JamesZ

1 Posts
 
Posted - 06/05/2006 :  13:20:30  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Is there a certification for aquatic therapy?

scjpt

1 Posts
 
Posted - 06/07/2006 :  08:27:45  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Mary, There is no cetification for aquatics. The website for Advance News magazine listed below gives the reason why (I've also pasted): http://rehabilitation-director.advanceweb.com/common/editorial/editorial.aspx?CC=8237 - http://rehabilitation-director.advanceweb.com/common/editorial/editorial.aspx?CC=8237

Water World

Rob Senior

How to get the necessary training for aquatic physical therapy.

Aquatic physical therapy is one of the most versatile tools in the field of physical therapy. It can be used to treat orthopedic injuries, to help athletes return to play sooner and as an alternative to land-based therapy for geriatric patients. However, getting the required training can be more involved than many therapists think.

"There is no certification for becoming an aquatic physical therapist," explained Charlotte Norton, DPT, ATC, CSCS, vice-president of the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section of APTA. "Therefore, the responsibility for education falls to us in the aquatic section."

The primary reason that APTA has opted against certification for aquatic physical therapy lies in the versatility of the job. "With aquatics, you can do orthopedics, you can do geriatrics, neurological disorders... it's very hard to make someone a spe****t. You would have to be a generalist within a specialty," says Dr. Norton.

Universities are required by CAPTE (the body that accredits PT programs) to teach water training principles. However, this is done on a basic, introductory level. It's more up to students if they wish to pursue further training at the undergraduate level.

The aquatic section offers education. Additionally, independent PTs offer courses to aspiring aquatic therapists. Typically, these courses are done over a period of a week. Courses range from introductory level, such as how to start your own aquatic program, to more specific, technique-based classes.

Certifying Options
Therapists who desire to obtain a certification in aquatics have options. The Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute (ATRI) offers certification on a multidisciplinary basis. Typically, a therapist will take a weekend review course to brush up on concepts, followed by a one-day exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, the therapist receives the title of ATRIC.

Simple enough. So why hasn't APTA adopted a similar certification procedure?

"As it applies to PT, the problem is that certification doesn't change the way somebody can practice," says Dr. Norton. "The only thing that dictates how a physical therapist can practice is their state practice act. Just getting a certification doesn't change what they can do in the water, and this confuses a lot of people."

Another difference between the ATRI certification and the APTA's ongoing education program is the specialty issue. ATRI's program doesn't differentiate between physical therapists, occupational therapists, kinesiologists or even the everyday businessman who takes an interest in aquatics. It's one certification, one title, no matter the individual's profession.

"Aside from the specialty reasons, another reason we don't offer this is that it's extremely costly for a section to offer a specialty exam. It costs about $50,000 to develop the exam, plus the cost to maintain it," says Norton. "We only have 1,200 members, so it's hard to justify that cost. But certification is very important to a lot of people."

Educational Choices
The ongoing education option is usually the one chosen by the majority of physical therapists. The benefits to this program are that it allows therapists to become more specialized in their area of interest, and teaches specific techniques more unique to physical therapy, such as Bad Ragaz, Halliwick and Watsu.

Another advantage to an area such as aquatics without certification is that therapists can make a difference on their own, especially in terms of educating others. Often, therapists will choose to specialize in particular areas of aquatic therapy, and develop their own techniques or protocols for treatment.

Who Benefits?
Dr. Norton has been involved in aquatic therapy for 11 years, and currently works as a consultant to a practice in Sacramento, Calif. She started as an athletic trainer before moving into physical therapy full-time. Working in both fields gave Dr. Norton the opportunity to treat a variety of patients, and learn how different patients respond to aquatic therapy.

"Athletes are by definition a more active population," said Dr. Norton. "For that reason, the pool is a great place for the initial stages of an athlete's rehab. It allows the athlete to perform functional exercises specific to his sport, and allows him to return to competition quickly and safely."

Geriatric patients are also able to benefit from aquatic PT. They often come into physical therapy deconditioned and unable to tolerate gravity. The water presents an opportunity for retraining and just for general exercises, particularly for those with hip replacements or similar procedures.

Finally, therapists can utilize the pool for patients with neurological conditions. Aquatic therapy is beneficial to those with multiple sclerosis, stroke or traumatic brain injury. "It's a great place to relearn to walk. Removing the barriers of gravity allows them to retrain themselves without as much pain as they would experience on land."

Dr. Norton offered one word of advice for those therapists looking to become involved in aquatic PT. "It's really important to get some kind of water safety certification," she stressed. "The classes teach you very basic water rescue. I think people sometimes get wrapped up in the other certifications, when as a PT, water safety certification is what you really need."

Rob Senior is on staff at ADVANCE and can be reached at mailto:rsenior@merion.com - rsenior@merion.com

pam l

10 Posts
 
Posted - 07/09/2007 :  13:51:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I believe there is an aquatic certification, or at least many good Con Ed courses that give you a lot of training for treating patients in the pool. I have a friend who treats most of her patients in the pool. I will find out what courses she attended and let you know.

MilwPT

7 Posts
 
Posted - 07/11/2007 :  15:16:31  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I know a friend who got certified with Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute (ATRI). The website is: http://www.atri.org - www.atri.org .
She loved it.