4 - Hydro - 1 - Introduction Flashcards
Hydrotherapy
Application of water in any of its three forms for therapeutic purposes:
- solid - ice
- liquid - water
- vapor - steam
Hydrotherapy - Water
Has the ability to absorb in contact heat.
Soothing & nurturing
Solid state: effective cooling agent
Vapor state: facials & steam baths
Liquid state: sprays & immersion baths
Used to:
- control body temperature
- cleanse body
- stimulate circulation
- administrate chemical solution through the skin
- for therapeutic exercise
- encourage relaxation
- relieve emotional trauma
Hydrotherapy - Water - Temperature
Normal internal human body temperature is 98.6°F / 37°C
Water boiling point is 212°F / 100°C
Water freezing point is 32°F / 0°C
Hot water: 98.6°F (above body temperature)
Medium to warm water: 94°F to 96°F (slightly below normal body temperature)
Cool water: 70°F to 80°F
Cold water: 55°F & below
Hydrotherapy - Water - Type of body changes
Results of hydrotherapy
- Thermal - 1st the take effect
[produced by application of water temperatures above/below body temp. By bath, wrap, packs]
- Mechanical
[produced by pressure exerted on the body surface by sprays, whirlpool baths & friction]
- Chemical
[Produced by drinking water as an aid to digestion and elimination]
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - Water treatment
Based on simple physical property of water: heat, cold & pressure can be conveyed to many blood vessels & nerves in the skin.
Average skin surface temperature: 92°F
Water approximating the skin temperature has no marked affect on the body.
The greater the difference between the water and the skin temperatures, the greater the stimulating affect of the treatment
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments
Body reaction may be either stimulating or sedating to:
- the circulatory system
- nervous system
- eliminatory processes
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - Physical changes
Body strives to maintain internal body temp regardless of external environment temperature.
When heat or cold is applied, physiological changes occur, depending on:
- the temperature
- duration of exposure
- size of the treated body area
- body part thermal conductivity
Treatments of short duration may have different effects than longer treatments
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - General application effects
Systemic effects
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - Local application effects
Immediate responses in our current in the area of being treated
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - Systemic effects
Changes that occur in the functionally related group of parts or organs
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - Reflex effects
Not the immediate responses of the skin area but effects that occur elsewhere in the body through the nervous system
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - Physiological effects
Physiological effects from heat/cold application are predictable making them a powerful therapeutic agent
Hydrotherapy - Body reactions to water treatments - Extreme temperatures
To avoid or use under very close supervision
Thermal treatment below freezing or above 115°F may damage tissues
Risks:
- Prolonged general treatment below 70°F: Hypothermia
- Prolonged general treatment above 110F: Hyperthermia
Either condition is potentially dangerous
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Heat
Measured in terms of the calories
1 cal= amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of 1 g of water 1° on the centigrade scale.
This unit sometimes called: small or gram calorie (different from large calorie = kilocalorie equal to 1,000 calories used in nutrition)
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Type of application
Depends on:
- the body parts to be treated
- its condition
- the objectives of application
Application types:
- dry heat - heating pad, infrared radiation
- moist heat - immersion baths, sprays (pulsating), moist heat pack, steam & sauna bath
- Diathermy: high-frequency electrical currents used to heat deep muscular tissues such as shortwave, microwave & ultrasound
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Reaction to heat application
Depends on the intensity of the heat application.
