CONTRAINDICATIONS TO WATSU
ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATIONS
not appropriate for aquatic therapy
- Fever over 100 degrees
- Uncontrolled epilepsy
- Cardiac failure
- Significant open wounds
- Respiratory disease of vital capacity less than 1500cm2
- Severe urinary tract infection
- Blood infection
- Tracheostomy
- Bowel incontinence
- Menstruation without internal protection
- Infectious disease
RELATIVE CONTRAINDICATIONS
may not be appropriate/necessary precaution may need to be taken
- Skin infections with drainage
- Small open wounds (can be covered with tegrederm)
- Uncontrolled blood pressure (moderate high BP ok, but maybe not v. low BP. Ask doctor)
- Unstable angina, cardiac arrythmias or additional cardiac considerations (ask doctor if appropriate to go in warm water)
- Intravenous lines, heplocks, hichman line, external collection devices (ask doctor)
- Cerebral hemorrhage (should wait at least 3 weeks after bleeding has ceased. Ask doctor)
- Multiple sclerosis – may not tolerate warm water well (depends on client)
- Chlorine sensitivity
- Absence of cough reflex (would need to be monitored closely)
- Dizziness, vertigo (may need to keep eyes open or client gives feedback)
- Behaviour problems – inappropriate physical, verbal or sexual behaviour
RANGE OF MOTION PRECAUTIONS
(ask doctor if Watsu appropriate for client)
- Recent total hip replacement
- Recent spinal surgery
- Acute ligamentous instability
- Recent bone fracture
- Arthritic cervical spine (care with neck position required, especially hyperextension)
- Pain with spinal or peripheral range of motion – many can be treated with modifications to Watsu technique. Client should give feedback during the Watsu if a particular movement is aggravating their symptoms
- Back/neck pain – bulged/herniated disc, facet irritation, spondylolethesis, arthritis (avoid extreme positions of spine)
- Fibromyalgia
- Frequent ear infections – may be appropriate to use ear plugs or medication
