CALA Aqua Arthritis, Joint Replacement & Selected Joint Disorders Specialty Course
(Part of the CALA Healing Waters: Aquatic Post-Rehabilitation Program)

Fee Schedule * CECS * Registration 

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Learn more about arthritis at the Arthritis Society of Canada

Description · Content · Target Audience  Duration · Prerequisites · Recommendations 

Certification · Recertification · CECs    Fees · What to Bring · Manual

CALA continues to promote the "Healing Waters" theme through conferences, intensive training weekends, workshops and courses. At every national and regional CALA conference, an aquatic rehabilitation stream is offered. The quarterly newsletter, "Wavelink", also includes articles specific to the aquatic post rehabilitation.

Description

Water has the potential to soothe the discomfort associated with a variety of joint disorders. Discuss selected joint disorders including the common forms of arthritis with respect to movement indications and contraindications performed in a therapeutic pool setting. Determine how movement in ‘warm’ water can have a positive affect on range of motion, core stability, mild cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, balance and muscular endurance capabilities. Experience and observe sample classes geared to individuals with common joint disorders. Discuss exercise design and delivery strategies to improve quality of life.

Share ideas on how to market this specialty program, to build your business and to network with other professionals to create a team approach to healing.

 Content

Overview of arthritic, joint replacement & Selected joint disorders conditions

• Discuss the holistic (mind, body, spirit) approach to aqua arthritis leadership
• Review the 'chronic pain' cycle and the 'improving wellness' cycle
• Review common arthritic conditions including Osteo-Arthritis (OA), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
• Discuss the impact of OA, RA, and FMS on the body, on functional movement and on active daily living
• Review the role of aquatic exercise in assisting with pain management and improvement in quality of life

 Getting started

• Adopt a screening process for health conditions, including a consent form
• Discuss the precautions and contraindications associated with arthritis
• Simulate the practice of orienting people with arthritis to movement in water
• Practice how to introduce and encourage progressions in exercise intensity
• Develop a team approach for working with other professionals
• Review the physiological benefits of aquatic exercise
• Discuss the specific benefits of water-based programs with respect to pain management and improvement in quality of daily living
• Experience how shape, velocity, resistance and drag affect movement in water
• Review buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, turbulence, thermal conductivity, resistance with respect to exercise design

 Healthy and diseased joints

• Review the structure and function of healthy synovial joints
• Consider the guidelines for joint-replacements: pre and post-surgical training when designing exercises
• Review regional anatomy, arthritic limitations related to exercise goals
• Apply anatomical principles to exercise design for aqua arthritis classes

Physiological perspective

• Overview of the cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic systems with respect to affects of water

Teaching techniques

• Integrate the components of fitness into class design
• Design for low-level class participants
• Practice effective teaching tips to ensure safe exercise execution
• Develop techniques to welcome new and low-level participants
• Practice leadership techniques to teach participants to 'budget their energy'
• Practice varying the workload to accommodate different levels
• Discuss how to promote adherence to the aqua arthritis program
• Identify training goals, specific exercises and contraindications
• Determine condition-specific class design for varying degrees and types of arthritis
• Experience practical pool sessions designed to facilitate large or small groups, and one-on-one sessions

Special considerations for the client

• Identify adaptations and modifications to exercise
• Include exercises to promote spinal stabilization
• Review the surgical repair of diseased joints
• Integrate gait training into the program

 Facility conditions

• Understand how the facility design and programming can affect the use of music, the ability to communicate and the accessibility for arthritic clients
• Consider the facility layout when designing classes

Target Audience

Health care professionals including but not limited to: 

• Kinesiologist

• Physiotherapist

• Doctor, Chiropractor

• Athletic therapist

• Massage therapist

• Occupational therapist

• Home care specialist

• Others with a keen interest in post rehabilitation: Rehabilitation and post rehabilitation specialist

• Group fitness instructor

• Personal trainer

Participant with a condition that prevents pain-free functioning (including but not limited to: arthritis, back pain/spinal injury, cardiac conditions, joint replacement, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, motor vehicle accident victims, workplace injury, sports injury), with a desire to learn how to alleviate or relieve their symptoms through aquatic exercise

Duration

• The Aqua Arthritis joint replacement & selected joint disorders specialty course is a total of 12 hours
• A combination of land and water 'activity-based' sessions are complimented with applied theoretical sessions.
• This course is facilitated using an active theory format. If a warm-water pool is available (31 °C / 88°F to 35° C / 95°F), a pool session may be incorporated into the course agenda.
• A question and answer period is included within the 12 hour agenda.
• Time is allotted to complete the certification exams within the 12 hours.
• Some facilities choose to schedule the course differently depending on availability of the pool and classroom

Sample Agenda (Facility dependent)

Day 1 Sat - 8:30 – 16:30
8:30    Theory in Classroom
10:45  Break
11:00  Therapy Pool Session
13:00  Lunch provided
14:00  Theory in Classroom

Day 2 - Sun - 8:30 – 13:00
8:30   Theory in Classroom
11:45  Break
12:00  Therapy Pool Session
13:00 Assessments

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Pre-requisites

You must be a current member of CALA to participate in this educational opportunity.

There are three levels of acceptance to gain entrance into this Healing Waters Program. Select the Level that best describes your level of expertise. If in doubt, contact CALA for clarification.