Immediate reaction can be:
- mild application: analgesic effect
- moderate application: stimulating effect
- extreme application: fear of pain
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Therapeutic effects
- Extensibility of collagen in tissues is increased
- Joint stiffness is decreased & range of motion is increased
- Pain is relieved (analgesia)
- Muscle spasm are reduced and relieved
- Blood flow is increase (vasodilation)
- Sweating is increased
- Pulse rate is increased
- Respiration rate is increased
- Number of white blood cells in treated area is increased
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Local effects of heat - Superficial heat vs. deep heat
Superficial heat treatments: do not elevated temperature of musculature or increase blood flow
Deep heat treatments: increase blood flow & deeper structures temperature
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Local effects of heat - Moist heat vs. dry heat
Moist heat penetrates deeper than dry heat
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Local effects of heat
Local effects of heat: largely confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
Most important local effects: increase in the metabolic rate of cells
Chemical local effects: vasodilation of the local vasculature causing:
- opening of the vessels & increase of blood flow to treated area
- local redness (= erythema)
- changes in red and white blood cells of the treated region (incl. increase in number & in the speed of movement, facilitating the healing process & repairing of damaged tissues)
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Systemic effects of heat
Have the most pronounce influence on the cardiovascular system
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Systemic effects of heat - General responses
Includes:
- generalized vessel dilation of cutaneous vessels
- drop in peripheral blood pressure
- increased heart rate & pulse
- blood volume increase due to a shift of fluid from the tissues to the bloodstream (= hydrostatic effect)
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Systemic effects of heat - Hydrostatic effect
Shift of fluid from the tissues to the bloodstream increasing blood volume
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Systemic effects of heat - Generalized vasodilation risk
A drop in blood pressure due to generalized vasodilation can reduce blood flow to the brain and cause fainting.
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Systemic effects of heat - Respiratory changes
May occur due to increased body temperature.
Body is trying to breathe of the excess heat.
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Systemic effects of heat - Integumentary system
Skin respond to systemic application of heat by increasing activity of its sweat glands.
Sweat (diaphoresis) cools body by:
- bringing air to the surface in the fluid.
- evaporation of the fluid on the skin when exposed to air
- transferring heat from the sweat on the skin to adjacent cooler air molecules.
Hydrotherapy - Application of heat - Systemic effects of heat - Nervous system
Systemic application of heat affects nervous system by creating an analgesic affect by competing with pain impulses
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Difference treatment and skin temperature
The greater the difference between treatment and skin temperature, the greater the effect
The colder the treatment is, the greater danger of tissue damage is
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Cryotherapy
Application of called agents for therapeutic purposes
Beneficial on painful, inflamed and swollen areas
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - RICE
R - Rest
I - Ice
C - Compression
E - Elevation
Treatment for soft tissue injury (as strain or sprain)
Effects: reduces swelling, pain and secondary tissue damage resulting from excessive swelling
As soon as swelling subsided: limited massage therapy can proceed on healing tissue
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Contrast therapy
Promotes healing by alternate application of heat and cold
Increases circulation to an area
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Options cold application
- Immersion bath
- Ice packs
- Ice massage
- Compressor units with thermal packs
- Vasocoolant sprays
- Cold mitten friction
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Therapeutic effects
- Decrease of extensibility of collagen in tissues
- Pain relief (anesthesia)
- Inflammatory process is for slowed
- Decrease of circulation (vasoconstriction)
- Decreased metabolic reaction rates
- Decreased respiration rate
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Local effects of cold
Immediate response:
- vasoconstriction
> restricting blood flow, causing a slowing of local circulation & lowering of local tissue temperature
> Decrease of metabolic rate of affected tissue
- Slight increase of blood viscosity
- Blanching of the skin & local piloerection.
Decrease venous flow : concentration of deoxygenated blood in local area, causing cooled skin to be blue (=Pallor)
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Local effects of cold - Long vs. short applications
Short application: stimulating effect
Prolonged application: sedative or depressive effect
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Systemic effects of cold
Sensory & motor peripheral nerves are affected by cooling.
Sensation fell during the use of a cold treatment:
- Cold
- Painfully cold
- Less cold & more pain (= hyperesthesia)
- Burning (= paraesthesia)
- Numbness (= anesthasia)
Cold affects deeper tissues than heat, due to greater temperature difference with the body.
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Systemic effects of cold - Hunting’s Reaction
= body’s reaction to cold while hunting
If cold application last more than 10 minutes
Reflexive vasodilation of the vasculature of the cold treated area to equalize temperature of the region (blood vessels delate & blood pumped again into injured area, causing further bleeding and swelling).
