2627 – AquaStretch™ Specialty Certificate Program

Intermediate / Pool Workshop / 2-Day Program

Birmingham, AL / Saturday-Sunday, March 3-4 – 15.0 credit hours equal to 15.0 CECs/1.5 CEUs

Faculty: Terri Mitchell, PTA, ATRIC

Saturday, March 3:

Pool: 8:00-10:00 am

Classroom: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Lunch on own: 12:00-1:00 pm

Classroom: 1:00-2:00 pm

Pool: 2:00-5:00 pm

Sunday, March 4:

Pool: 8:00-10:00 am

Classroom: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Lunch on own: 12:00-1:00 pm

Classroom: 1:00-2:00 pm

Pool: 2:00-4:00 pm

Boston, MA / Saturday-Sunday, March 17-18 – 15.0 credit hours equal to 15.0 CECs/1.5 CEUs

Faculty: Terri Mitchell, PTA, ATRIC

Saturday, March 17:

Pool: 8:00-10:00 am

Classroom: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Lunch on own: 12:00-1:00 pm

Classroom: 1:00-2:00 pm

Pool: 2:00-5:00 pm

Sunday, March 18:

Pool: 8:00-10:00 am

Classroom: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Lunch on own: 12:00-1:00 pm

Classroom: 1:00-2:00 pm

Pool: 2:00-4:00 pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

AquaStretch™ is considered a breakthrough in pain management and aquatic therapy. It helps to quickly restore flexibility lost due to accidents or surgeries; significantly and immediately reduces chronic pain or pain with movement; creates profound relaxation that helps to improve function, quality of life, and sleep and therefore overall ability to heal. Integrative exercise programs will be presented to maximize the benefits of the AquaStretch™ technique. The participant will be presented with the tools to apply appropriate documentation and application of this modality in their particular aquatic therapy setting.

This course presents the foundations and applications of AquaStretch™, a new form of individual and facilitated aquatic exercise that has been successful in treating various patient populations including those suffering from chronic pain to elite athletes. AquaStretch™ theoretically breaks down fascial adhesions utilizing a combination of the facilitator/therapist’s manual pressure and the client/ patient’s active movement. AquaStretch™ method can be utilized as a wellness program or specifically applied as a skilled aquatic therapy technique.

This certificate course will cover the basic wellness applications and progressions and provide an introduction to the advanced therapy concepts through case study presentations. Topics include starting positions and grips, how to safely apply stretch resistance using 5-15 pound weights to the body in 3-5 foot depth water and understanding intuitive movement.

This is a manual, one-on-one technique. Skills check and verbal exam will be given as part of the certificate course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course the participant will be able to:

1) Explain the basic AquaStretch™ theories including, restoration of movement, stretch resistance, fascial adhesions and intuitive movement.

2) Safely progress a client through the eleven basic starting positions and grips within the AquaStretch™ wellness program.

3) Effectively cue and perform the basic AquaStretch™ procedure.

4) Determine appropriate water depth and equipment usage including safe application and removal of weights.

5) Describe appropriate level of documentation for various aquatic therapy settings

6) Describe the benefits of the AquaStretch™ techniques for various patient populations

7) Design an independent client/ patient home program to maximize benefits achieved with AquaStretch™

FACULTY:

Terri Mitchell, PTA, ATRIC, has been involved with aquatic fitness since 1982. She is a Training Specialist with the Aquatic Exercise Association, a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) specializing in aquatic therapy, and instructor of a variety of aquatic fitness classes to persons of all ages and abilities. Terri is on staff at the University of Texas at Austin and enjoys working with young adults in the water. She holds certifications from AEA, ATRI, and IAR. Terri is a Certified Personal Trainer for both land and water. She is co-author of “Applications of PNF Techniques in the Aquatic Setting” manual and co-producer of “PNF in the Pool” video. She is the 2001 recipient of ATRI’s Dolphin Award and the 2010 recipient of the ATRI Professional Award.