|
For centuries, humans have recognized that water has special, almost magical, properties. It can heal, it can rejuvenate and it may just help stave off the traditional notion of what "old age" looks and feels like for those 50+ with balance issues but who still desire active lifestyles. Savvy clinics and exercise facilities have adopted aquatic wellness as part of their services to capitalize on the innate benefits of H2O. Yet some remain perplexed when it comes to fully utilizing their therapy pools, underwater treadmills and related offerings.
To shed light on practical, profitable ways to highlight, embrace and utilize aquatic wellness, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and HydroWorx have teamed up to offer industry professionals two targeted, interactive workshops.
Headed by Mary Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP, and Cathy Maloney-Hills, PT, the ICAA-HydroWorx sponsored events will address and explore evidence-based balance training drills aimed at improving land-based balance.
During each session, topics discussed will include:
- The importance of establishing an aquatic therapy program for aging populations.
- How to integrate aquatic rehab and wellness safely.
- Aquatic therapy trends, especially in balance/fall prevention.
- Hands-on aquatic therapy and wellness protocols.
- How to explore successful reimbursement and business planning strategies.
- Marketing "best practices" for aquatic therapy and wellness facilities.
Colin Milner, CEO, ICAA, Vancouver, British Columbia, is thrilled to have the opportunity to share solid advice with attendees who have (or are considering implementing) aquatic wellness programs. "At ICAA, our motto is: Changing the Way We Age. We believe that getting older doesn't have to mean losing one's functional abilities. Time and again, aquatic therapy and water-based exercise have been shown to be beneficial to adults, especially those who cannot safely work out in a land-based environment."
Explains Milner, "Moving in aquatic environment eases the pain of common ailments such as arthritis and osteoporosis, and it enables men and women to work out longer and harder without fear of falling."
Anson Flake, CEO and co-founder, HydroWorx, Middletown, PA, agrees. "HydroWorx's products, including our therapy pools and the new underwater treadmills, have been the center of numerous research trials throughout the past 12 years. Over and over, the scientific evidence has supported impact on balance and mobility and that's one reason this alliance with ICAA is so exciting - we can provide elite-level aquatic education on issues that directly impact our aging society."
Continues Flake, "We are seeing more physical therapists, exercise professionals and athletic trainers turning to aquatic wellness to help their clients achieve goals despite their physical limitations. And as athletically-driven 'Baby Boomers' deal with the realities of aging, maintaining a solid fitness routine without the risk of injury or physical distress is paramount to continuing a healthy lifestyle."
The ICAA-HydroWorx aquatic wellness workshops are scheduled for September 30 in Eden Prairie, MN, and October 28 in Lenexa, KS. More information can be obtained about these accredited seminars at http://info.hydroworx.com/aquaticworkshops.
|