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Dr. Luis G. Vargas is the creator of several aquatic rehabilitation protocols and interventions that are used in aquatic rehabilitation centers worldwide to treat musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, geriatric and pediatrics disorders. Among these are:

• The Clinical Wassertanzen Protocol – this is an aquatic intervention based on Dr. Vargas’ three phases of breathing control: breathing control in the upright position, breathing control in the supine position and breathing control in submersion. The maneuvers and activities featured in this intervention produce a series of musculoskeletal, respiratory and neurological effects depending on the diagnosis for which it is applied. This intervention is presented and discussed at length as a chapter in Dr. Vargas’ first book. Aquatic Therapy: Interventions and Applications.
• The Adapted Pediatric Wassertanzen Protocol – based on the Clinical Wassertanzen Protocol, this is an aquatic intervention designed in two phases for pediatric clients with head control or muscle tone impairments. Dr. Vargas designed this intervention in collaboration with colleague, Judith Alvarado Bradley, PT, MPH.
• The Cardiaquatics Protocol – this is a phase four cardiac rehabilitation supervised protocol that consists of four levels featuring activities in upright standing position and supine floatation positions. This intervention is presented and discussed at length as a chapter in Dr. Vargas’ first book, Aquatic Therapy: Interventions and Applications.
• The Aquatic Lumbar Stabilization Protocol (ALSP) – this is a five- phase protocol that focuses on the recruitment and strengthening of the core musculature for stability and back pain relief in patients with an unstable spine, discogenic disease or spinal fusion. This intervention served as the central objective of a research project conducted by two of his graduates, Drs. Jason Adames and Robert Bailey, in which a comparative study using the Oswestry Scale was established between land based protocols and the ALSP, thus affirming the evidence based efficacy of this aquatic rehabilitation protocol for spine conditions.
• The Aquatic Sacroiliac Dysfunction Protocol (ASID) – created in collaboration with colleague, Professor Flavia E. Bayron, PT, MPA, this aquatic therapy intervention integrates a focused assessment and land as well as aquatic component of corrective maneuvers aimed at the improvement of sacroiliac or iliosacral displacements and consequent pain relief.
• The Therapeutic Aquassage Protocol (TAP) – created in collaboration with colleague, Professor Flavia E. Bayron, this intervention is divided into two components, the upper and lower TAP, in an effort to address clinical problems affecting the soft tissues, myofascia and joint structures as well as pain causing trigger points.
• The Aquatic Spasticity Inhibition Protocol (ASIP) – this protocol integrates techniques or patterns from three popular aquatic therapy interventions used in the aquatic environment for the purpose of inhibiting hypertonicity in patients exhibiting this particular upper motor neuron clinical manifestation.
• The Aquatic Pain Inhibition Protocol (APIP) – this is a comprehensive aquaticotherapeutic intervention designed with pain management and the modulation of pain as the central focus. It is indicated for the treatment of myofascial, soft and connective tissue disorders such as Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Dr. Vargas has conducted a myriad of specialty training workshops and seminars throughout the world covering all the interventions used in aquatic therapy for a variety of diagnoses and diagnostic groups. He is credited with introducing aquatic therapy as a clinical specialty in several countries including Mexico, Costa Rica, and his own homeland of Puerto Rico.

Dr. Luis G. Vargas is the author of the book, Aquatic Therapy: Interventions and Applications, published by Idyll Arbor, Inc. which has received international acclaim and success in this multidisciplinary healthcare industry. He is in the process of publishing his second book to be titled, Diagnostic Aquatics Systems Integration: Specialized Interventions which will be in circulation in the fall of 2011.

Honors and Awards

In lieu of his numerous contributions and dedicated service to the aquatic rehabilitation industry, Dr. Luis G. Vargas received the Dolphin Award in the year 2000 from the Aquatic Therapy and Rehabilitation Institute (ATRI) at the International Symposium. Later, in 2004 he received the highest honor when the ATRI once again bestowed upon him the Aquatic Therapy Professional of the Year Award.

In 2008, the Aquatic Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Associated conferred upon Dr. Luis G. Vargas the Ruoti Award for Excellence in Scholarship at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting.

He has also received a faculty award in recognition of his academic service as outstanding instructor and educator.

Dr. Vargas receives the Ruoti Award for Excellence in Scholarship