Hydrotherapy Flashcards
What is hydrotherapy?
The application of water in any form - including liquid solid or gas - to produce therapeutic effects on the body.
Physiological effects of hydrotherapy
They occur as the body attempts to return to homeostasis. For instance, heat hydrotherapy produces the physiological effect increasing blood flow to the area on which it is applied; cold therapy produces initial vasoconstriction to the area; contrast hydrotherapy produces increased local circulation.
Reflexive effects of hydrotherapy
They occur away from the application site by influence of the nervous system. For example, heat hydrotherapy applied to one limb will increase blood flow to the distal part of the same limb in the arterial trunk reflex.
5 Principles of Hydrotherapy
1) The greater the temperature difference between the application and the body, the more pronounced the effects of the hydrotherapy.
2) The greater the area an application covers, the more pronounced the effects of the hydrotherapy.
3) The effects of an application vary depending on the length of time it is applied.
4) The weight of the application should be considered so that painful compression is avoided.
5) Following any full-body application, the client should rest at least the same amount of time as the application was applied.
Hydrotherapy Cautions
- Never leave a client unattended when a hydrotherapy application is on him or her.
- Never allow a client to lie on top of a hydrotherapy application, as the effects of the application may be multiplied beyond a manageable level.
- Never use less than four layers of toweling (or an industry approved barrier) with the application of a hydrocollator pack.
- Always note any changes in the client’s tissue that indicate a dangerous response to a hydrotherapy application (for example, changes in vascular supply, subcutaneous fat or muscle mass).
- Always monitor the client visually and verbally for any adverse reactions to the hydrotherapy application
Heat and Cold Allergy Reactions
welting, rashes, headaches, lethargy, delirium, and/or nausea
Heat-Specific Systemic Reactions
profuse sweating away from the area of application, obvious changes in respiratory rate
Cold-Specific Systemic Reactions
body-wide piloerections (goose bumps) and uncontrollable shivering or chills
Stage of Injury when Heat Hydrotherapy is Applied
Chronic (4 weeks to 2 years post injury)
Duration of Heat Hydrotherapy Application
5 minutes to 30 minutes (10 minutes is common)
Heat application considered warm
96.8 to 100.4 (36 to 38) degrees
Heat application considered hot
> 102.2 (39) degrees
Types of Heat Hydrotherapy Applications
- Hydrocollator Pack
- Thermophore
- Arm and Foot Baths
- Wax (paraffin) Baths
- Warm Compresses
- Self-Care
Hydrocollator Pack
A gel-filled cloth pack placed in a temperature controlled water tank (160 degrees); four layers of toweling separate the pack from the skin; generally applied for 10 minutes
Thermophore
An electric moist-heat pad that is temperature-controlled and ranges in size; generally applied for 10 minutes
Arm and Foot Baths
small water receptacles that allow for the local immersion of an arm or foot followed by thorough drying; generally applied for 30 minutes
Wax (paraffin) Baths
melted paraffin applied to the skin; after application, the body region is covered in plastic film and a towel to conserve heat; generally applied for 20 minutes