Water-Based Interventions for Neurological Disorders – Alcoa, TN (Mar 6–7, 2027)

Live 2-day hands-on aquatic therapy seminar for rehab professionals who treat patients with neurological disorders

About this seminar

Early bird pricingEarly bird pricing ends Thursday, February 4, 2027, 30 days before the class. Register by then for $645; after that, tuition goes to $695.
Dates
Saturday, March 6 & Sunday, March 7, 2027
8:00 AM–5:30 PM ET both days
Location
Blount Memorial Wellness Center at Springbrook
220 Associates Blvd, Alcoa, TN 37701
Cost
Early Bird: $645 (pay on or before Thursday, February 4, 2027)
Regular: $695 (registration closes Friday, March 5, 2027)
Credit
16 contact hours (1.6 CCUs)

Description

This course is designed to teach participants the aquatic principles of treatment for the patient with a neurological disorder. In addition, it will provide an overview of the relevant treatments for adult and geriatric cases, with emphasis on neurological conditions such as: multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke (CVA), brain injury, dementia, and fall risk; including adults with spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, or cerebral palsy.

Participants will learn to treat by problem, not just by diagnosis: managing high and low tone, balance, gait, motor control, sensory and vestibular deficits, and fatigue and heat sensitivity. It includes an aquatic laboratory to practice the most useful aquatic techniques in the neurological population.

Target Audience

PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, recreational therapists, adapted aquatics professionals, and other aquatic professionals.

Continuing Education

ATU Seminars provide 16 contact hours or 1.6 CCUs or their CEU equivalent as follows:

  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Recreational Therapy

See CE approvals.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. List 5 common indications and 5 precautions or contraindications for aquatic therapy for the neurological population.
  2. Write a 1-paragraph summary supporting the benefits of aquatic therapy for at least 1 neurological patient population by synthesizing the resources provided in class, and compare the risks to the benefits of treating at least 1 precautionary neurological condition in the therapy pool.
  3. Demonstrate at least 1 method to reduce high tone (spasticity or rigidity) and 1 method to build low tone (hypotonia) using water temperature, depth, turbulence, or handling.
  4. Progress a balance activity from supported to unsupported work through at least 3 methods demonstrated in class.
  5. Demonstrate 2 gait retraining activities in the water and describe how to carry the gains over to land.
  6. Demonstrate at least 1 aquatic technique each to improve motor control, coordination, and movement initiation, and describe at least 2 aquatic strategies to address sensory or vestibular deficits.
  7. Select and justify a water temperature and session dose for a patient with fatigue or heat sensitivity, and adapt precautions, positioning, and pool safety for at least 2 neurological conditions covered in class.
  8. Build a cognitive or dual-task challenge into at least 3 aquatic exercises.
  9. Write a problem-based aquatic treatment plan for at least 1 neurological case.
  10. Design a 15 minute aquatic exercise progression for at least 4 of the following: multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke (CVA), brain injury, dementia, fall risk.

Time Commitment

16 hours; includes written and practical exam.

What to Bring

  • Swimsuit, towel, robe, and water
  • Snacks and coffee are provided; lunch is on your own

Optional Prep

New to aquatic therapy? The on-demand Essentials: Boot Camp ($195) is optional prep.

Getting There

Fly into McGhee Tyson (TYS). Nearby hotels:

  • Hilton Knoxville Airport
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alcoa
  • Quality Inn Alcoa

Questions

info@swimatu.com or (865) 204-0618

© ATU Educational Services, LLC

Water-Based Interventions for Neurological Disorders
Live, in person · 2-day hands-on seminar · Sat Mar 6 – Sun Mar 7, 2027 · 8:00 AM–5:30 PM ET both days
Blount Memorial Wellness Center at Springbrook, 220 Associates Blvd, Alcoa, TN 37701

$695 · Early bird $645 through Thu, Feb 4, 2027. 16 contact hours.

Tight muscles, a body that won't start moving, a balance that won't hold. This course goes problem by problem. For each common neurological complaint, you'll learn how to use the water to treat it, then practice it in the pool. Expect two full days of lecture and pool lab, built for the patients you see every week.

