About the Editors
Dr. Becker was the Founding Director of the National Aquatic and Sports Medicine Institute at Washington State University, the nation’s leading research facility into the health effects and benefits of aquatic activity in health maintenance and recovery. In that role from 2007 until 2016 he served as a Research Professor at WSU. Dr. Becker has authored numerous textbook chapters and peer-reviewed articles on aquatics and is a frequent lecturer nationally and internationally. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards for his work in aquatics, including being named to “Power 25,” most influential aquatics professionals in the nation by Aquatics International magazine in February 2006 and again in 2010. He was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2011 for his work promoting aquatic activity for its health benefits in both disabled and healthy populations.He was the recipient of the John K. Williams Award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in May 2011 for his work in adapted aquatics. In 2017, he was Awarded the Excellence in Aquatic Therapy Award, from the American Physical Therapy Association Aquatic Physical Therapy Section He is the recipient of major aquatic research grants from the National Swimming Pool Foundation, and was the Director of Health Benefit Research for that foundation. He currently supervises the national Chinese aquatic therapy training program, directing an international group of elite senior aquatic therapists in conducting training programs throughout southeastern and eastern China. Dr. Becker, as a principal in Aquatic Science Associates LLC does extensive forensic consultation and has participated in numerous legal cases involving aquatic activity, physiology, and adverse events across the nation. A graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Becker completed his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Washington within the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine where he has been a Clinical Professor since 2000.
Dr. Cole served for many years as the Medical Director and President of Northwest Spine & Sports Physicians, PC, Bellevue, WA. He has lectured extensively locally, nationally and internationally. He has served on numerous committees for multiple local, regional, state, national and international organizations. Dr. Cole has edited six textbooks and has published over 100 articles related to the nonoperative management of spine and joint injuries and pain. The focus of much of his writing and research has related to the use of the aquatic environment for rehabilitation of musculoskeletal pain. He has received research grants to study spinal pain. He is the past president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation’s musculoskeletal society: The Physiatric Association for Spine Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation. He has received numerous awards including the Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Lectureship from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for his outstanding contributions to the nonoperative management of lumbar spine pain. He received this award specifically for his work on aquatic approaches for rehabilitation of spine pain. He has been the team physician or consulting team physician for numerous professional, college and high school, club and recreational teams. He is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Washington, Seattle Washington
Comprehensive Aquatic Therapy
3rd Edition
Bruce E. Becker, MD, MS,FACSM
Andrew J. Cole, MD