Healing Waters Entrance Criteria: Level One:

If you have a diploma or degree in health care or a related field of study (Kinesiology, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Sports Medicine, Athletic Therapy, Massage Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Human Kinetics, Human Biology, Exercise Physiology, Physical and Health Education) you are a candidate to participate in the Healing Waters Program without becoming a CALA certified Aquafitness Leader.

You will be responsible for learning the International CALA Compendium of Moves and the Magical Properties of Water. The CALA Combined Basic Fitness Theory and Aquafitness Leadership Training manual must be purchased through CALA. You must purchase a CALA Basic Fitness Theory and Aquafitness Specialty Training Manual which accompanies the CALA Foundation Course.

You must complete the open book theory exam associated with the manual and the Foundation Course. You may also choose to complete the CALA Foundation Course: Part I to become familiar with CALA terminology.

Healing Waters Entrance Criteria: Level Two:

If you do not have a degree or diploma as noted in Level One above, but do have current certification as an Aquafitness Leader with an organization other than CALA, you may challenge the CALA certification for aquafitness leadership. You must purchase a CALA Basic Fitness Theory and Aquafitness Specialty Training Manual which accompanies the CALA Foundation Course.

You may also choose to complete the CALA Foundation Course: Part I to become familiar with CALA terminology. Completing this course usually enables you to earn continuing education credits with the organization you are certified with.

Healing Waters Entrance Criteria:
Level Three:

If you do not have a degree or diploma as noted in Level One above, but do have current CALA certification as an Aquafitness Leader you are accepted as a candidate for the Healing Waters Program.

Compulsory courses

• Aquatic post rehabilitation prep course (compulsory: eight hours)

Recommendations

Note: The following are highly recommended, but not compulsory:

• Keen interest in aquatic post rehabilitation
• Willingness to learn through practice and study before, during and after the course
• Eagerness to achieve a high standard of leadership in aquatic post rehabilitation
• Openness to learning and embracing new information
• A strong desire to help people; to work with people who may be in experiencing intermittent or chronic pain
• CPR and First Aid are highly recommended

Certification Process

CALA Certified Professionals are in high demand. Our training programs go beyond the basics in creating specialists who 'know their stuff'. CALA provides the Gold Standard in Certification in Canada and Internationally. 

Upon completion of the CALA Aquatic Post Rehabilitation Prep Course, you have the option of pursuing certification in the areas of specialty that are of interest to you. To earn CALA Certification in each of the Aquatic Post Rehabilitation Specialties a theory and practical examination must be completed successfully.

Theory and Practical Components of certification are offered at the end of the course. The theory 1.5 hours open book exam for the 'Aqua Arthritis' Course. Theory component is an open book exam including some or all of the following: multiple choice, short paragraph answers, charts, true & false

Deadline for completion of certification

• The candidate has one year from the last date of their course to complete the theoretical and practical aspects of certification.

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Continuing Education Credits
CECs

Note: One CALA CEC is granted for each hour of each  course.

Credits from this course can be applied towards re-certification in Aquafitness only if the CALA Foundation Course has been completed and CALA Certification status as an Aquafitness Leader has been achieved

Re-certification

Attending CALA Specialty Courses, workshops and conferences and/or re-taking the CALA Post Rehab Compulsory and/or Optional Courses, will entitle you to earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs). One hour of education (theory and/or practical) earns one CALA CEC. For example: Attend a three hour Aqua Natal workshop, earn three CALA CECs.

To maintain certification status as an Specialty Aqua Post Rehabilitation leader you must meet the following criteria:

• Current CALA member, in good standing

• Gather a minimum of eight CALA CEC's before re-certification date

• Conduct a specified number of post aquatic therapy sessions per year (ie. Aqua Arthritis classes)

• Pay an annual re-certification fee. Refer to the fee schedule (pdf format)

Maintaining Certification Status: Made Easy!

Note:  At CALA, we make it easy to maintain certification status as a aquatic post rehabilitation specialist. CECs can be "banked" or accumulated before attending the Aquatic Post Rehabilitation Program, or completing certification.  If more than eight credits are collected, CALA will bump the extra credits into the next re-certification period. The candidate is also required to conduct a certain number of aquatic rehabilitation sessions per year in order to maintain certification.

Petitioning for Credits

Note: In the event that the necessary number of credits are not collected before the certification expiry date, the candidate can petition for credits. This means, CALA will review documentation submitted by the candidate that proves attendance at educational events that enhance knowledge related to aquatic post rehabilitation. There is a petition fee applicable.

Refer to the fee schedule (pdf format)

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Fees

• Refer to the fee schedule (pdf format)

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What To Bring

• Proper Aquafitness shoes ( The RYKA 2 Aqua shoe" is available through CALA) or good quality running shoes suitable for the pool deck and dry land movement
• Shorts to wear over a swimsuit (not short shorts), an aquafitness or an aerobic outfit (one that can get wet) for 'on deck' leadership practice

Attendees taking the course for general (personal) interest:

• Slip-on water shoes or clean running shoes that can be used in the water attendees taking the course will need the  following:
• A couple of swimsuits and towels
• A water bottle
• Shoes and comfortable clothing (tracksuit or athletic clothing) suitable for dry land movement
• Writing materials to take notes
• A lock to secure valuables
• Details about any medical information that may be required in case of a medical emergency
• Food for break times

Bring lots of energy and enthusiasm. Get ready to have fun and learn a lot. Remember - just like a parachute, your mind works better when it is open.

Manual

Note: Refer to the specific course within the CALA Healing Waters Aquatic Post Rehabilitation Program to determine the availability of the course manual for purchase prior to the course.