1227 – Aquatic Rehab for the Multiplicity of Trauma

Beginner / Full-Day Workshop

Washington, DC / Saturday, February 11, 2012 - 7:30 am-4:30 pm – 7.0 credit hours equal to 7.0 CECs/.7 CEUs

Pool: 7:30-9:30 am

Classroom: 9:30-11:30 am

Sit-down Luncheon/Keynote: 11:30 am-1:00 pm

Classroom: 1:30-4:30 pm

Faculty: Mary Wykle, PhD, ATRIC

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Aquatic Rehab for the Multiplicity of Trauma looks at ways to use the properties of water to address the recognition of actions resulting from traumatic experiences. Safety and risk are included because of unexpected behaviors or reactions to exercises, water, or others in the area. Identifying reaction characteristics and water experiences to safely release the feelings that have not been worked through provide a wide option of protocols. No two will ever react the same.

Trauma is identified through our awareness of endangerment. It is terrifying and overwhelming and can feel like it will destroy us. Many types of trauma exist – some known as Little “T” such as PTSD, bullying or divorce and some as Big “T” such as life-threatening accidents, war, or sexual abuse. Everyone reacts differently to the traumas in their life. Suffering takes on many different expressions. Traumatic experiences result when instinctual responses to an event are not allowed to cycle in an emergency. We freeze, we don’t shake off the event and without a way to safely release the energy in our nervous system, and an arousal stays in the body and leads to symptoms of PTSD. The result can be mood swings, depression, or anger. Traumatic Brain Injuries and Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries can have lasting effects that are often not apparent until a later time. If multiple incidents accumulate, physical symptoms are shown later in life. Many of these injuries result in issues or appearance affecting a return to a semblance of a normal lifestyle.

We must also concern ourselves with the families of those affected. They can become victims. Children are vulnerable to many types of trauma – physical, emotional, psychological – and may go unnoticed because they try to cover their emotions or what has happened. They do not want to talk about it. Patients coming to us for rehab from musculoskeletal injuries may have undiagnosed trauma issues. How do we recognize the onset of behavioral symptoms and are we prepared to meet these symptoms?

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1) Define types of trauma commonly seen and resultant expression of the trauma.

2) Examine characteristics of various types of trauma exhibited by victims.

3) Share experiences in handling unexpected reactions to water and effect on safety.

4) Explore the water’s properties in the effect on hyper/angry patient to release and calm the sympathetic nervous system and experience the parasympathetic nervous system.

FACULTY: Mary O. Wykle, PhD, ATRIC, is a professor of physical education at Northern Virginia Community College. She holds multiple certifications in aquatics and fitness. Her company, MW Associates, offers consulting workshops in health and aquatics. Mary is a long-time faculty member and serves on varied committees for ATRI, AEA/IAFC, and WAHC. She is the author of Risk Awareness and Safety Training, the Aqua Pi-Yo-Chi™ course, and the Lumbar Stabilization Exercises DVD.