Sarrah Morose

LEI 4724
Activity File 1
Activity Title: Halliwick Aquatic Therapy
Citation: Dattilo, John, and Alexis McKenney. Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic
Recreation. State College, PA: Venture, 2011. Print.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.
"Neurological & Neuromuscular Pool Therapy." HydroWorx. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.
Grosse, Susan J. "The Halliwick Method: Applications for Individuals with Orthopedic
Conditions." Aquatic Consulting & Education Resource Services. Web.
Equipment: bathing suit, towel, eyewear (optional), hair water cap (optional)
Activity description: Halliwick is an aquatic therapy technique, performed in a pool area
setting, that teaches comfort and balance. It requires a one-to-one ratio of participant to a
trainer. Many of the activities done during this therapy are presented in a game format in
which participants are able to increase awareness of the water. This activity is based on a
10 point program. During this process, the trainer facilitates a development through
mental adjustment, rotational control, inhibition and facilitation. Mental adjustment
involves maintaining balance in a vertical position, controlling breathing, and activities
that consist of gradual removal of the trainers support. Rotational control consists of the
use of arms or legs to restore balance in the water. The inhibition consists of holding a
desired position in the water instructed by the trainer in order to create a controlled
movement through the water. It can be standing, squatting, or a supine position. The
facilitation consists of turbulent gliding when participant is taught to maintain a balanced
position while being moved passively through the water. ( Dattilo &Mc.Kenney, 2011)
Leadership considerations: Aquatic therapy can be delivered in various settings. It
encourages the participants to be included in the communities. In order to successfully
conduct a session of the Hallawick aquatic therapy, there are basic steps for any aquatic
therapy program that the trainer should cover with participants. The trainer will have to
conduct an analysis of mental adjustment and instructions in techniques to improve
comfort in the water. The trainer will need to explain the effects of buoyancy, turbulence
and weight of the water while recommending a degree of breathing and control of the
head. The trainer will have to teach a participant to roll from back to front while floating
in a horizontal position and then going back to a vertical position. There are also three
key considerations that the trainer should cover with participants. They are: assessment,
groups, and contraindication and precautions. The assessment part includes an
explanation of the differences between land and water movements in order to let
participants be aware that some of the exercises done on land may use different muscles
than when used in water. The groups part includes working with groups of participants to
encourage motivation, socialization and concentration, which gives the ability to work for
a longer period of time. However, the trainer should first consider the type of population
in order to determine whether working in groups can be considered because participant
may need trainers support at all time in water to facilitate balance and prevent drowning.

The contraindication and precautions part include an understanding of the precautions

and contraindication that are associated with water activities. The trainer should keep in
mind that this activity is not recommended for participants who have open wounds,
bowel incontinence, diseases that can be transmitted through water, hepatitis A, open
tracheotomies, uncontrolled seizures, unstable blood pressure and certain skin conditions.
The trainer should consider providing additional support to participants who have a
cardiac condition, urinary tract infection, bladder condition, fear of water, vital lung
condition, intravenous lines and those who are more likely to get fatigue easily. (Dattilo
& Mc. Kenney, 2011)
Adaptations for participants with orthopedic conditions: Individuals with orthopedic
conditions have an absence of limbs, joint impairment, abnormal muscle tones, reflex
patterns that affect motor activity and limit the daily function ability. Individuals in this
population may have a hard time to keep their balance in water. The trainer will have to
provide as much support as possible in keeping body balance in water. The benefits of
this activity for individuals with orthopedic conditions include, facilitation of
development of motor control, control of breathing, reduction in tension, improvement in
endurance and cardiorespiratory fitness. (Grosse, 2016)
Adaptations for participants with neurological disabilities: Individuals with
neurological disabilities have a disorder in the nervous system of their body. The disorder
may affect their brain and cause symptoms such as paralysis, muscle weakness, poor
coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and unstable level of
consciousness. (Wikipedia, 2016). The benefit of this activity for this population include
sensory stimulation, ability to manage pain, balance, stability, personal confidence, body
massage that can reduce body discomfort. (Hydroworx, 2016)