Friction Treatments Flashcards
What is dry skin brushing?
The use of a dry, soft bristly natural fibre brush to massage the skin and increase circulation
What does dry skin brushing involve?
brisk long or circular movements with a more obvious direction towards to heart
Why is dry skin brushing good before a shower or bath?
skin debris is sloughed off and can be rinsed
What are the effects/uses for dry skin brushing?
exfoliates the skin, increases skin circulation temporarily, stimulate hormones and sebaceous glands, part of an overall health regime, helps rejuvenate the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin
What are contraindications/precautions for dry skin brushing?
severe varicose veins, acute inflammatory skin conditions, neuritis or neuralgia, varicose ulcers, abscesses or open sores, fresh sunburns, just shaved skin, regular use of irritating
How do you clean up after dry skin brushing?
wash the brush with soap and water and then spray with alcohol, at home wash every few weeks
How long does dry skin brushing take?
3-5 min max
What types of movements do you use while dry skin brushing?
similar to effleurage or kneading, heavier pressure towards heart and light pressure on the return
What can you use instead of a dry skin brush if the skin is too sensitive?
a dry cloth or a softer brush
What is a salt scrub?
the application of slightly moistened salt to the body using friction
What are the effects/uses of salt scrubs?
increases skin circulation and stimulates cutaneous nerves, removes dead cells and softens rough skin, gradually increases responsiveness and tolerance of cold application, if perspiration is reduced or sluggish its is a good method of stimulating the sweat glands before treatment
What are the contraindications/precautions of salt scrubs?
open wounds, recent scar tissue, freshly shaved skin
What type of salt is used for salt scrubs
sea salt or Epsom salt
What is a paraffin wax treatment?
the local application of hot melted paraffin wax to the skin surface, usually the hands, forearms, and feet. The body part is covered in the hot paraffin wax
What are the effects of paraffin wax?
the paraffin wax creates a seal that prevents the release of heated air from the surface of the skin. Fine layers of perspiration from underneath the wax, continues to conduct heat to tissue below, hyperemia, relaxes connective tissue, can have an effect on deeper structures through reflex mechanisms
Why can paraffin wax be heated more than water and not burn the skin?
has low thermal conductivity, which prevents burning of the skin because it emits heat more slowly than other agents
What does the first layer of paraffin wax Do?
traps air and moisture to create even heat distribution
What are the uses of paraffin wax>
heat application to distal extremities, chronic arthritic areas, chronic scars and adhesions, prehead for massage,
What are the CI and precautions of paraffin wax?
open wounds, skin rashes, peripheral vascular disease (Raynaud’s or Buerger’s disease) impaired skin sensation, vascular insufficiency, severe varicose veins, hemophilia, post-acute trauma, long term steroid use of people who have capillary fragility, plates, pins, prosthesis, cancer, acute/sub-acute inflammation, advanced diabetes, elderly, nail polish/acrylic
What is the melting point of paraffin wax?
55 degrees Celcius
True or false: a commercial wax bath is self-sterilizing
true, when plugged in heats up to 65 degrees Celcius and then cools down
What methods are used to apply paraffin wax?
dip, paint, pour, or gauze
How long do you leave paraffin wax on?
15-20 min
What is actinotherapy?
application for therapeutic purposes of the chemically active rays of the electromagnetic spectrum (as ultraviolet light or x-rays)
Give 3 examples of actinotherapy
ultraviolet, laser, infrared
What is the difference between the different modalities of actinotherapy?
their wavelength, the shorter (higher frequency) of the radiation the higher amount of energy is given off
What are the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation depend on?
frequency, exposure, duration, tissue characteristics, and power density
Infrared waves include ________ radiation which is felt as heat
Infrared waves include THERMAL radiation which is felt as heat
What type of heat is infrared radiation?
superficial dry heat
Heat transfer of infrared radiation occurs by what?
conversion, the energy is absorbed into the body
What sources can you get infrared radiation from?
luminous (near/short) or non-luminous (far/long)
What is non-luminous or far infrared radiation/
the portion of the infrared farthest to that of visible light has a longer wavelength and penetrates only slightly less than 2mm of the skin. Almost all of the energy is absorbed within the top 0.5mm of the epidermis
What is non-luminous infrared radiation used for?
heating panels
What is luminous or near infrared radiation
closer to the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, has a shorter wavelength and penetrates as deep as 5-10mm in the skin, can reach the dermis and capillaries
What are the advantages of both luminous and non-luminous infrared?
there is no pressure on the skin or body part treated, areas remain sterile, can be used on open wounds, exposed area may be constantly monitored, relaxing treatment soothes CNS
What are the advantages of nonluminous infrared radiation?
doesn’t penetrate as deeply, is less likely to aggravate inflammation, and would be more appropriate to use in acute stages
What are the advantages of luminous infrared radiation?
the heat source is more constant, penetrates deeper, is more effective for chronic conditions where inflammation is not a consideration, less awkward to handle
Infrared lamp intensity is controlled by what?
wattage, distance, what area, length of exposure
How far away from the body should an IR lamp be from the body part? For how long?
30” (76cm) at a 45-90 degree angle for up to 30 min
When is the distance of an IR lamp set?
after patient lays down
