Course Description:
Lower extremity diagnoses are often addressed with aquatic interventions, in which the properties of water are applied to maximize the patient's benefit. During this course, students will learn:

• The physical components of water;
• How aquatics can benefit patients at different stages of their rehabilitation; and
• How to utilize water's unique properties to provide comprehensive treatment for a variety of lower extremity conditions.

Similarly, it is critical to recognize how the properties of water can hinder progress if they are not applied correctly or at specific times throughout the healing continuum. The course will conclude with an overview of current research supporting the use of aquatics as a treatment method for a variety of medical conditions.

Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the learner will be able to:

• Identify key components of aquatic therapy that positively impact lower extremity(LE) diagnoses and logical progressions for the use of this intervention.
• Describe research to justify the use of aquatics in managing LE diagnose
• Explain the benefits of aquatic interventions relative to specific aspects of the rehabilitation process including strength acquisition, management of gait deviations and balance deficits, cardiovascular training and sports skill re-introduction
• Identify aquatic progressions for LE diagnoses using aquatic-based equipment and movement strategies.
• Identify the point in the rehabilitation continuum when aquatic therapy is/is not appropriate for the efficient management of various LE diagnoses.
• Identify when it is appropriate to transition from water to land to facilitate efficient upgrades for LE diagnoses.
• Identify those individuals for which aquatic therapy is either contra-indicated at specific points in the rehabilitation process, or who present with physical conditions for which aquatics is restricted/contraindicated.

Instructor: Marty Biondi, PT, DPT, CSCS
Over the past 40+ years, Marty has been involved in various aspects of aquatics, including pool management and aquatic therapy, and has always been an avid swimmer. Currently, Marty works as a Partner and Director of Physical Therapy at an outpatient clinic and personal training practice. Being passionate about aquatics, she is involved in patient care, small group classes, and research that promotes functional gains using aquatic interventions.

Note: CEU is not applicable in AK, CO, HI, LA, NJ, NM, NV
Note: CEU is not pre-approved in the following states, but licensees may seek their own approval in AR, CA, DE, OH, TX
All other states: .28 CEU/2.75 CCU or contact hours