the aquatic therapist

Aquatic lymphatic therapy

Ever wondered if aquatic therapy (specialized exercise during immersion) could reduce lymphedema?

We did!

So we were especially stoked to read this just-released research study on this very topic.

Tidhar D, Katz-Leurer M. Aqua lymphatic therapy in women who suffer from breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema: a randomized controlled study. Support Care Cancer. 2009 Jun 3. [Epub ahead of print]

Department of Physical Therapy, "Maccabi Healthcare Services", Netivot, Israel.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is an adverse effect of breast cancer surgery. Aqua lymphatic therapy (ALT) is a novel treatment for limb volume reduction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether ALT is a safe method and whether there are differences in adherence, limb volume, and quality of life between women who perform only self-management treatment and women who participate as well in ALT.

DESIGN: Design of the study was single-blind randomized clinical trial.

SETTING: The setting was in a hydrotherapy pool, 1.2 m depth, and a temperature of 32-33 degrees capital ES, Cyrillic.

PATIENTS: Forty-eight women (56 +/- 10 years), with a 12.8% lymphedema relative volume, participated in the study.

INTERVENTION: The control group was instructed to perform the self-management treatment. The study group joined a weekly session of ALT for 3 months in addition to the self-management therapy.

MEASUREMENTS: Adherence was assessed by a self-reported diary, limb volume by a water displacement device, quality of life by the Upper Limb Lymphedema Questionnaire (ULL27), prior to, and after the intervention period.

RESULTS: There was no episode of arm infection or aggravation in limb volume during the study period. ALT had a positive, statistically and clinically significant immediate effect on limb volume but no long-term effect was noted. The adherence rate to ALT was significantly higher than the adherence to self-management therapy. QOL improved in the study group.

CONCLUSION: ALT was found to be a safe method, with high adherence, in treating women who suffer from mild to moderate lymphedema. A significant immediate and insignificant long-term effect on limb volume was noted.

Looking for an aquatic therapy employee? Check out our Aquatic Therapy Job Board

Aquatic therapists are a special breed. We're hard to find in any market... add the recent deficit of skilled, licensed therapists and we become somewhat of an endangered species.

So, where can you find your perfect aquatic therapy employee?

On the Aquaticnet Job Board.

For $100/month, your posting will be seen by hundreds of therapists who have one thing in common: water.

LINK to post your job.

LINK to view available jobs.

For example, check out this posting that appear for the first time today.
******************************************************
Non-traditional Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist

Elements of Wellness (Moscow, Idaho)

Posted:

June 3, 2009

Address:

872 Troy Road, Suite 170

Moscow, ID 83843

Type:

Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Description:

Welcome,

Elements of Wellness is a non-traditional outpatient therapy clinic located in Moscow, ID. We are currently looking for another Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist to join our wellness team.

Preferred Experience/Certification:
- Aquatic Bodywork: Aquatic Integration, Watsu, etc.
- CranioSacral Therapy
- Current Practitioner License

Please email our office at elementsofwellness@mac.com for more information.

Our office website (currently under construction): http://web.mac.com/elementsofwellness

For information about Moscow, ID: http://www.moscow.id.us

For information about Aquatic Integration: http://www.aquaticintegration.com

For information about CranioSacral Therapy: http://www.upledger.com

Occupation: OT or PT Aquatic Therapist/CranioSacral Therapist

Type: Half-Time, Full-Time, Permanent

Send Resumes to: elementsofwellness@mac.com

Elements of Wellness
Aquatic & Manual Therapy, Inc.
872 Troy Road, Suite 170
Moscow, ID 83843
208-892-8888
208-882-8890 fax
elementsofwellness@mac.com

Salary:Based on experience
Apply by Email:elementsofwellness@mac.com

Aquatic therapy has poor showing on Wikipedia... So make it better!

Wikipedia is supposed to be the fount of all collective knowledge on the web. So what does this virtual encyclopedia have to say about aquatic therapy? Here is the entire accumulated wisdom about the topic:

Aquatic therapy or pool therapy is physical therapy that is performed in the water. Aquatic therapy use the resistance of water instead of weights.^[1] It aims to rehabilitate patients after injury or those with chronic illness, avoiding the amount of weight placed on the joints by exercise outside the water.

References
[1] Musculoskeletal Interventions

Yikes! Let's see how many fronts that is wrong on.

1. Aquatic therapy is performed by many professionals, not just physical therapists. Although physical therapists and recreational therapists are the most common providers of aquatic therapy, aquatic therapy is also performed by occupational therapists, speech therapists, massage therapists, kinesiotherapists, exercise physiologists, athletic trainers and others. Most insurance companies will only reimburse for treatment provided by PTs and OTs, although some speech therapists have started to provide services in the water and been successful in receiving payment.

2. Aquatic therapy is not only used for rehabilitation after injury or for treatment of chronic illness. It can be used as a preoperative method (prior to total joint replacement), a post-operative rehab tool, a sensory integration technique, a training tool for athletes and more.

3. Aquatic therapy deserves more than a 2 sentence statement on Wikipedia. Rise up therapists and add your knowledge! There are certain rules and need for citations when contributing to a Wiki, but what a great class project for a Physical Therapy or other class.

Go forth and post!