Hydrotherapy Flashcards
Maintenance of the bodies temperature is known as?
Thermoregulation
What is the bodies core temperature around?
37 degrees
How many degrees coolers is the shell temperature of the body to the core temperature?
1-6 degrees
What are the four functions of the skin?
Protection, thermal regulation, absorption, excretion
What detects temperature?
thermorecepters in the skin
What part of the brain acts as are thermostat for the body by heat conservation and heat releasing mechanisms in the body?
Hypothalamus
How do blood vessels contribute to thermoregulation?
by Changing diameter and therefore controlling blood flow in response to temperature stmuli
Blood vessels restricting in response to cold is known as?
Vasoconstriction
Blood vessels widening in response to heat is known as?
Vasodilation
Which liquid has the highest heat capacity?
Water
What temperatures can skin tolerate?
0-44 degrees
Define conduction?
exchange of heat between two surfaces that are in direct contact with each other eg thermophore
Define convection?
Result of movement of heated gas or liquid between two surfaces at a different temperature e.g sauna
Define Radiation?
The transfer of heat between objects via infrared rays that are not in direct contact e.g the heat the body absorbs in the sunshine
Define evaporation?
conversion of liquid to a vapor e.g perspiration as sweat evaporates from the skins surface, it removes heat from the body
Define conversion?
No externally applied heat e.g ultrasound
What is the local effect of hydrotherapy?
occur in specific area of a hydrotherapy application.
Increasing decreasing blood flow, altering local immune responses, improving tissue pliability, decreasing pain
What is a reflex effect to hydrotherapy?
Effects that occur in the nervous system
Physiological changes in deeper tissues/ organs or in other parts of the body
What a systemic effect of hydrotherapy?
Changes in blood pressure, venous return
How does a skin discrimination test work?
Response to different temperatures on the skin. Can they feel temperature stimulus accurately.
How is the patch test used in hydrotherapy?
Is there allergy to ice?
What is the nail bed test used for?
Used for patients with vascular disorders or to ensure compression from an ice bandage is not restricting blood flow to distal tissues too much
What is the minimum temperature difference between the stimulus and the skin to create a reaction?
10 degrees
What are some absolute general contraindications to hydrotherapy?
Inebriation
Unknown systemic condition
fainting
chronic congestive heart failure
What are some absolute local contraindications to hydrotherapy?
Not appropriate on a specific area Gangrene Acute arteritis vasomotor paralysis open wounds, lesions during radiation therapy
What are some general contraindications to hydrotherapy?
Asthma aneurysm severe emphysema epilepsy Diabetes hypertension Medications that affect the perception of pain
What are some absolute contraindications to heat application?
Acute and sub-acute inflammation pre gangrene neuritis skin is burned during vascular headaches
What are some cautions for heat applications?
presence of pins, wires, staples, artificial joints or implants
The primary response of the body to heat is known as what?
Passive derivation
What is passive hyperemia?
The resulting increase in blood flow in the area can be seen as redness of the skin
What are some direct effects heat has on soft tissue?
Heat increases fascial excursion, decreases joint stiffness
What are some indications for heat?
Chronic pain
chronic elevated resting tension
trigger points
What is Fomentations ?
A fomentation is a hot moist compress either encased in or covered with a dry layer that provides prolonged heat
What is a hydrocollator?
A clay or silica-gel filled pack soaked in hot water to provide prolonged, moist heat.
How many towels and layers should be wrapped around the hydrocollator?
3-5 layers
Layers can be removed as it cools
What are some contraindications for the hydrocollator?
fragile bone
unstable joints
What is the duration of time that a hydrocollator should be left on a patient?
10-20 mins
What is paraffin wax used for?
Smaller treatment areas
Scar
adhensions
specific area of tension
What happens when you plug in paraffin wax?
It heats up a temperature higher than therapeutic temperature in order to self sterilize. Wait 10 minutes before using it
How many layers of wax should be painted on to effective? and which layer should be the largest?
8-10 layers
First Layer
What is the paraffin wax wrapped with after the layers are added?
saran wrap followed by a towel and then an additional heat source and is left on for 10-20 minutes
What is the process of alternating hot towels?
Towels are soaked in a bucket hot water
Wring out the towel and apply to the area of the body to be treated
When the towel begins to cool, place a dry towel over the application and apply a fresh hot towel on top. Turn all three towels over and remove the cooled towel that is now on top.
Repeat for 10-20 minutes
What are physiological effects?
Exceptionally healing
Increase circulation locally (mainly when used with a heat source)
Potentially regulates metabolism locally (when used regularly)
