Hydrotherapy

Question 1

What are the Indications for Hydrotherapy?

Answer 1

Increased collagen extensibility
Decreased Joint Stiffness
Relieve muscle spasm
Pain Relief
Increased BF
As a warm-up to assist with EXS. 
Possibly assist in resolving inflammation

Question 2

What are the Contraindications of hydrotherapy?

Answer 2

Severe Cardiac Disease
Over Malignancy
Sepsis

Question 3

What are the Precautions of hydrotherapy?

Answer 3

Insensitive pt.

With spinal cord injuries (due to decreased sensations/movement)

Question 4

What is the typical treatment time for hydrotherapy?

Answer 4

20min

Question 5

Temperature Settings

Answer 5

between 55-113 depending on desired effect.

Question 6

Water pressure in hydrotherapy is used for what?

Answer 6

High pressure moves water faster, thus improving convection –> extremity is cooled, or heated quicker.
High pressure may, however, be painful on a wound.

Question 7

Air control in hydrotherapy is used for what?

Answer 7

high air decreases mass of fluid

High air increases sensation of fluid

Question 8

What are the mechanical effects of hydrotherapy?

Answer 8

Agitation - serves as a mechanical stimulation to skin receptors, which may explain its sedative and analgesic effect

May act as a counterirritant or stimulus to large sensory afferents thus blocking pain input.

Question 9

What are the methods of heat transfer in hydrotherapy?

Answer 9

Conduction and convection

Question 10

What are ways in which the water is used as a therapeutic agent in hydrotherapy?

Answer 10

buoyancy, cooling, debridement.`

Question 11

What are some safety and comfort considerations while using a hydrotherapy tank?

Answer 11

Room temp, ventilation, wound care dressing/equipment, water temp checked and recorded, Lifts, stools, rails and in tact.

Question 12

What is a Hubbard Tank used for?

Answer 12

Arthritic pt in exacerbation phase, pt with neurologically involved paralysis, burns, and elderly pts. with open wounds.