Patients covered: multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke (CVA), brain injury, dementia, and fall risk, plus adults with spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy, or cerebral palsy.

You'll learn to:

  • Calm high tone (spasticity, rigidity) and build up low tone (hypotonia) using water temperature, depth, turbulence, and handling
  • Train balance and lower fall risk, with safe progressions from supported to unsupported work
  • Retrain gait in the water and carry the gains back to land
  • Improve motor control, coordination, and movement initiation
  • Address sensory and vestibular deficits
  • Plan for fatigue and heat sensitivity, including choosing water temperature and dosing the session
  • Build cognitive and dual-task challenges into each exercise
  • Adapt precautions, positioning, and pool safety for neuro patients
  • Write a treatment plan by problem, not just by diagnosis

Learning objectives: TBD
Format: lecture plus hands-on pool lab. Bring a swimsuit, towel, robe, and water. Snacks and coffee are provided, and lunch is on your own.
Who should attend: PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, and other aquatic professionals, such as adapted aquatics professionals and recreational therapists.
Continuing education: ATU Seminars provide 16 contact hours or 1.6 CCUs or their CEU equivalent as follows: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Recreational Therapy (see CE approvals). Time commitment: 16 hours; includes written and practical exam.
New to aquatic therapy? The on-demand Essentials: Boot Camp ($195) is optional prep.
Registration closes Fri, Mar 5, 2027. Questions: info@swimatu.com or (865) 204-0618.
Getting there: fly into McGhee Tyson (TYS). Nearby: Hilton Knoxville Airport, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alcoa, Quality Inn Alcoa.
Instructors: Andrea Salzman, MS, PT · Emily Dunlap, PT, PhD

© ATU Educational Services, LLC dba Aquatic Therapy University

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Masters degree in physical therapy. Salzman is the Founder and Owner of the Aquatic Resources Network, the largest multidisciplinary clearinghouse of information on aquatic therapy. She currently serves as Director of Aquatic Therapy University and has assisted hundreds of facilities during the start-up and training phases of their aquatic practice. Salzman has received the highest honor given to an aquatic physical therapist from the American Physical Therapy Association, the Judy Cirullo Leadership Award. She has been listed in Who's Who for Aquatics multiple times over the years. Over her career, she has served as:
• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy
• Manager, Regions Hospital Therapy Pool
• Adjunct Faculty, College of St. Catherine’s PT program
• Functional Design Consultant; Aquatic Therapy Facilities
• ARN Database Creator, 19,000 aquatic professionals
• Aquatic Health Research Database (AHRD) Creator, 8000 abstracts and growing
• Author, 5 aquatic therapy-related texts
• Monthly columnist, Aquatics International, Advance for PTs, Onsite Fitness, AusMed and other trade magazines

Emily Dunlap, PT, PhD

Emily Dunlap, PT, PhD has an extensive background as a clinical aquatic physical therapist, with experience spanning inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient orthopedic clinics. Over the last decade, she has shifted her focus to teaching and research, where she has made significant contributions to the field of aquatic physical therapy. Emily is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), where she served as the inaugural chairperson in developing the APTA Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency Certificate program. Her leadership and dedication to advancing aquatic therapy have earned her prestigious awards, including the Judy Cirullo Award for Exceptional Contributions to the Area of Aquatic Physical Therapy and the Richard Ruoti Research Award for Excellence. In addition to her leadership roles, Emily has contributed to the academic community by authoring chapters in three aquatic therapy textbooks and publishing original research on rehabilitation in aquatic settings. Her certifications in Halliwick, Bad Ragaz Ring Method, Ai Chi, and Watsu (Level III) further demonstrate her expertise in the field. As the owner of Aquatic Therapy Pro, Emily continues to excel as a researcher, clinician, and education consultant. She leads an aquatic rehabilitation journal club with active international participation, fostering a global exchange of knowledge. Her career is driven by a commitment to expanding the evidence base in aquatic rehabilitation and mentoring the next generation of aquatic therapy professionals.