Hydrotherapy

Question 1

Hydrotherapy definition

Answer 1

Use of water for therapeutic purposes

Question 2

Intrinsic Properties of Water and their Definitions (3)

Answer 2

• Density: Compacted arrangement of molecules
• Specific gravity: : Weight density of a substance compared to water determines ability to float
• Viscosity: Molecular binding force (stronger the bind= more viscous)

Question 3

Thermal Properties of Water and their definitions (2)

Answer 3

• Specific Heat: Capacity to hold heat

* Thermal conductivity: Ability of substance as a heat conductor

Question 4

Mechanical Properties of Water and their definitions (3)

Answer 4

• Hydrostatic Pressure: Amount of pressure enforced on a submerged
substance
• Buoyancy Force: Submerged object will experience an buoyant force in the vertical or upward direction. The center of volume of an object or person will rotate/ adjust to be vertically aligned with the buoyancy force. Induces a state of relative body weightlessness.
• Drag Force: Resists movement of the object in a parallel but opposing direction.

Question 5

Ways to modify the biophysiological aspects of water (4)

Answer 5

• Viscosity via water temperature
• Vary hydrostatic effect via level of submersion
• Vary buoyancy force effect via level of submersion
• Vary drag force via changing velocity of movement

Question 6

Therapeutic water range of water

Answer 6

97 to 104 degrees F

Question 7

How does hydrotherapy help wound care

Answer 7

Cleansing properties of water facilitates rehydration & removal of wound debris & necrotic tissue.

Question 8

Contraindications to Hydrotherapy (10)

Answer 8

• Over skin when hot/cold sensation discrimination is severely impaired
• Over macerated tissues
• Over bleeding surface
• Patients with fecal/urinary incontinence
• Patients with fever
• Patients with multiple sclerosis
• Patients allergic to additive solutions
• Women in 1st trimester of pregnancy (only hot water immersion)
• Patients with severe cardiac/respiratory disorders
• Confused or unreliable patients

Question 9

Five risks of hydrotherapy

Answer 9

• Thermal skin damage
• Macro shock &
electrocution
• Falling
• Fainting & drowning
• Pathogen transmission
& contamination

Question 10

How is non immersion hydrotherapy delivered

Answer 10

via manual water irrigators (spraying)

Question 11

Whirlpool uses

Answer 11

Used to treat open wounds, for pain control & for exercise but only limited to leg, foot, arm & hand.

Question 12

What is the difference between extremity tanks and Low-boy/Hi-boy tanks

Answer 12

extremity is used for distal extremity, low-boy/hi-boy tanks are for larger parts of extremities up to waist immersion

Question 13

Two advantages of whirlpool therapy

Answer 13

• Weak muscles can move easier in water than dry land

* Allows movement while heat/cold is being applied

Question 14

disadvantages of whirlpool therapy (5)

Answer 14

• Size of tank limits amount of exercise & size of area than can be treated
• Requires a large quantity of water
• Risk of infection
• Costly (to heat water &
cleaning the machine)
• Requires more time from therapist to assist patient dressing, get in/out of machine etc.

Question 15

Temperature range of 32 to 79 degrees F has what sensation and what clinical application

Answer 15

cold, acute inflammation

Question 16

Temperature range of 79 to 92 degrees F has what sensation and what clinical application

Answer 16

tepid, medium for exercise and acute inflammation if colder temperature is not tolerated

Question 17

Temperature range of 92 to 96 degrees F has what sensation and what clinical application

Answer 17

Neutral warmth, open wounds, medically compromised patients with circulatory, sensory or cardiac disorders, decrease tone

Question 18

Temperature range of 96 to 98 degrees F has what sensation and what clinical application

Answer 18

mild warmth, increase mobility in burn patients

Question 19

Temperature range of 99 to 104 degrees F has what sensation and what clinical application

Answer 19

Hot, control pain

Question 20

Temperature range of 104 to 110 degrees F has what sensation and what clinical application

Answer 20

increase soft tissue extensibility, chronic conditions, limited body area only

Question 21

Temperature range of >110 degrees F has what sensation and what clinical application

Answer 21

should not be used

Question 22

What is a hubbard tank

Answer 22

• Large whirlpool intended for full body immersion.

* Tank equipped with turbines, stretcher & a hoist to raise & lower the stretcher.

Question 23

what is the hubbard tank used for

Answer 23

Used for wound debridement (i.e. burns covering large areas of body) and for treatment of other painful conditions that affect large areas of the body.

Question 24

advantages of hubbard tank (2)

Answer 24

• Able to treat large areas or multiple areas of body.

* Can be used for heat transfer, debridement of open wounds or for water exercise.

Question 25

disadvantages of hubbard tank (4)

Answer 25

• Costly & requires a lot of space
• Uses large amounts of warm water.
• Very time-consuming (filling, emptying & cleaning tank & also to place patient in the tank for treatment)
• Requires extra precaution with regard to possible systemic effects of overheating since large body area is in contact with the agent.

Question 26

moderate evidence for hydrotherapy exists for (3)

Answer 26

• Delayed muscle soreness/ performance recovery • Perineal/ anal pain
• Dermal wound

Question 27

strong evidence for hydrotherapy exists for (1)

Answer 27

labor pain