Hydrotherapy 100 intro Flashcards
definition of Hydrotherapy
The use/application of water to the body in any of its three forms.
- Applied internally or externally for the maintenance of health, or treatment of disease or trauma.
- Mainly influences the nervous system, circulatory system, and the integumentary system.
rational of hydrotherapy
● Human body is made up of approximately 70% water.
● Water works synergistically with the natural healing mechanisms of our bodies
● Our body’s cells are bathed in watery fluids, which transport many elements needed for healthy function (eg. nutrients, hormones, and substances for repair)
● Because the body and its activities are so fluid-based, water applications complement our natural functions.
● Hot or cold water applications enhance our body’s ability to heal by affecting the nervous, circulatory, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems.
The temperature of the water is
is the determining factor in achieving a therapeutic outcome in a hydrotherapy application.
○ The difference in temperature between the source of heat/cold and the part of the body to which it is being applied to creates the therapeutic outcome.
○ The application temperature in relation to the body’s temperature is the most important factor.
the therapist can control
■ Temperature
■ Extent of the Treatment
■ Duration
a reaction is
In physiological terms, reaction refers to the body’s response to stress.
● The body will respond and adapt to stressors by initiating strengthening reactions which increase the speed and efficiency of its feedback responses.
● Achieved through a feedback cycle or loop via the central nervous system (CNS), which reflects changes in the body’s environment to adapt to a stimulus.
● Too much stress can overwhelm the defense mechanisms, and lead to tissue damage in the body.
core concepts
- Properties of the Skin
- Functions of the Skin
- Temperature Regulation
- Properties of Water
- Effects of Hydrotherapy Applications
- Transfer of Heat
- Temperature Scale
properties of the skin
● Skin is the largest organ in the body.
● Comprises approximately 16% of total body weight.
● Consists of three layers
○ Epidermis - outer layer
○ Dermis - middle layer
○ Hypodermis or Subcutaneous (Sub-Q) layer - deepest layer
5 functions of skin
- Protection
- Excretion
- Absorption
- Thermoregulation
5, Sensation
protection
➤ The skin is our 1st line of defense & helps keep pathogens out of the body.
● Melanin - Protects us from ultraviolet (UV) rays
● Keratin - Toughens the skin, giving it durability
● Fatty/Lipid Substance - Waterproofs the skin
● Calluses - Thickening of the skin cells caused by continuous friction, protecting underlying, more fragile structures (eg. weight training)
thermoregulation
● At rest, the dermis contains 8-10% of the body’s blood flow, therefore it acts like a blood reservoir.
● Subcutaneous blood vessels change in diameter in response to heat and cold
○ Heat - Causes the blood vessels to open up (dilate), filling capillaries that bring more blood flow to the body’s surface. This allows heat contained in the blood to escape.
○ Cold - Causes the blood vessels to narrow (constrict), which reduces the blood flow to the surface of the skin. This promotes heat conservation in the body.
excretion
● The skin excretes water, salts, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and urea (by-product of protein metabolism, produced by the kidneys).
● The skin is not a primary organ of elimination, however it helps reduce the demand on other organs that act as environmental toxin, and metabolic waste filters or eliminators.
● The body’s organs of elimination/filtration are:
Skin
Kidney
Intestine
Liver
Lung
Spleen
➤ Therefore, daily hydrotherapy or temperature therapy can increase the efficiency of elimination and strengthen the body’s general immunity.
absorption
● The skin absorbs fat-soluble materials through the capillaries in hair shafts (eg. some massage oil is absorbed through the skin).
● This is significant therapeutically when additives are used in conjunction with hydrotherapy applications (eg. epsom salts or herbs in baths).
EFFECTS OF HYDROTHERAPY APPLICATIONS:
A. Local Effects
B. Systemic Effects
C. Reflex Effects
three categories of reflex effects
i. VASOMOTOR EFFECTS - Affects the smooth muscle of blood vessels supplying a tissue, leading to constriction or dilation of the vessels.
ii. VISCEROMOTOR EFFECTS - The effects that temperature change has on smooth muscle tissue of the viscera (organs).
iii. GLANDULAR EFFECTS - The effects that hydrotherapy can have on glandular secretions. Eg. Mucous, enzymes, and hormones
arterial trunk reflex
Arterial Trunk Reflex - Whatever the influence is on a large artery, the same effect may be conveyed to smaller blood vessels branching off the primary artery.
○ It is important to be aware of this type of reflex in conditions where heat is contraindicated.
conduction
● The exchange of heat between two objects that are in direct contact with each other.
