What is WATSU® Aquatic Therapy?

 

WATSU® (Aquatic Shiatsu) was born at Harbin Hot Springs, Middleton, California in 1980. Developed by Harold Dull, this Aquatic Bodywork combines principles and stretches of Zen Shiatsu and Cranial Sacral, while floating people in warm water, preferably 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

 

WATSU ® is based on a “ Being With” heart centered experience, and movement of Qi through the energy meridians of our body. During Watsu® a session, a practitioner holds and expands the experience with a deep presence in the water, with our most basic move the Water Breath Dance.  In this Deep Breath we float someone on our arms and let them sink a little as they breath out and rise with them and we both breath in.  Repeating over and over, this creates a breath and heart resonance, which is then carried into all the stretches and moves. We return to Water Breath Dance and its stillness, through the session.

 

 

                   Who Can Benefit From WATSU® ?

 

 People living with:  

                   

 Back & Neck Pain                            

 Sciatica                                               

 Spasticity                                      

 Emotional Anxiety/Overwhelm              

 Swelling

 Fibromyalgia

 Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome

 Swelling                              

 PTSD/Emotional issues          

 Pregnancy                              

 Artificial Joints/Limb Heaviness               

                                           

Immediate Benefits of WATSU® :

Decreased pain

Decreased stress, insomnia depression, overwhelm & anxiety    

Decreased spasticity/muscle spasm

Increased muscle relaxation  

Increased range of motion/ flexibility

 

Long-term Benefits of WATSU® :  

Improved sleep patterns  

Improved healing and immune system response

Improved depression & anxiety

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However, WATSU® is most appropriate for those who are having difficulty with functional everyday activities, due to pain, muscle spasm/ spasticity.

 

   Most Orthopedic impairments including

1. Post back surgery

2. Back Pain

3. Multiple injuries following trauma

4. Repetitive Stress Injuries

5. Any impairment with muscle spasm, muscle guarding, decreased range of motion or pain.

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    Most Neurological Impairments including:

1.    A.  Stroke                                    

2. Traumatic Brain Injury                                            

3.    C. Spinal Cord Injury

4.    D. Cerebral Palsy

5.    E. Parkinson’s Disease

6. .  Multiple Sclerosis

 

     Precautions 

• Acute & painful conditions get a doctors OK (PRESCRIPTION RX) 

• Vestibular issues (inner ear)

• Diarrhea

• Open Wound or air born disease                                      

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