1101 – Ortho and Neuro Treatment Progressions Specialty Certificate Program

Beginner / Pool Workshop / 3-Day Program

Washington, DC / Friday-Sunday, October 15-17 – 15.0 credit hours equal to 15.0 CECs/1.5 CEUs

Faculty: Laurie Denomme, B.Kinesiology / Lexie Cox, MPT, ATRIC / Julia Fettig, CTRS, CMT, ATRIC

Friday, October 15: Classroom: 8:45-10:30 am / Pool: 10:30 am-1:30 pm / Lunch on own: 1:30-2:45 pm / Classroom: 2:45-4:30 pm

Saturday, October 16: Pool: 7:30-10:00 am / Classroom: 10:00-11:30 am / Sit-down Luncheon: 11:30 am-1:30 pm / Classroom: 2:00-4:00 pm

Sunday, October 17: Classroom: 8:30-10:00 am / Pool: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course will discuss aquatic therapy treatment techniques for orthopedic and neurological conditions. The pool labs will provide hands-on training for joint and postural stabilization, strengthening and functional activities. The aquatic practitioner will develop critical thinking skills for when and how to increase ROM and muscular endurance using aquatic mobilizations, PNF (neuromuscular retraining techniques) and exercises in the pool. Course attendees will be trained in: clinical considerations and aquatic techniques for orthopedic and neurological patients with mobility, balance and pain disorders; and quality neuromuscular sequencing strategies for balance, gait, coordination, ROM, sensory processing, neuromuscular re-education and pain management. Put research-based progressions learned into practice to improve client outcomes for functional land-based daily activities.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1) Outline common deficits of orthopedic and neurological patients with mobility, balance and pain disorders and identify overall goals.

2) Examine guidelines for establishing patient baseline with understanding of appropriate depths, resistance, and use of equipment.

3) Evaluate aquatic mobilizations, PNF techniques, and exercises in the pool for major muscle groups to improve joint and postural stabilization, strength, ROM, balance, and co-ordination.

4) Demonstrate use of sensory-motor cues with an isometric, isotonic and isokinetic contraction.

5) Practice basic skills, modifications, cueing techniques and progressions for implementing aquatic exercises with orthopedic clients, whether one-on-one, or in a group setting.  

6) Explore advanced handholds and sensory-motor cues to emphasize stability throughout specific active treatment patterns and be able to modify handholds/contact to recruit muscle firing in weakened muscles.

7) Discover neuromuscular sequencing strategies for balance shifting, gait retraining, coordination, ROM, sensory processing, neuromuscular re-education and pain management.

8) Continue functional progress with water exercise from the acute stage to outpatient, to discharge from physical therapy into the community.

FACULTY: Laurie Denomme, B. Kinesiology – ldenomme@tampabay.rr.com, is the assistant director of operations for the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), an AEA training specialist, a Bender Method master trainer, and a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. She is the director of program development for Aquatic Options, an organization dedicated to providing innovative aquatic exercise options designed to bridge the gap between physical therapy and aquatic fitness programming. She co-authored a book on Special Populations and Post-Rehab called The Aquatic After Care Training Manual and travels internationally to share her unique and personally developed aquatic training methods. Visit Laurie at www.lauriedenomme.com.

Alexia (Lexie) Cox, MPT, ATRIC - lexiecox@hotmail.com, previously Aquatics Coordinator for 10 years at Rio Vista Physical Rehabilitation Hospital in El Paso, Texas, she works as a licensed physical therapist providing individualized treatment programs for primarily adult and geriatric patients. Working with orthopedic and neurological diagnoses including: arthritis, fibromyalgia, fractures, joint replacements, spinal issues, stroke, spinal cord injury, debility and cardiac rehabilitation. She is currently employed at the El Paso Orthopaedic Surgery Group specializing in Medicare population. Lexie has presented multiple courses for ATRI over past five years.   

Julia Fettig, CTRS, CMT, ATRIC - Julia@aquatictherapyinfo.com, is the founder/owner of Therapeutic Aquatics, Inc. and www.aquatictherapyinfo.com, specializing in consulting, information and rehabilitation. Her experiences in aquatics include nationally ranked springboard diver, diving coach, adaptive aquatics instructor, water aerobics instructor, WSI, AFYAP and aquatic therapy provider. Julia is the author and publisher of The "Bad Ragaz Ring Method Visual Instructional Manual and Video"; author of “Pediatric AquaHab”, also co-producer of “PNF in The Pool” and “Myofascial Aquatics” DVD’s. She is the recipient of the ATRI 2002 Tsunami Spirit Award for her innovation, creativity and implementation of new ideas. Both national and international audiences have received her workshops enthusiastically.