Facilitation Technique Category: Aquatic Therapy

Activity Title: Basic Watsu Skills: Water Breath Dance, Free Spine, Accordion
Source: Dull, H. (2004). Watsu: freeing the body in water. Trafford Publishing.
Equipment: Pool (set at around 92 degrees F), and multiple floaters.
Activity Description: Watsu is a gentle form of Aquatic Body work. This activity entails
one person (a CTRS most likely), holding the client in their arms, while the therapist
cradles, moves, stretches, and massages the receiver in chest-deep water. This activity is
very useful because, due to the fact that it takes place under water, a lot of the movements
for the clients that are otherwise impossible/difficult to perform on land, are made
possible to perform in the water. The three activities that will be performed are called the
Water Breath Dance, Free Spine, and Accordion. For the Water Breath Dance, a
combination of still and gentle motions, are combined with upward and downwards shifts
in buoyancy as the client breathes. The Free Spine activity is performed by simply
oscillating, or swinging the client back and forth in a very calm manner. As for the
Accordion activity, the technique that is required involves having to bring both knees
away and close to the chest area, in accordance with the clients breath, while also
keeping neck traction.
Leadership Considerations: A CTRS will function as an instructor for this activity, and
he/she will assist if any help is needed by the participant. In addition, it goes without
saying that before any activities are performed, the client will have to specify any
accommodation or disabilities they may need/have in order for the exercise to be
performed properly. As far as leadership considerations go, the obvious ones include
being mindful of any and all disabilities that the client may have and explaining to the
client the benefits and details of the exercise. Most importantly, it is essential for the
coordinator/CTRS to gain the trust of the client, so that the client may relax and fully
enjoy the Watsu experience.
Adaptations: Participants with Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is
identified by musculoskeletal pain along large portions of the body. Other symptoms
include, problems with sleep, memory, and mood. It is a commonly thought that
fibromyalgia is triggered by amplified pain receptors in our bodies, that affect how we
process pain signals. Unfortunately there is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are ways
to help control the symptoms. Watsu Therapy is a common form of therapy for clients
with Fibromyalgia. It great form of pain relief, and is also good at helping the body
physically, emotionally, and psychologically relax itself. Buoyancy, the warm
temperature of the water, and the therapeutic techniques of the teacher, are all factors that
help contribute to the lessening of pain. As far as any specific adaptations, for this
disorder, if /any adaptations are minimal due to the buoyancy effect of the water, helping
the client to seem more weightless than they actually are. (Cardoso et al., 2001)

Participants with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory

disorder that is degenerative. It most commonly affects joints, but it can also damage the
skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. This form of arthritis, affects the lining of our
joints, which causes a painful swelling, which with time can result in bone erosions and
joint deformity. However with pain relief therapies such as Watsu, the swelling and pain
around the clients joints are lowered. The calming effect of the water, combined with the
massages and stretches done inside, assist in the deflammation process, as well as helping
to calm the body. Again, adaptations for this type of disorder are minimal. The buoyancy
of the water helps in reducing the amount of stress put on joints, while the therapy
techniques involved in Watsu help the succumb any pain the client may have. (Faul,
2005)
Adaptations Reverences
- Cardoso, J. R., Atallah, . N., Cardoso, A. P. A., Carvalho, S. S., Garanhani, M. M.,
Lavado, E. L., & Verhagen, A. P. (2001). Aquatic therapy exercise for treating rheumatoid
arthritis. The Cochrane Library.
-Faull, K. (2005). A pilot study of the comparative effectiveness of two water-based
treatments for fibromyalgia syndrome: Watsu and Aix massage.Journal of Bodywork and
Movement Therapies, 9(3), 202-210.