Foundational Aquatic Therapy

This is a new version of the course! 

Overview

Foundational Aquatic Therapy is a comprehensive introduction to the principles, physiology, and clinical application of aquatic physical therapy. Presented by Alison Bonnyman, aquatic physical therapist and co-founder of Canadian Aquatic Rehab, this Embodia course explores how water’s unique properties can be leveraged to enhance rehabilitation outcomes safely and effectively.

Participants will develop a strong understanding of hydrodynamic principles, immersion physiology, and evidence-informed intervention design. The course explains how buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, viscosity, drag, turbulence, and thermal effects influence movement, neuromuscular activation, cardiovascular function, and pain modulation.

Through practical examples and clinical reasoning, practitioners will learn how to:

• Safely implement graduated weightbearing programs

• Reduce joint load while promoting functional mobility

• Enhance motor learning and neuroplasticity

• Design aquatic therapy sessions for strength, balance, endurance, and confidence

Aquatic therapy is presented not as a passive modality, but as a dynamic, task-oriented rehabilitation environment that supports central nervous system plasticity and functional recovery across the lifespan.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the hydrodynamic principles of buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, viscosity, drag, and turbulence.

2. Describe the physiological effects of water immersion on cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, and hormonal systems.

3. Apply graduated weightbearing concepts to reduce joint compression and facilitate early movement.

4. Design aquatic therapy interventions that target balance, strength, trunk activation, and cardiovascular conditioning.

5. Modify water temperature and immersion depth to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

6. Identify precautions and contraindications to ensure safe aquatic therapy practice.

7. Integrate aquatic therapy into rehabilitation programs for orthopedic, neurological, pediatric, and chronic pain populations.

Audience

This course is designed for healthcare professionals who incorporate or are considering incorporating aquatic therapy into clinical practice, including:

• Physical Therapists

• Occupational Therapists

• Kinesiologists

• Rehabilitation Assistants

• Athletic Therapists

• Other movement and rehabilitation professionals

Both clinicians new to aquatic therapy and those seeking a stronger physiological foundation will benefit.

Why This Course Matters

Aquatic therapy offers a powerful alternative environment for rehabilitation - one that enables movement earlier, safer, and often with less pain.

At collarbone immersion, buoyancy can reduce effective body weight by up to 85%, allowing earlier mobilization following surgery or during arthritic flare-ups. Hydrostatic pressure enhances venous return and lymphatic drainage while increasing the work of breathing, offering both cardiovascular and respiratory training effects. Water’s viscosity provides omnidirectional, velocity-dependent resistance, allowing for safe, isokinetic strengthening across all planes of motion.

Thermal modulation further expands clinical utility:

• Warm water promotes relaxation, reduces spasticity, improves collagen extensibility, and dampens pain perception.

• Cooler water supports higher-intensity training and benefits heat-sensitive conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

For patients, aquatic therapy improves confidence, reduces fall risk, and increases engagement.
For clinicians, it reduces physical strain while allowing rapid progression or regression of exercises through simple adjustments in speed, surface area, or immersion depth.

With growing evidence supporting its physiological and functional benefits, aquatic therapy is an essential competency for modern rehabilitation professionals.