Hydrotherapy Flashcards
Immersion therapy
Immersion of body or body parts
Non immersion therapy
Spraying or pouring water onto the body
Primary uses of hydrotherapy
Wound tx
Enhanced environment for therapeutic exercise
Physical properties of water
High specific heat
High thermal conductivity
Provides buoyancy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure
How does water transfer heat?
Conduction & convection
Specific heat & water
High specific heat means water retains 4x as much thermal energy as an equivalent mass of air at same temp
Conductivity and water
High thermal conductivity transfers thermal energy 25x faster than air at same temp
Ability to transfer heat rapidly is good for pt
Buoyancy
Upward force of the water against gravity, exerted on the body
Are humans more or less dense than water?
Less dense, this is why they float
Viscosity
Provides resistance to the body in water
Hydrostatic pressure
Pressure exerted by a fluid on a body immersed in the fluid
It increases with the depth of immersion
Cleansing effects of hydrotherapy
Pressure to remove debris
Dissolved surfactants and anti microbials to assist with cleansing
Musculoskeletal effects & specific uses for water
Decreased weight bearing Strengthening Effects on bone density loss Less fat loss than with on land exercise Closed/open chain Helps w fibromyalgia
Cardiovascular effects & water uses
Increased venous circulation
Increased cardiac volume
Increased cardiac output
Decreased HR, systolic BP, and VO2 to exercise
Good cardio for those w poor tolerance for land exercise
Respiratory effects
Decreased vital capacity
Increased work of breathing
Decreased exercise induced asthma
