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Water-Based Interventions for Musculoskeletal Disorders

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Location: Hudson, WI (Located approximately 30 minutes from Minneapolis, MN)

Dates: September 13-14, 2025

16 CEUs

Instructor: Kiki Dickinson, MPT, PAqI

ATU Course #: PS801

Cost: $595

 

 Register and Pay

 

Description

Aquatic Therapy University: Water-Based Interventions for Musculoskeletal Disorders. This course is designed to teach participants the aquatic principles of basic and intermediate treatment for the patient with a musculoskeletal disorder. In addition, it will provide an overview of the relevant treatments for pediatric, adult, and geriatric cases, with emphasis on musculoskeletal conditions such as: trauma, dislocation, joint replacement, arthritis, chronic pain syndromes; including management of pre and post surgery injuries. Participants will choose, execute, and evaluate how appropriate different water management techniques are in different therapeutic situations. It includes an aquatic laboratory to practice the most useful and popular aquatic techniques in the musculoskeletal population. The laboratory includes exposure to real clients.

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Learning Objectives

1. Describe 3 reasons why aquatic therapy may be the treatment of choice for musculoskeletal disorders.

2. Make a 3 minute verbal “case” for providing aquatic therapy services for a patient with a specific musculoskeletal condition. 

3. List 3 findings from current supportive research to bolster your case.

4. Describe 3 aquatic precautions or contraindications specific to the patient with musculoskeletal complaints. 

5. List 3 payer coverage restrictions related to providing aquatic therapy for the patient with musculoskeletal complaints.

6. Progress 1 aquatic task from a lower level of function towards increased independence, using any of the 12 methods provided.

7. Demonstrate 3  aquatic therapeutic movements, tasks, or exercises designed to reduce pain or improve function.

8. Demonstrate 1-2 aquatic tasks from Watsu, Bad Ragaz, Halliwick, or Salzman Blanket Drills.
9. Design a 15-minute aquatic treatment plan for 1 musculoskeletal condition.

PT CE Information:

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Live courses are pre-approved or should be accepted for continuing education through board rule or reciprocity in:  AL | AK | AZ | AR | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IN | IA | KS | KY | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NH | NM | NC | ND | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WI | WY

Live courses have not been pre-approved, but individuals may seek approval through an individual application in: CA | IL | LA | NV | OH | WV

 

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NOTE: CE has NOT been pre-approved in NY | NJ unless the course is offered in the state itself. There does not appear to be a method for individual application for CEUs.

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Disclaimer: Although ATU does its best to provide accurate information, individuals are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the continuing education (CE) course they choose meets the approval requirements of their state licensing board or relevant regulatory body.

 

OT CE Information:

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Live courses are pre-approved or should be accepted for continuing education through board rule or reciprocity in:  AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | ME | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NC | ND | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY

Live courses have not been pre-approved, but individuals may seek approval through an individual application in: DC | DE | FL | MD | NM | OH

 

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CE has NOT been pre-approved in NY | MT unless the course is offered in the state itself. There does not appear to be a method for individual application for CEUs.

​

Disclaimer:  Although ATU does its best to provide accurate information, individuals are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the continuing education (CE) course they choose meets the approval requirements of their state licensing board or relevant regulatory body.

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Target Audience

PT's, PTA's, OT's, COTA's, SLP's, and other aquatic professionals.

 

Schedule

Day 1

7:30-8:00 Registration

8:00-12:00 Lecture

12:00-1:00 Lunch 

1:00-6:00 Pool lab

 

Day 2

8:00-12:00 Lecture

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-5:00 Pool lab

 

Lecture Location

Holiday Inn and Suites Hudson, WI

181 Carmichael Road

Hudson WI 54016

715.245.4040

 

Pool Lab Location

St. Croix Therapy

742 Sterbenz Drive

Hudson, WI 54016

 

Transportation

If you do not plan to rent a car or use ride share there is a shuttle that goes from the MSP airport to the Hudson, WI park and ride, a 10 minute walk from the Holiday Inn and Suites: If interested the contact info. is 715.830.9400 or groometransportation.com. If you don't have a car I recommend that you consider staying at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites (see lodging info below) where the lecture portion of the course is being held. I can arrange transportation to and from the pool lab portion of the course. 

Lodging

***Discounted rate and lecture portion of the course being held at hotel listed below***

Holiday Inn and Suites Hudson, WI

181 Carmichael Road

Hudson WI 54016

715.245.4040

 

***For discounted rate call hotel and choose option 3 to speak with front desk.  Ask for the "Hudson Medical Rate" and mention the code ANL4L to get the discounted rate of $95.  Make reservations early before hotel is sold out.***

Hotel Link:

https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/hudson/msphs/hoteldetail#scmisc=nav_hoteldetail_ex

 

There are several other hotels near class location:

Best Western Plus

Comfort Suites

Hampton Inn and Suites

AmericInn by Wyndam

Meet your Instructor

Kiki Dickinson, MPT, PAqI

Kathleen (Kiki) Dickinson, MPT graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a master's degree in physical therapy. Kiki has over 25 years of pediatric and adult physical therapy experience at St. Croix Therapy (Therapeutic Services for Children and Adults) in Hudson, Wisconsin. She has extensive experience developing and implementing aquatic therapy programs for a diverse pediatric population which includes working with children of all ages including the birth-to-three population, as well as the ortho-neuro adult population.

 

Kiki founded North Star Aquatic Therapy to offer aquatic therapy courses for both the pediatric and adult populations. Kiki teaches custom aquatic therapy classes nationally and internationally with a focus on the neuro pediatric and geriatric population. Kiki has helped develop course manuals for several pediatric courses for Aquatic Therapy University (ATU) and has developed several of her own individual classes that she has presented at national and state APTA conferences. Kiki has a clinical and research interest in childhood obesity and the impact it has on the special needs population. Kiki has played a significant role in developing aquatic coursework for Speech Language Pathologists, including offering one of the first ASHA approved course in aquatics with ATU.

 

Kiki is certified in Halliwick, Bad Ragaz, Ai Chi and Cranio-sacral Therapy. Kiki has her Aquaticist℠ credentials from ATU. Kiki has been an adjunct professor at St. Catherine’s University for over 20 years and teaches Pediatric Coursework for their Physical Therapy Assistant Program.

Cancellation Policy

Programming Changes: Due to unforeseen circumstances, ATU schedules, instructors and/or meals may need to be changed without notice.

Cancellation of Class By ATU: ATU classes may be cancelled for low registration up to 30 days prior to the class. In this event, a full refund of class tuition or a voucher to another class will be issued to students. ATU does not reimburse change fees, airline tickets or any other travel related expenses, so please do not make plans until you receive the 30-day confirmation prior to the conference.

Cancellation of Class by Student: A refund, minus a $175 reseating fee, will be given for student cancellations made prior to 30 days before the conference. No refunds will be given for cancellations received after 30 day deadline. In the event of a student cancellation after the deadline, enrollment fees may be transferred to other ATU courses within 12 months at no charge.

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