Exple: nose & fingers turning red when in the cold weather
Vasodilation: opposite to desired vasoconstriction, so cold treatment never more than 10min/application, every 2 hours (unless performed by medical professional during first 24-48 hours of the injury)
Hydrotherapy - Application of cold - Cold Mitten Friction
Perform with a terry cloth mitt or washcloth dipped in cold water over the whole body.
- Stimulates blood flow to the skin
- Train the skin to react cold
- General tonic
- Increases blood white blood cell activity & antibody production
Application:
- Good for client bedridden & not receiving circulatory stimulation through exercise.
- Regular application of cold act as a form of exercise for muscles that dilate and constrict blood vessels of the skin
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Bath
Practice in which the body is surrounded by water.
Two objectives:
- External cleanliness
- Stimulation of bodily functions
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Cold bath
40-67°F
Limited to 3-5 minutes
Short cold bath or cold sponging of body: better tolerated if accompanied by friction or gentle rubbing with a rough towel
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Cool bath
67-75°F
Satisfactory temperature for all-around bathing, particularly during warm weather
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Tepid bath
85-95°F - slightly warm
Exerts a soothing & relaxing effect on the body
Recommended for nervous and excitable people
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Saline bath
90-94°F
10-20min
3-5lbs of common salt / tub of water
Marked tonic effect by stimulating the circulation
Effect similar to natural bathing in seawater.
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Warm or hot bath
Warm: 95-100°F
Hot: 100-115°F
5-20min
Quiets tired nerves, soothes aching muscles & helps to relieve insomnia
Induces relaxation & relieves nervous tension.
Cool shower should follow warm bath as it:
- forces blood away from the skin
- closes pores
- leaves the body in a refreshed condition
Shifting fluid from one part of the body to another = hydrostatic affect.
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Hydrostatic affect
Shifting fluid from one part of the body to another
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Very hot and very cold baths
Only for clients in healthy condition & can withstand such treatment
Hot bath/shower: undue stimulation to the body and may overwork the heart
Cold bath/shower: tremendous shock to the nervous system
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Whirlpool, jacuzzi or hot tub
Partial immersion in agitated water provides relaxation
Effects:
- Mechanical
- Thermal
- Sedative
Used to:
- Treat burn victims
- Stimulate wound healing
- Relieve pain
- Soften tissue
- Help with congestive headaches
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Hubbard tank
Full immersion tub with a turbine for administrating underwater exercise with neutral or moderate heat
Often used for neurological condition as:
- Hemiplegia
- Polio
- Parkinson’s
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
Hydrotherapy - Kinds of baths - Sitz
= Hip bath
Hot: 5-10 min is usually sufficient
Cold: 3-5 min
Immerse only the hips and pelvic region in either a hot, tempered or cold water (or alternately hot & cold)
Stimulant to the pelvic region
Effective in overcoming chronic constipation
Beneficial for the kidneys, bladder & six organs
Hydrotherapy - Contraindications for Hydrotherapy
Water treatments involving hot and cold application should not be given to client with:
- cardiac impairment
- diabetes
- arterosclerosis
- lung disease
- kidney infection
- extremely high or low blood pressure
- an infectious skin condition.
Hydrotherapy - Contraindications for Hydrotherapy - Hot water
Immersion in hot water contraindicated for pregnant women, especially in 1st trimester
Hydrotherapy - Contraindications for Hydrotherapy - Raynaud’s syndrome
Vasoconstriction disorder of the extremities causing severely restricted blood flow to fingers, toes, nose (semetimes ears etc.) often causing discoloration of the digit (white, blue, red)
Local cold is contraindicated
Hydrotherapy - Contraindications for Hydrotherapy - Buerger’s disease
Acute inflammation & thrombosis (clotting) of arteries and veins in the hands and feet.
Avoid: Local head to the hands and feet in the form of hot bath, heating pads or paraffin dips
