence, statistical data and clinical manifestations of Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
6. Perform a trigger point examination with emphasis on the identification of spasmodic activity of the soft tissue
7. Establish a correlation between postural deficits and range of motion limitations identified in the diagnostic assessment and the evidence of spasmodic activity
8. Perform an evaluation of spasmodic activity applying the D.A.S.I. Spasmodic Activity Grading (SAG) Scale described by Dr. Vargas
9. Evaluate disturbances in sleep pattern on the FMS client through the use of Dr. Vargas’ Sleep Pattern Scale (SPS) in the analysis of pain and related problems.
10. Perform the maneuvers and techniques described in Dr. Vargas’ Aquatic Pain Inhibition Protocol with emphasis on trigger point releases, myofascial releases and inhibition of spasmodic activity

FACULTY: Dr. Luis G. Vargas has been a physical therapist for 27 years. Clinically, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the areas of cardiopulmonary physical therapy, oncology, infectious disease and, most significantly, aquatic rehabilitation. Academically, he is an experienced anatomist at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is the author of the book “Aquatic Therapy: Interventions and Applications”. Dr. Vargas is the recipient of the 2004 Aquatic Therapy Professional of the Year Award and the 2000 Dolphin Award from the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute for his contributions to the aquatic rehabilitation industry. He has created numerous interventions and protocol for various diagnostic groups and has completed several research studies to establish clinical validity for given aquatic therapy interventions.