● Eg. Paraffin wax dip, heat pack, hot stone massage.
convection
● The result of movement of heated gas or liquid between surfaces at different temperatures.
● Eg. Convection oven or Steam Room.
evaporation
● The conversion of a liquid into vapour/gas.
● Eg. Sweating, Steam Room
radiation
● Radiation requires no direct contact between the objects, the transfer of heat between objects via infrared rays.
conversion
● Involves no externally applied heat.
● Uses energy through a substance to heat it.
● Eg. Ultrasound.
hydrotherapy mainly influences
Nervous, Integumentary Circulatory, Endocrine and the Musculoskeletal systems
hydrocollator packs
hottest front left
coldest back right
water is used in its 3 forms
solid liquid gas
Remember that water is the medium and that Temperature determines the therapeutic outcome).
the human body is made up of
70% water
rationale of hydrotherapy
The difference in temperature between the source of heat or cold, and the part of the body to which it is being applied is what creates the therapeutic outcome.
The application temperature in relation to the body’s temperature is the most important factor. The body’s temperature can affect the outcome
purpose of hydrotherapy
To restore homeostasis in the body
To normalize the quantity of blood circulating through a given area, during a given amount of time, by manipulating factors affecting circulation.
Hydrotherapy can be used to strengthen the body’s response to stress when done safely and effectively
reaction
In physiological terms, reaction refers to the body’s response to stress.
Body responds and adapts by initiating strengthening reactions, which increase the speed and efficiency of its feedback responses.
This is done through a feedback cycle/loop via the central nervous system, which reflects changes to adapt to a stimulus.
Too much stress can lead to tissue damage of the body.
derivation
Heat causes the blood vessels to open up (vasodilate), filling capillaries that bring more blood flow to the body’s surface – allowing heat contained in the blood to escape
retrostasis
In response to cold, the blood vessels narrow (vasoconstrict), reducing the blood flow to the surface and promoting heat conservation in the body.
three layers of skin
Epidermis
Dermis
Hypodermis or Subcutaneous (Sub-Q) Layer
functions of the skin
Protection Excretion Absorption (ie: Vitamin D Synthesis Thermoregulation Sensation
protection
melanin-sun
keratin-toughens the skin
fatty/lipid
callous
temperature regulation
The thermo–regulatory system or HYPOTHALAMUS is situated in the brain and is regarded as a Thermostat, which regulates body temperature via a feedback loop system.
core temperature
37 degrees
skin temperature
33-35 degrees
Thermoreceptors
Pre – Optic Area of the Hypothalamus
Special heat sensitive neurons increase their impulse output as the temperature rises, and decreases their output when the temperature decreases.
spinal cord
Temperature receptors in the spinal cord, abdomen, and possibly other internal structures also transmit signals, mostly cold signals to the central nervous system
skin
Skin temperature receptors include both warm and cold receptors.
There are four to ten times as many cold receptors.
Receptors transmit nerve impulses to the spinal cord which are relayed to the hypothalamus.
hydrostatic pressure
When a body is immersed in a fluid, the pressure exerted on it is equal at a constant depth, and is exerted equally in a horizontal direction at any level. The pressure increases with depth and increased density of the fluid
specific heat
Specific heat: the heat absorbing capacity of a substance.
Water has a high specific heat, meaning it can give up and absorb large quantities of heat.
Water absorbs more heat for a given weight than any other substance, and as such is the standard of specific heat.
the specific heat of water is 1
This means that 1 calorie (unit of heat) is required to raise 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius.
The significance of this in terms of hydrotherapy is that it takes a lot of heat to raise the temperature of water, and therefore, when it cools, water gives off a lot of heat.
This makes water an excellent vehicle for carrying heat.
latent heat
the amount of heat required to produce a change in state
latent heat of vapourization
the energy required to change water from a liquid to a vapour.
Latent heat of fusion
the energy required to change water from a liquid to a solid.
cold
16-18c
lukewarm
23-32c
neutral
33-35c
warm
36-38c
hot
39-41c
very hot
42-44c
hydrotherapy mainly influences the
nervous,
integumentary systems
circulatory,
endocrine
reflex efffects
Typically, the section of skin that overlies an organ is the reflex area for that organ; while other reflex areas are more distant.
Treating the skin in a reflex area can address the related organ.
three categories of reflex efftects
Vasomotor effects
Visceromotor effects
Glandular effects
transfer of heat
Heat transfer is an exchange of energy between two materials that occurs in relation to the temperature difference between the two materials.
heat transfer occurs by 5 methods
Conduction Convection Conversion Evaporation Radiation
