Aquatic Therapy - Principles for Effective Clinical Outcomes

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How to Take This Course:

• 1 View Course Worksheet -  View the course worksheet or print it out to review later
• 2 Read the Course Material -  As you read through, mark your answers on the course worksheet to be prepared for the exam
• 3 Take Exam -  You must achieve a score of 70% or higher in order to earn credit for the course.
• You don't need to pay for an exam until AFTER you pass it - unless you have an active unlimited membership. If you have any questions or need more information, please click here.

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CEU Course Description

This course equips physical therapists and physical therapist assistants with essential knowledge of aquatic therapy principles and their application to support functional outcomes across diverse patient populations. Key concepts include the properties of water, buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, and turbulence, and their role in reducing joint loading, facilitating movement, and promoting neuromuscular re-education. The course reviews therapeutic benefits such as pain reduction, improved support, and enhanced function, while addressing appropriate patient populations, including orthopedic, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, post-operative, and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as individuals with obesity, including pediatric populations. Emphasis is placed on individualizing programs, progressing and regressing interventions to achieve appropriate intensity, including the use of high-intensity interval training in the aquatic setting, and integrating practical treatment strategies, equipment, and complementary approaches such as Watsu and aquatic-based movement therapies.

CEU Course Objectives

1. Recall the fundamental physical properties of water, including buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure, and turbulence, and their therapeutic effects on movement, pain modulation, and functional performance in aquatic therapy
2. Recognize the indications for aquatic therapy across various patient populations, including orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary, post-operative, and pediatric patients with obesity, and how these conditions influence intervention selection and expected outcomes
3. Identify appropriate strategies to individualize, progress, and regress aquatic therapy interventions, including the application of intensity principles such as high-intensity interval training, as well as the use of equipment and complementary water-based techniques to support functional goals

1. Introduction - (5 minutes)
2. Section 1: Principles of Aquatic Therapy and Functional Application - (10 minutes)
   • Section 1: Key Words - (2 minutes)
   • Section 1: Summary - (2 minutes)
3. Section 2: Therapeutic Benefits and Indications for Aquatic Therapy - (20 minutes)
   • Section 2: Case Study 1 - (8 minutes)
   • Section 2: Key Words - (2 minutes)
   • Section 2: Summary - (2 minutes)
4. Section 3: Individualization and Dosage of Aquatic Therapy Interventions - (20 minutes)
   • Section 3: Case Study 2 - (8 minutes)
   • Section 3: Key Words - (2 minutes)
   • Section 3: Summary - (2 minutes)
5. Section 4: Intervention Strategies, Equipment, and Complementary Aquatic Approaches - (20 minutes)
   • Section 4: Case Study 3 - (8 minutes)
   • Section 4: Key Words - (2 minutes)
   • Section 4: Summary - (2 minutes)
6. Conclusion - (5 minutes)
7. References

Course Date: 2026-08-14

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